Shark-Man #1 – Review

By: Michael Town, David Elliott & Ronald Shusett (Creation & Story), Steve Pugh (Design, Script & Art)

What a great surprise this comic turned out to be. I picked it up joking about the name, and thought that the story would be lame and ridiculous. My preconceptions were totally wrong. Shark-Man rocks! Shame on me.

The story follows Shark-Man in the middle of a crisis. The bank at his utopian city (New Venice) is being drawn out of funds and a near by cruise is being attacked by pirates. Shark-Man does what any hero does: Help those in need. To his dismay, he’s unable to rescue any survivors. When he returns to his shark cave, he finds out the city government is after him, blaming him for the theft! The problems escalate from here, but I’ll let you find out for yourself.

The script is full of action and the bad guys are ferociously designed. Pugh does an excellent job in the art department – especially with his coloring. Hats off to him. With retooled story and art, this issue is a remake of the same book released two years ago by an independent publisher. The company sunk after #2 was published.

People are buying a comic about a bat man, and nobody is joking or mocking about it. This hero needs to be where it belongs, with the high rollers. (Grade: A)

-Daniel Yanez

A Second Opinion

I totally agree with Daniel on this one. In fact, were it not for his recommendation, I would have skipped this book altogether. Don’t be fooled by the name, Shark-Man is an intriguing title packed to the gills (pun intended) with some of the best comic art you’ll ever see. And then there’s Gynplaine – this villain is the stuff of nightmares!

Steve Pugh is one hell of a talent. I can’t wait for issue #2! (Grade: B+)

– J.Montes