Decoy, created by artist Courtney Huddleston, is now into its second miniseries from Penny Farthing Press. It's about a mute shape-changing alien who's trapped on Earth and is taken in by a cop who has to hide him from everyone.

It comes across generally as though it would be a great concept for a children's cartoon show if it wasn't for the minor point that the New Schmoo's lawyers would be straight on the phone. It isn't a rip-off of that show, but there are enough similarities to make it a glaringly obvious comparison. The character design is cute, though - a cuddly green blob with conspiracy-theory grey slanted eyes.

Although Huddleston created the character and is drawing the mini, it's actually written by Buddy Scalera. He's probably best known in these parts as Jimmy Palmiotti's co-writer on Deadpool, and in fairness, some of those issues - particularly the final one which Scalera wrote on his own - weren't at all bad. This issue is played pretty much straight as a fun adventure story skewing towards the younger readers, and it works quite well on that level.

Huddleston's art is attractively clean and clear, and it sells most of the visual gags well - though it does struggle with a couple of particularly elaborate set pieces. Generally, it's a well told story.

A cute concept which is really aimed at a younger audience than me. It's doing a crossover with Herobear And The Kid this year, which will probably be a good fit.

Rating: B

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