Larry Young's AiT/PlanetLAR has done it again. Rob Osbourne's new book, 1000 Steps To World Domination is just shy of genius. Taken from previously-released minicomics, this handsome square-bound collection details Rob's efforts to stop being just a guy who draws funnies at night while working as a sales assistant to being complete master of the world through comics. Osbourne's self-effacing humor is never too cloying or "aw, shucks, look at me," and the scenes with his wife made me laugh out loud. His art, like many creators who've gotten pushed through to AIT, isn't right for DC or Marvel, but is perfect for this sort of storytelling. In a near-German show of efficiency, his pages usually stuck to a four-panel layout, which reads quickly and there's a neat subliminal kick when he shifts to a different layout for the occasional appearance from God or the Monkey.
Yes, there's a monkey in it. I know what you're thinking. Shut up. That's not the only reason I like this. I listed a few others. C'mon, man. Cut me some slack.
In conclusion (how bad is a "review" if they break out this hoary old chestnut?), this is a testament to one man's attempt at following his dreams. As I recently left a decent-paying software sales gig to make pennies writing (and I'm much happier, if poorer,) I can empathize pretty heavily with Osbourne. For $13, you could do a lot worse than this.
