Review: Beta Ray Bill #1

Now this is what comics should be. Daniel Warren Johnson puts his foot on the pedal and does not let up. First with incredible action and then with emotional devastation. This is a book with massive stakes, massive battles and massive heartbreak put together with a power and punch like we have never seen.

Daniel Warren Johnson’s work on Beta Ray Bill elevates the entire genre with its intelligence, scale, character work and sheer grandeur. The issue fills in the tragic beginnings of Beta Ray being taken from his family and transformed into a cyborg warrior. He was previously able to revert to his normal form with the Asgardian Hammer Stormbreaker but Thor destroyed this in his quest to aid Galactus beat back a larger foe whatever the cost.

Bill is now on Asgard acting as leader while Thor is off fighting the King in Black. Unfortunately Asgard is not unscathed in this battle and this issue includes a massive attack by a Venomized-Fin Fang Foom.

The art is eye-popping insanity as Bill prepares Asgard for the attack just as Fin Fang Foom crashes through the walls with palpable might. Bill with the aid of Sif, Asgardians and his intelligent ship Skuttlebutt work to hold back the tide of the massive attack. With the intensity of the battle comes the combined intensity of the incredible art, massive lettering, and bombastic inks.

It cannot be overstated the fun that jumps out of every page throughout this book. This is two powerful warriors facing off. Things go from bad to worse for Bill when Thor crashes the party and takes down Foom pushing aside any glory for Beta Ray Bill. The devastating embarrassment for Bill is made worse when Sif wants a relationship but asks Bill to change to his humanoid form. Her disappointment when he tells her this is no longer possible without Stormbreaker is crushing. Thor and Bill have words before Bill and Skuttlebutt leave in an incredible isolated loniness to find Odin and renewed greatness.

This issue represents all that great comics should be, massive action, massive stakes, huge emotion and great character work. The fact that the issue ends with an interview between Johnson and Walter Simonson shows such an appreciation for the character, creators and works that have come before. It adds to our confidence that Johnson is the real thing, a creator who cares about the character and knows how to add to the history of the Marvel Universe rather than simply telling an isolated story. This is a tale steeped in the past but paving a new direction for Beta Ray Bill and comic story-telling.

Writing: 5 of 5 stars
Art: 5 of 5 stars
Colors: 5 of 5 stars

Overall: 5 of 5 stars

Writing: Daniel Warren Johnson
Art: Daniel Warren Johnson
Colors: Mike Spicer
Letters: Joe Sabino with Daniel Warren Johnson
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.