On the surface, Future Comics' Deathmask character seemed like little more than your run-of-the-mill Punisher clone, so my interest in this title wasn't all that high. Furthermore, the Future Comics storytelling approach -- which is ironically enough in more of a 1970s, old-fashioned vein -- hasn't really grabbed me so far either. But there's an edge and novel quality to be found in Deathmask, and the creators have piqued my curiosity. They have solid premises, but the characterization and script require more in the way of polish and credibility.
A Native American, haunted by his past and visions of failure in the future, lives in a mysterious retreat in the middle of the Nevada desert, waiting for a call to action. His mission is to put a stop to evil deeds by punishing those who carry them out in horrific ways. He's empowered by a golden mask, and it has enabled him to become a thorn in the side of the most corrupt man in Las Vegas, a tycoon named Adonis Dulac. Dulac is determined to put an end to Deathmask's reign of terror, and on the other side of the law, so is an FBI agent named Dillinger.
I've been a fan of Giordano's work for decades. His work -- and his collaborations with Ross Andru -- was among the first visual style I was able to recognize without checking credits captions in comics. There's an appropriately gritty quality to his linework that's in keeping with the nature of the story, but overall, the artwork is just too bright. The story calls for a mix of noir and eerie atmospheres, and the bright colors and rather straightforward character designs don't really capture it. There are times -- such as the opening dream sequence in the first issue -- in which the art takes on a painted look, and those moments are quite striking.
The greatest strength of this book is the creators' decision not to shy away from the uglier side of the violence wrought by the title character. His seemingly unlimited powers -- and the writers' imagination -- offers up some EC-esque moments of horror as opposed to stereotypical super-hero fisticuffs. Also interesting is the notion that the anti-hero in question is rather reluctant to carry out his mission, that the administering of these punishments are destroying him bit by bit. I also enjoyed his link to Native American spirituality.
The newness of those elements are offset, though, by a more traditional -- even dated, if you will -- approach to the dialogue and characters. The handsome villain is named Adonis? His mad-scientist lackey is a stereotypical German bad guy? The ease with which Dulac is able to deal with the hero robs the title character of a degree of his mystique as well. I also though it was ludicrous that a figure that can manipulate matter at will and stop bullets in mid-air would need a handgun to protect himself. It made little sense.
Note: These comic books were not among this week's new releases.
