Hey, I can understand how Masters of the Universe might be popular enough to merit spinoff books, but Icons of Evil. Skeletor's bumbling henchmen are far from "icons" of any sort, and proclaiming them as such doesn't bring any added depth or appeal. Still, I enjoy Robert Kirkman's work, and he tells an action-packed (though inconsequential) story that piques the reader's interest... but not in the title character.
A sorceror named Keldor searches Eternia for a being of unlimited strength and savagery, someone he can enslave to his own will in order to achieve his dreams of conquest. A mysterious shaman points him in the right direction -- and gives Keldor a bit of a power boost -- and before long, the sorceror finds himself face-to-fangs with Beastman. They do not get along, but before they can determine who's the more ruthless and powerful between them, they suddenly find themselves with a common enemy... one who seems them as dinner courses, not prisoners.
Moore's artwork is sharply detailed, but still captures the simpler, cartoony tone of the TV property upon which this comic book is based. The inhuman monsters and were-beasts that populate the story exude power and menace, and the settings are varied and exotic. The colors are crisp, and they bring out the energy of Keldor's powers quite well. That being said, there aren't many visuals in the book that really wow the reader. The storytelling is capable, but given the larger-than-life characters, there's a shortage of larger-than-life visual elements that really grab the audience.
However, maybe my disinterest in the artwork stems from a disinterest in the subject matter. The story here really has nothing to do with Beastman... it's about Keldor. The question that the story brings up: is Keldor the original name and face of the villain that will one day become Skeletor? The problem is that the question isn't a compelling one. The Masters of the Universe characters are so one-dimensional that origin stories aren't really something the fans are looking for. Skeletor is evil because he needs to be, because He-Man needs an arch-enemy. Nothing more.
Another problem with the story here is that there's no one to cheer for. Every character is an antagonist, and there is no hero. I suppose one could argue that the reader is meant to pity Beastman by the end of the issue, but his capitulation in the face of adversity doesn't really make sense. His ferocity earlier on leads the reader to believe that he's simply a creature of pure violence and rage, nothing more, and the supplicant side of his character seems to come from out of nowhere.
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
