EYES ON THE UNIT 44 SERIES PART 3
Gibson and Hatch are dead. RIP. After being killed, Gibson and Hatch find themselves condemned to perpetual torture in Hell. How will they handle it?
Unit 44 is a sci-fi comedy comic series created by Wes Locher and originally launched in 2015. The series follows the misadventures of inept Area 51 agents, Hatch and Gibson, who are tasked with retrieving a storage unit full of top-secret alien artifacts that they accidentally sold at auction which ended up in the hands of the wrong people.
Then, out of nowhere, aliens decide to invade Earth, and the only ones who can save us are the same clumsy duo who messed everything up. Surprisingly, they somehow make it through. The comic series has a unique blend of humor and science fiction, often compared to a sitcom version of the X-Files.
THE CREATIVE TEAM
Unit 44 has been the brainchild of writer Wes Locher since 2015. For Issues #9 and #10, the series features artwork by Aleksandar Jovic and colors by Andrew Pate.
Jovic’s art is expressive and vibrant, capturing the chaotic energy of the characters and their bizarre situations perfectly. Pate’s coloring complements the artwork, making the hellish settings and earthly escapades pop off the page with a vivid, almost cartoonish quality.
THE BOOKS
These issues are presented in a 32-page floppy comic printed on newsprint, offering a nostalgic yet affordable reading experience. The tactile feel of the newspaper-like material adds to the charm, making Unit 44 a unique physical product in today’s digital age. Each issue includes 20 pages of the main story, with additional pages reserved for advertisements and “declassified files,” maintaining the immersive and playful tone of the series.
Issues #9 and #10 continue the series’ episodic nature, where each issue serves as a self-contained story or “Case File.” These latest issues were released in 2024 as part of the ongoing series published by Alterna Comics.
Alterna Comics was founded in 2006 by publisher Peter Simeti. It is the home of a New York Times best-seller, FUBAR Empire of the Rising Dead (2012), and a film adaptation, The Chair (2017), and has gained attention for its modern newsprint initiative and affordable prices. Alterna Comics titles are distributed to readers and retailers worldwide from their online store.
The recent issues maintain the series’ signature blend of humor, focusing on new bizarre and humorous scenarios involving the hapless agents and their attempts to manage alien encounters, conspiracies, and other strange events.
UNIT 44 ISSUE 9
CASE FILE #00070122: ONE HELL OF A MESS
In Issue #9 of Unit 44, our favorite bungling Area 51 agents, Gibson and Hatch, find themselves in an unexpected predicament: they’re dead. After a sudden and mysterious demise, the duo wakes up in the fiery pits of Hell, facing eternal torment.
But this being Gibson and Hatch, they’re not about to accept their fate quietly. Instead, Hatch devises a hilariously outlandish plan to escape from the underworld. What ensues is a riotous adventure filled with failed schemes, close calls, and ridiculousness only these two can conjure. This issue is a standout for its clever use of dark humor and the creative way it tackles the concept of the afterlife.
WEDIGOING GOING…GONE!
At the end of issue 9, there is a 1-page mini-story. The agents are in Minnesota looking for the Wendigo. It seems like their encounters with cryptids will never end.
UNIT 44 ISSUE 10
CASE FILE #00010583: HOWL AT THE MOON
In Issue #10, Gibson and Hatch, having miraculously escaped Hell, are thrown into a new chaotic mission on Earth. This time, they’re investigating a possible werewolf sighting in Vermont, and soon enough they encounter the werewolf.
But in true Unit 44 fashion, finding the werewolf doesn’t go smoothly, instead, they find half-naked men in the forest and a weird lady with anger management issues. How are all of them all connected to the werewolf? That’s a mystery both agents will have to figure out on their own.
BOILING POINT
After working together for years our agents seem to have some personal issues they need to resolve. Will they?
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
ONE HELL OF A MESS
Issue #9 is a fresh and humorous take on the afterlife, flipping the script on what you’d expect from a story set in Hell. The dialogue is sharp, and the visual gags are plentiful, making it a delightful read from start to finish. The humor is dark but never oppressive, balancing the bleak setting with the characters’ trademark clueless optimism.
