Three Beginnings
Every story begins somewhere. Every beginning sets the stage for the rest of the tale; it tantalizes us with hints of what’s coming next and shows us a bit of the world we’re about to enter, a bit of the characters we’re about to spend time with, and a bit of the plot we’re about to become (hopefully) swept away by.
Recently, my boss handed me three comics I’d never heard of and asked me to review them. I had no idea what to expect from these comics and I had even less of an idea what these comics were about. The only thing they had in common is that they were all beginnings.
The A-Team War Stories: B.A. by IDW
Writer: Chuck Dixon & Erik Burnham
Artist: Casey Maloney
Colors: Michael Gaydos
32p FC $3.99
A prequel to this summer’s most anticipated movie! Sgt. Bosco “B.A.” Baracus is the kind of man you want on your side in a tough situation-which is why he was sent into Kuwait City to help retrieve weapons stolen from the coalition during Desert Storm. But when B.A. learns that this particular mission isn’t exactly what he was told, you’ll pity the fool that tried to lie to him.
So yeah. I watched the A-Team when I was a kid. It was in the same block as Knight Rider and Airwolf. I’ll admit, I never really thought of the show as having a plot, but it had lots of fun characters, awesome explosions and campy montages to catchy theme music. And it had Mr T.
Now, I’m pretty ignorant of pop-culture unless it comes out in book, comic, or graphic novel form, so of course I learned about the new A-Team Movie when I picked up this new IDW comic. Remakes of TV shows and old movies usually leave me skeptical and I usually wait until I can watch them for free before I give them a try.
Me and my skepticism are both looking forward to the A-Team Movie this summer. I even marked it on my calendar. I might be 30-years-old, but I still love me some good explosions and campy montages – but I love good characters even more. Sgt. B.A. Baracus certainly looks to be a good character. Chuck Dixon is in his element (military fiction) and does his usual smooth and subtle job with dialogue and narrative, carrying a dynamic story forward without so much as a hiccough.
Army Airborne Ranger Sgt. Bosco ‘B.A.’ Baracus is a rare breed of honest man and genuine patriot from the worst kind of neighborhood who goes out of his way to help a friend. When it appears an officer had a shipment of weapons stolen out from under him by some would-be gangstas, B.A. agrees to go on a clandestine mission to retrieve them.
Overcoming a horrid fear of flying, B.A. and two other rangers fly in to Kuwait City and after B.A. showcases his mad skills behind the wheel of a humvee by dodging rockets, he uncovers the real story behind the missing weapons. Dixon and Burnham stay true to the iconic character and to Mr. T’s portrayal of him while successfully updating the character for a more modern audience. B.A. Baracus is not only a real hero, he’s an honest man, even to his own detriment. He’s a character that has some to appeal to everyone and has me looking forward to his part in the new movie.
The comic is fast-paced, well-written and is a fantastic beginning. If this were the first issue of a new series, it would be on my pull list.
Dragon Age by
EA Comics and IDW
Writer: Orson Scott Card & Aaron Johnson
Art: Mark Robinson and Jason P. Martin
32p FC $3.99
Hailed as ‘the RPG of the Decade’ by PC Gamer magazine, Dragon Age: Origins has redefined the modern fantasy role-playing game. Now, the innovative game from BioWare becomes the latest hit comic from EA Comics! In a time lost to history, a war ravaged the land. Mages, incredibly powerful wielders of magic, ruled the world through mastery of dark arts and forbidden spells. Their lust for power almost destroyed all existence, and unleashed an unholy pestilence, the Darkspawn, to plague mankind, trolls, faeries, and all the inhabitants of the realm. Now magic is carefully controlled, taught behind the sacred walls of the Circle of Magi, and monitored by the ever-vigilant Templars. It is in this arena that a new generation of Mages in training will arise, warriors of sorcery who will defy the rules of the Templars and change the course of the world forever.
True story: I haven’t played all that many video games since the Atari 2800 was popular. I only know of Bioware by reputation. I haven’t ever played any of their games (which reflects on me far more than them, I assure you.) Thankfully, I’m not having to review what appears to be a fantastic game; I got to read their comic instead.
As a veteran of both comics and sci-fi/fantasy books, Orson Scott Card is a name I am more than familiar with; he’s controversial, vocal, talented, prolific in several mediums and genres, and famous. What would make him adapt a game to comic form?
