Reviewed by: Mathan “World Storm Fiend” Erhardt
Story title: Killing Machine Part One
Written by: Garth Ennis
Penciled by: Christ Sprouse
Inked by: Karl Story
Colored by: Randy Mayor
Lettered by: Phil Balsman
Editor: Scott Dunbier
Publisher: Wildstorm/DC Comics
The issue begins with Midnighter, tired of just hanging out with the Authority and itching for some action. So he literally spins a globe and randomly picks a country to visit. He ends up in Afghanistan.
Once there he sticks up for the little guy, which means he’s up against some white guys in tanks who sound suspiciously like Americans. He makes short work of them and then uses one to send a message.
While traveling through a door back to the Carrier, he is, effectively, jumped. Beaten unconscious, he ends up in the hands of a dashing gent who seems to have incapacitated Midnighter or at least some of his abilities. He explains why Midnighter is in the position that he is and explains that resistance is futile. Midnighter refuses to believe and gets yet another beatdown.
He awakes to someone attempting to rescue him. But it’s a short attempt and ends horribly. The dashing gent explains that the guy trying to rescue Midnighter should be viewed as an example of what would happen should Midnighter not go along with the plan. The plan? To kill a great menace to the world.
I was very curious to see how this book would be set up, what with Midnighter being in the Authority and all. The reasoning is sold. But Midnighter’s target seems almost cliché at this point. The reveal has a novelty, but it’s a short one. The dialogue and the characters and even the situation is strong. But that reveal is kind of cheesy.
Artwise, Sprouse and Story make a hell of a team. Midnighter looks great. The scenes where Midnighter gets beaten, and there’re plenty of them, really illustrate the violence well. The gore and violence don’t really seem over the top, but they are graphic depictions. My only real problem is that Spruce and Story kind of make Midnighter seem, stiff. He doesn’t seem smooth or fluid. But it’s a minor complaint.