After finishing his daily torture sessions, Hatch walks by the “Welcome to Hell” sign, which conveniently has a pole with directions to various supposedly hellish places like the hairless cat petting zoo.
I don’t get the “Nickelback Residency” sign. Is it referring to something that happened specifically at their home or is it referring to the hate for the band? I have to admit, I never really understood the American disdain for Nickelback. Back in the ’90s, they were constantly on the pop radio alongside countless other American pop artists. If it was annoying to hear their music constantly, they were not the only ones. And we didn’t have that many pop radio stations most were a combination of local, Caribbean, Latin, and American music.
Then there is the Kevin Costner film festival sign. I’d find a “New Star Trek” festival more unbearable than a Kevin Costner film festival. Given the choice, I’d rather rewatch “Pretty Woman,” “The Bodyguard,” or even “Waterworld” than sit through the generic reboots like “MIB: International,” “Charlie’s Angels,” or “The Crow.”
When I reached the 2 pages with the fights representing the 7 deadly sins, I didn’t get what all the illustrations of the fights represented. Treachery and Gluttony were clear but the others were not so much.
HOWL AT THE MOON
Issue #10 continues this momentum with a lighter, Earth-bound story that plays on classic horror tropes. The introduction of a female werewolf as a character is an interesting addition to the series lore. Gibson and Hatch will have to deal with intense allergies and half-naked men. How will they manage to find the werewolf?
There is a little mystery that keeps you engaged and the story finishes with an open ending leaving you wondering who will be the next werewolf. I mean with these 2 agents you don’t expect them to do something uneventful. It’s how they started in issue #1.
Even though issue 10 has an engaging main story, the hellish story in issue 9 was more entertaining. Each main story and short story has its storytelling style while keeping the tone of the series. I don’t know how else to explain it. The art and coloring work together seamlessly, enhancing the comedic timing and the absurdity of the situations the agents find themselves in.
THE CAMPAIGN
Issues 9 and 10 were part of the Alterna Comics April 2024 Pre-orders Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign which contained only the preorders for four comic book titles. Still, you could also preorder and buy existing issues directly from the Alterna Comics website.
From the April 2024 campaign, I selected directly from the website Unit 44 issues #9 and #10, a collector’s case, the Alterna Series Trading Cards T-BIRD #7, JO #9, and BROOG #16. I received them all plus a Unit 44 issue 10 folded poster and 2 Alterna Series Trading Cards from the King Crypted and Trespasser series.
The updates on the progress of the campaign and delivery dates were shared via email and in the update section of the Indiegogo campaign. The tracking number was provided timely and the package arrived in good condition containing all the items.
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Alterna Comics has thus far good customer service. If you contact them, you’re likely to get a quick response. They’re also organized, providing tracking numbers for your orders, and they usually ship everything in one package. This is beneficial for international customers, as it helps keep shipping costs down and simplifies the process. It’s easy to find updates and insights on social media and YouTube about the Alterna books, making it easy for fans to stay connected with their stories. Many of the creators have their own social media accounts and websites.
Ongoing Alterna comic book titles like Unit 44, Tinseltown, King Cryptid, and many others are worth checking out including the series Trespasser, The XII, Gods and Gears, and Wulf and Batsy. Most of these were limited series that are not reprinted anymore by Alterna and may be difficult to find at a reasonable price. On the other hand, the Wulf and Batsy series is currently published and reprinted directly by its creator so you can find all the issues previously printed readily available to purchase on his website.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Unit 44 Issues #9 and #10 are a testament to the creative team’s ability to keep the series fresh and engaging. The blend of humor, intrigue, science fiction, and supernatural elements continues to set this comic apart.
Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer, these issues are a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good laugh and a cleverly crafted story. The cliffhanger endings leave you eager for more, wondering just what mess Gibson and Hatch will get into next. I bet it’s going to be hilarious.
You can find the history and all the information about Unit 44 on unit44comic.com. All Unit 44 issues can be found on the Alterna Comics online store in physical and digital format. Check them out!
If you’re interested in Eyes on Unit 44 part 1 and part 2 feel free to check them out:
For more interesting titles, check COMIC BOOKS under the “EYES ON” series I documented my experience with crowdfunding entertainment and shared my notes on the products I received.
My notes are all set. Let me know what you think.
See you on the next page!
