WRITER:Â David Michelinie
ARTIST(s): Bret Blevins, John Ridgway, Al Williamson
LETTERER:Â L. Lois Buhalis, Phil Felix
COLORIST:Â Steve Oliff, Petra Scotese
COVER ARTIST(s):Â Blevins
PUBLISHER: Epic Comics
RELEASE DATE:Â 1985-1986
I think, if comic fans were asked to pinpoint a certain decade in comic books where the stories were the most powerful and expressive, most would point to the 1980s. I mean, come on. Watchmen, The Dark Knight Returns, The Killing Joke, A Death in the Family, Year One, The New Teen Titans, V For Vendetta, Animal Man, Swamp Thing, Uncanny X-Men; the list just goes on.
Amidst all of this comic book goodness was a story published under Marvel’s Epic imprint that I, truly, had never heard of until now. A 6-issue miniseries created and written by David Michelinie, it follows a suicidal detective alien and his two companions, a British prostitute with a heart of fool’s gold, and a cowboy who makes some rockin’ chili. It’s a fun and somewhat deep series that enjoyably blends together different styles, from Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who to steampunk and sci-fi. Only thing I must admit is, the dialogue has moments where it goes stiff as all hell.
The art is a tough one for me to decide. On the one hand, it perfectly portrays the Victorian-era English scene. On the other, it’s scratchy, at times overly convoluted with lines, and, if we’re being completely honest here, I’ll admit IÂ really dislike that time period’s dry look, so I’m not entirely confident that has nothing to do with it.
I’m not really sure how to recommend this book to people. I guess, if you like genre-blending, fun, introspective stories, then pick it up. But if you are only a reader of a certain genre or style, this is going to be quite an experience for you anyways. I sure know it was an experience for me.
[wp-review]
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- Cedbill is a Las Vegas-based writer who is the founder and head editor at Coast Comics. He currently writes Phantom Squad, Mars Leighton, and Freedom Rave.
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