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The Pro (comics)
Encyclopedia
The Pro is a prestige format
one-shot comic book
written by Garth Ennis
, with pencils and lettering by Amanda Conner
and inks by Jimmy Palmiotti
. It was originally published by Image Comics
in 2002
.
of mainstream superhero comics, it details the brief career of a prostitute given superhuman powers by the Viewer (himself a voyeuristic, perverted parody of Uatu the Watcher
from the Marvel Comics
universe) she reluctantly joins the League of Honor, composed of:
Together they fight an array of lackluster villains such as The Noun and The Adverb, until her coarse language and actions, violence, bloody retributions, and her giving The Saint a blowjob result in her being expelled from the League. She rejoins them to fight a terrorist attack, flying into space holding a nuclear bomb facing certain death (more in an effort to save the life of her young child than anyone else in the vicinity).
There is another related 8 page story entitled "The Pro Vs. The Ho" in which the Pro squares off with a 12-armed prostitute. In the story, the Ho received powers in much the same way that the Pro does via the alien "Viewer" that orbits the Earth in a cloaked ship. Because the Pro has superpowers, she is able to perform her "duties" using superspeed. The problem arises when several of the Johns complain that by the time they relax enough to enjoy themselves, their "job" is over. In springs the Ho, talking sassy and very stereotypical of what people believe African-American women are like. The Pro knocks her into the river and eventually goes to save her because she screams that she is drowning and can not swim. Once saved, the Ho begins to speak more calmly and more educated to the Pro. She tells her of how she did not ask for powers and that all she ever wanted to do was work with small animals as a veterinarian
. The Pro gets an idea and takes the Ho to animal husbandry facility where she uses all 12 of her arms to "service" the animals for breeding.
or Ellen Muth
as the lead.
The 80-page new edition sold out and has had to be reprinted , thus Image's decision to reprint the Oversized version in paperback.
Prestige format
Prestige format is a term coined by DC Comics and later came into wider use to refer to a square-bound comic book with cardstock covers. A prestige format comic book is usually longer than a normal, stapled 32-page comic...
one-shot comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
written by Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis
Garth Ennis is a Northern Irish comics writer, best known for the Vertigo series Preacher with artist Steve Dillon and his successful nine-year run on Marvel Comics' Punisher franchise...
, with pencils and lettering by Amanda Conner
Amanda Conner
Amanda Conner is an Irish-American comic book artist and commercial art illustrator. She began her career in the late 1980s for Archie Comics and Marvel Comics, before moving on to contribute work for Claypool Comics' Soulsearchers and Company and Harris Comics' Vampirella in the 1990s...
and inks by Jimmy Palmiotti
Jimmy Palmiotti
James "Jimmy" Palmiotti is an American writer and inker of comic books, who also does writing for games, television and film.-Early life:Palmiotti is a graduate of the High School of Art and Design in New York City.-Career:...
. It was originally published by Image Comics
Image Comics
Image Comics is a United States comic book publisher. It was founded in 1992 by high-profile illustrators as a venue where creators could publish their material without giving up the copyrights to the characters they created, as creator-owned properties. It was immediately successful, and remains...
in 2002
2002 in comics
-March:* Adventures of Superman #600: super-sized anniversary issue by Joe Casey, Mike Wieringo, and Jose Marzan, Jr. -April:* Batman #600: "Bruce Wayne: Fugitive," part one, 64-page giant, written by Ed Brubaker.-January:...
.
Plot
A parodyParody
A parody , in current usage, is an imitative work created to mock, comment on, or trivialise an original work, its subject, author, style, or some other target, by means of humorous, satiric or ironic imitation...
of mainstream superhero comics, it details the brief career of a prostitute given superhuman powers by the Viewer (himself a voyeuristic, perverted parody of Uatu the Watcher
Uatu
Uatu, often simply known as The Watcher, is a fictional character that appears in comic books published by Marvel Comics. Created by writer Stan Lee and designed by artist Jack Kirby, he first appeared in The Fantastic Four #13 ....
from the Marvel Comics
Marvel Comics
Marvel Worldwide, Inc., commonly referred to as Marvel Comics and formerly Marvel Publishing, Inc. and Marvel Comics Group, is an American company that publishes comic books and related media...
