Mackenzie Queen is a five issue limited series written and drawn by Bernie Mireault. Although much of the story was completed in 1983, it wasn’t published until 1985 when Grabriel Morrissette and Mark Shainblum’s Montreal based publishing company Matrix Graphic Series picked it up. The five issues ran irregularly until 1986.

Although the title suggests otherwise, the story is actually science fiction, reminiscent of A Hitchiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Mackenize Queen is chosen by “the brotherhood” to save the world against the Ice Men who, having destroyed their own planet, would take Earth for themselves. Queen is assisted by an seven-foot tall alien called Ududu, who is a friendly carnivore and who also provides much of the comic relief for the story.

Interestingly, this series has lots of fun bits including a bathroom copy Love and Rockets, published letters from John Bell and Rick Taylor, and some great comic shorts from Jacques Boivin. Also, I loved seeing advertisements for Renegade Press’ Wordsmith and Ms. Tree, the support of which is very characteristic of Canadian comics. In issue three there are pictures of the supporting cast with accompanying comical blurbs for each including Mireault, Morrissette, Shainblum and Boivin, who was apparently 333 years old at the time.

Although the first issue has slightly awkward scripting, Mireault recognizes this citing “It has some rough edges, but keep it anyway”. Stephen Bissette also contributes with some great cover art on books four and five and Jan Harpes also contributing art in book three. Mireault’s art is wonderful and consistent and the final product, all five issues, make an excellent series. Mackenzie Queen is a really great, original story and one of the few that actually got published through to the end, so grab it if you see it, you won’t be disappointed!