Review: Six Million Dollar Man #1

The Six Million Dollar Man is not a property that has much cache“ with today“s audience. One could ask why bother making a comic for a property that has not been relevant for decades. Well, Dynamite has recently shown with series like The Lone Ranger, Mars Attacks!, and Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt that great comics can come from anywhere. So does that streak continue with Six Million Dollar Man #1? Unfortunately, the short answer is no. Where those series took a past property and found ways to revitalize what once was, this did not bring the same level of excitement.

Taking place in the 1970s this is a very different version of Steve Austen. Gone is the stoic Lee Majors and in his place is a goofy and insecure agent that acts like a bright-eyed kid playing with a new toy. Agent Niko Abe takes over the more serious role as she is attempting to stop a madman with missiles. When a team is sent to help her on this mission she is insulted to learn that team is one man, Steve Austen. She soon finds out that this man is the best thing that money can currently buy.

Although taking place in the 70“s it is very much written with more modern sensibilities. The sardonic wit and back and forth between Austen and Niko is much more akin to what we see today than during than back when the show was regularly airing. Niko and Austen“s back and forth are so far the series strength, especially Austen determination to try to mend fences and get Niko to like him. He is like the ultimate antithesis to James Bond as he is bright-eyed and cheery and still a little unsure of himself.

That is something to build on so there is a reason to have hope for what is to come. Outside of that element, the issue came off as sparse and lacking punch. The narrative and conflict so far are a bit paint by numbers and there are not those additional elements that make it stand on its own. It is one thing to leave room to grow it is another to leave without a solid foundation of what this book will be outside the quirkiness.

David Hahn“s art is strong when it comes to character designs and conveying the humor effectively. There“s a fantastic site gag when Austen first uses his bionic legs. It is probably the best moment in the entire issue. Â However, when the bigger action moments start the movement is more static. You never get the sense you are watching the actions of a human cyborg.

Final Thoughts:

Dynamite has been having a bit of a resonance lately with a number of their licensed books being the best they ever have been. Showing that the right creative team can make anything work. The Six Million Dollar Man #1 has its moments but does not do enough to stand out from an ever-growing field.

[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]

Writer: Christopher Hastings
Artist: David Hahn
Colors: Roshan Kurichiyanil
Letters By: Ariana Maher

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Daniel Clark

A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.