universe) she reluctantly joins the League of Honor, composed of:
- The Saint (a SupermanSupermanSuperman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
parody) - The Knight (a BatmanBatmanBatman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
parody) - The Squire (a RobinRobin (comics)Robin is the name of several fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics, originally created by Bob Kane, Bill Finger and Jerry Robinson, as a junior counterpart to DC Comics superhero Batman...
parody) - The Lady (a Wonder WomanWonder WomanWonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
parody) - The Lime (a Green LanternGreen LanternThe Green Lantern is the shared primary alias of several fictional characters, superheroes appearing in comic books published by DC Comics. The first Green Lantern was created by writer Bill Finger and artist Martin Nodell in All-American Comics #16 .Each Green Lantern possesses a power ring and...
parody) - Speedo (a FlashFlash (comics)The Flash is a name shared by several fictional comic book superheroes from the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Harry Lampert, the original Flash first appeared in Flash Comics #1 ....
parody)
Together they fight an array of lackluster villains such as The Noun and The Adverb, until her coarse language and actions, violence, bloody retributions, and her giving The Saint a blowjob result in her being expelled from the League. She rejoins them to fight a terrorist attack, flying into space holding a nuclear bomb facing certain death (more in an effort to save the life of her young child than anyone else in the vicinity).
There is another related 8 page story entitled "The Pro Vs. The Ho" in which the Pro squares off with a 12-armed prostitute. In the story, the Ho received powers in much the same way that the Pro does via the alien "Viewer" that orbits the Earth in a cloaked ship. Because the Pro has superpowers, she is able to perform her "duties" using superspeed. The problem arises when several of the Johns complain that by the time they relax enough to enjoy themselves, their "job" is over. In springs the Ho, talking sassy and very stereotypical of what people believe African-American women are like. The Pro knocks her into the river and eventually goes to save her because she screams that she is drowning and can not swim. Once saved, the Ho begins to speak more calmly and more educated to the Pro. She tells her of how she did not ask for powers and that all she ever wanted to do was work with small animals as a veterinarian
Veterinarian
A veterinary physician, colloquially called a vet, shortened from veterinarian or veterinary surgeon , is a professional who treats disease, disorder and injury in animals....
. The Pro gets an idea and takes the Ho to animal husbandry facility where she uses all 12 of her arms to "service" the animals for breeding.
Side Projects
On June 15, 2010 5finity Productions released a limited edition sketch card series, including original art by Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmotti and notable sketch card artists.Film
On October 12, 2009, Conner and Palmotti proposed a live-action adaptation of the graphic novel. They have said that they would like to have either Sarah SilvermanSarah Silverman
Sarah Kate Silverman is a Jewish American comedian, writer, actress, singer and musician. Her satirical comedy addresses social taboos and controversial topics such as racism, sexism, and religion....
or Ellen Muth
Ellen Muth
Ellen Anna Muth is an American actress, known for her role as George Lass in Showtime's series Dead Like Me. Muth is a member of Intertel and Mensa.-Career:...
as the lead.
Collected editions
Three volumes collect both of The Pro's adventures:- Pro Oversized (72 pages, deluxe, oversized and hardcover, November, 2004, ISBN 158240383X)
- Pro (80 pages, paperback, September 2007, ISBN 1582408505)
- Pro (72 pages, paperback reprint of Pro Oversized, June 2010, ISBN TBA)
The 80-page new edition sold out and has had to be reprinted , thus Image's decision to reprint the Oversized version in paperback.
External links
- Ho Power, Tucson WeeklyTucson WeeklyThe Tucson Weekly is an alternative newsweekly that was founded in 1984 by Douglas Biggers and Mark Goehring, and serves the Tucson, Arizona metropolitan area of about 900,000 residents. The paper is a member of the Association of Alternative Newsweeklies...
, September 26, 2002 - Pro review, Comics BulletinComics BulletinComics Bulletin is a website with an emphasis on the American comic book industry, updated daily with news, reviews, interviews, and editorial content. Coverage ranges from mainstream to independent/small press comic book and graphic novel publishers.-History:...
, August 16, 2002 - Review of latest edition, Comics BulletinComics BulletinComics Bulletin is a website with an emphasis on the American comic book industry, updated daily with news, reviews, interviews, and editorial content. Coverage ranges from mainstream to independent/small press comic book and graphic novel publishers.-History:...
, September 26, 2007 - The Pro sketch cards from 5Finity
- The Pro review at 1FOE.com