Terror Inc.: Apocalypse Soon #1 – Review

By David Lapham (Writer), Koi Turnbull (Pencils), Scott Hanna (Inks), and Edward Bola & Sotocolor’s C. Garcia (Colors)

The Story: Mr. Terror is immortal, has a big armored left arm, looks like a zombie, and has the ability to attach new body parts (head, arm…you name it) from willing and unwilling donors as needed. He runs Terror Inc. and gets paid by taking on jobs that no one else will. In Apocalypse Soon #1, two stories begin. The first takes place during the spread of the Black Death (A.K.A. The Plague) and is about Mr. Terror’s very first job. He is hired to get revenge and honor the dying wishes of a rich woman wronged by her husband. The second story that begins is about Terror’s latest job, where he is hired to get a sample of a bio-terror weapon and then destroy the facility it is being tested at.

What’s Good: Surly, crass, grotesque, and a lover of sex, Mr. Terror is, quite simply, a blast to read about in a MAX title. David Lapham scores the most points, however, for managing to find a sweet spot between revolting and likeable thanks to Mr. Terror’s soft spot for kids and the less fortunate. It’s a fairly delicate balance, but Lapham pulls it off in a way that seems almost effortless.

The visuals in Terror Inc. #1 are quite nice. The art team deserves a lot of credit for working with two very different settings without sacrificing consistency. Also, Koi Turnbull and his crew do a great job of bringing out both sides of Terror through detailed, busy settings, impressive character work, and brutal, slightly disturbing violence.

What’s Not So Good: The weakest part of the first chapter of Apocalypse Soon is the main story being developed. While it isn’t exactly boring, it feels a bit too predictable. It does show some promise though thanks to a fairly strong finish, so it’s not all bad.

Conclusion: In short, Terror Inc. #1 is a well-written, good-looking book that isn’t afraid to take advantage of the MAX label. The main character rocks and one of the plots being developed is a lot of fun.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

The Immortal Iron Fist #21 – Review

By Duane Swierczynski (writer), Timothy Green (artist), Edward Bola (colorist)

The Story: Just in time for the holidays, Swierczynski delivers what is easily his finest work to date on Iron Fist. Before the next major story arc begins, this on shot tale of eternal hope focuses on the arrival of the Iron Fist of 3099: nine-year old Wah Sing Rand, who has waited twenty-four years to save the planet from tyranny and fight for a better tomorrow.

The Good: Swierczynski’s writing has always been solid, even great at times. However, with this issue he has both enriched the quality of the Iron Fist legacy, and raised the bar for all issues to come.  For a $3 price tag (enjoy them while they last!) you get a complete story that is wildly imaginative and entertaining.  Not only that, but it doesn’t require you to have read a year of back issues to understand what’s going on.

Timothy Green’s art has a wonderful European quality to it that you don’t see often enough in mainstream American comics.  His linework is clean, dynamic, and rarely employs heavy inks, allowing Bola’s colors to shine and animate every page.  I would not mind at all if these guys became the regular art team on the book.

The Not So Good: If I had to pick at something, I would say the cover doesn’t even begin to sell all the coolness inside the comics.  Seeing as Swierczynski drew influences in this issue from movies like Akira and The Matrix, I think a cover designed as an homage to either of those movies may have done a better job promoting this issue.

Conclusion: Swierczysnki’s tale of the future Iron Fist only further proves that he has the vision, imagination, and mad kung fu skills needed to make Iron Fist one of the finest pieces of comic entertainment available to readers today.  Pick up an issue today and see what you’ve been missing!

Grade:  A

-Tony Rakittke