- ROGUE TROOPER #1 – Following on the heels of their successful Judge Dredd comics, IDW brings over another beloved 2000 AD veteran. I’ve liked Rogue Trooper for years ever since I first discovered the character in the old Heavy Metal: War Machine special. Brian Ruckley (The Godless World Trilogy) offers plenty of action — at an overall brisk pace — to this first issue. Alberto (Unknown Soldier, Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E.) Ponticelli‘s art is rougher in spots than it has been in the past, but his fluid storytelling and brutal depictions of some of the book’s more ultra-violent encounters more than make up for the occasional odd line or awkward inking choice. Yet, while the art is relatively on-point, the story doesn’t really have much meat on the bone to compel you to come back again and again. The fights are well thought out and the dialogue is descent, particularly when Helm, Gunnar, or Bagman are communicating with the Trooper. Overall, though enjoyable, expect more of a snack than a meal. 2.5/5.
- VEIL #1 – Creeping towards you from an abandoned subway tunnel located somewhere between “Awww, Hell Naw” and “Oh Holy Shit!” comes this skin crawling debut courtesy of revered creator Greg Rucka (Lazarus). Stylistic, original, and striking. Those are the first three words that sprang to mind while reading this book. Whether through his line work or choice of colors, Tony Fejzula (Cthulhu) provides Veil with a distinct look that sets it apart from other horror books on the shelves today. At least, I think this is a horror book. It’s definitely a book that wears weird like a badge of honor. Rucka throws us a nice twist involving mental possession, a pack of rats who either revere or fear (or both?) a butt naked girl who seems to just be grasping the finer points of human speech through poetry, and some homies who definitely never saw the “I Like You” segment in VHS or they would have ignored the main character and just kept on keeping on. At times, the main character came across like a girl who grew up with William S. Burroughs’ Soft Machine as her only point of reference for English 101. But that’s part of the book’s odd charm. Is she confused, brain-damaged, or something…more? Not much happens, but what does adds to the overall rhythm of the story and is enough to make me want to come back for more. 3.25/5.
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