It didn’t take me long to find out. Dragon Age is a fascinating and well-developed world. Even those of us who aren’t familiar with the game universe can sink our proverbial teeth into this tragic story. The world is rich and well-developed, but the reader isn’t lost as they are introduced to the apprentice mage Veness and the young Templar Sadatt.
Despite coming from sects that traditionally hate each other, they follow in the immortal footsteps of Romeo & Juliet (or Anakin Skywalker and Padme Amidala) by falling in love and starting a clandestine affair despite possible (and wonderfully vague) consequences. However, Sadatt decides to stay true to his duty and leaves Veness behind, despite his unwillingness to kill. Unfortunately for Sadatt, biology and bad luck conspire, and Veness turns up pregnant. Another apprentice Mage, Abernath, takes credit for the child. As it turns out, Mages aren’t supposed to breed with each other! However, the chief Templar has mercy and agrees they should be non-lethally punished and the child used for his own ends.
Abernath confesses his love, Veness runs away and Sadatt is sent after him – and that’s where things get intense, interesting and gripping. If Bioware‘s game is even half this complex, then I can see why it’s popular!
The art follows the latest trend of looking a bit cartoonish, but it works well for the story and the colors are fantastic and vibrant. This is a fantasy world – and a story – well worth reading. Despite the ending (which I won’t even hint at!), this story begins a tale that will span generations and probably change the face of the entire world its set in.
Considering I’m looking forward to issue #2, it’s a good beginning.
Eternal Descent by IDW
Writer:
Llexi Leon
Art: Jason Metcalf
32p FC $3.99
Welcome to a city where lost souls lurk in every shadow and darkness veils sinister designs, where heavy metal could be the key to salvation…or the gateway to destruction. A fallen hero, a twisted demon, one gorgeous succubus, and an army of chart-topping guitar heroes: the pieces are in place. The Descent
begins. Written by Llexi Leon and illustrated by Jason Metcalf. Incentive Cover by Syzmond Kudranski & Svee Wheeler. Created in conjunction with ESP Guitars and Marshall Amplification.
Whoa.
This one? Way out there. I’ve seen the concept before – we all have: angels and demons and strange places between heaven and hell, all duking it out on Earth with cosmic power being wielded by ancient and unknowable beings that strive to make some kind of connection to the humans they fight over. There are mysterious rules that govern thier conflict and they invariably look like rock stars.
These guys? They are rock stars.
It’s like…Guitar Hero meets
Fallen Angel.
(And no. I haven’t ever played Guitar Hero.) Lyla, a young and hot musician with a drinking problem ends up meeting a bum who, along with a few hundred of his closest dark servants, tries to eat her soul and otherwise violently kill her. Even after she throws the bum a bit of money for his next beer. After all, she gets that life sucks.
What’s a good story about good vs. evil without the angsty, rule-breaking, brooding and somberly hot hero to swoop in (literally – he’s got wings) and save the day? Sirian, who is to all appearances and hints, an angel, swoops in and starts kicking butt (he doesn’t bother with taking names) while Lyra runs away like a smart girl. The dark servants are, of course, in hot pursuit.
While Sirian uses a mystical guitar to call down cosmic power to fry the bad guys, Lyran falls off a fire escape to her doom. (Because, like all good heroines, she ran up the stairs to a rooftop to avoid a dead-end alley.) Her doom turns out to be falling through the
sidewalk into what we later learn is called the Morass. Sirian dives in after her, rescues her and takes her to a church, has an unfriendly chat with a Big Bad (who we assume is the demon). The reader finds out that rescuing Lyra from the Morass was against The Rules and there will be Dire Consequences.
And there are.
Those Dire Consequences? Not what I expected, and I can truthfully tell you that I’ve read dozens of angels vs. demons tales (many of them in comics, many of them good.) Not only does the hero slay evil with guitar riffs even Bill & Ted would envy, he does so with enviable style and an sense of irony.
This is story is going to be fun, y’all. As beginnings go, it had me shaking my head in amusement and nodding in appreciation by turns and still left me wondering just how Sirian is going to clean up the mess he made.
All comics reviewed are out this week and are available at your local Dragon’s Lair Comics & Fantasy®!
