4 Kids Walk Into A Bank – 2016-2017 (Blask Mask Studios) – Crime, Thriller, Comedy
Author: Matthew Rosenberg
Art: Tyler Boss
Series Contents: 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank #1-5
A total blast of a read, 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank features fantastic characters and amazing dialogue filling a great crime tale.
Story:
It is the early 1970s. Tough girl 12-year-old Paige Turner hangs out with her friends “never-wrong” Daniel Berger, tall and skinny Pat “Stretch” Schramm, and the quiet under spoken science nerd Walter Johnson. They love everything from D&D to arcade games to remote control cars to ice cream. Typical kid shit. Yet, they are fairly intelligent and mature in many ways, while also being totally child like in most all others.
Life is both good as they are young and having fun, but also bad because they have to go to school, and there are typical issues there like shithead bullies, and homework. Paige’s single dad tries to keep her on the rails and their lives on track and mostly has succeeded lately as they are happy with their lives while scraping by, even if he is not a good cook and meals are lacking.
But… the lives of all aforementioned characters are fully turned on their heads one night as Mr. Turner goes to take the kids for a frozen treat. While about to leave the house, the kids bump into a group of dark criminals wanting to come in, namely Hayes, Vernon, Silk and Skinhead Mike. They are looking for Mr. Turner, and mean business. Hell, they even introduce themselves as bad guys, so we know they are up to no good.
The kids immediately put up a fight, and things get saucy. First blood is drawn. Also, an orc figurine is sling-shotted into an eyeball. Mr. Turner shows up with a shotgun at the right time. Things are off to quite a start, and this is only the first few pages which are setting up the awesome tale to come. Come take a trip with these extremely entertaining kids and a criminal adventure that is about to befall them.
4 Kids Walk Into A Bank is a great story that will keep you driving along through all the issues as quickly as you can turn the pages. It’s a pretty quick tale, but it is chock full of great ideas and wonderful execution. It focuses on the kids and is brimming with life overall, as well as being packed full of fun details which is mostly covered in the art section.
The dialogue is absolutely winning at all times. The entertainment value is veryyyy high based on this factor alone, however the story is also quite enthralling and delivers on multiple levels. It is hard to anticipate, but balanced with crime and hilarity. As a reader you are rooting for your group of friends that you have made while reading, as well as wondering how this is all going to play out. The pacing is great and features tense scenes which are quelled by tons of comedic lines and moments of relief.
This will be a movie later in 2026.
Art:
The art is great and makes it feel like the classic 70s setting that it takes place in. There is plenty of detail, including tons of hidden gems to find while scouring the pages. The layout design is often fun, and almost storyboard/movie like, and even includes some nice blueprint/top-down views. The motion in the scenes brings out the action when it happens, and everything gels quite well with the script. It is quite imaginative to match the kids’ inner thoughts or game playing which is a total blast. Overall, it is a lot of fun and adds another layer of excitement and exploration to the story.
Reasons to Read:
The script is an absolute riot, which is full of comedic gold and amazing dialogue while presenting a really good crime story despite being focused on 11/12-year-old kids. That factor does not diminish the criminal element, and instead it heightens some of the tension during moments of violence and angst. It also adds another layer of authority or two, as teachers and grown-ups provide road blocks to goals, on top of the typical cops and security guards that adults would face. It is well paced and plotted, and should bring a smile to your face while you race through the excellent story to its fun climax.
Similar Titles:
We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us; Friday; Bubble; Youth Group; Thirsty Mermaids; Grommets; Locke & Key; Ladykiller