MUTANT EARTH #2
"To Hell and Back, Part II"
Neutral (3/10)
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Image Comics
Writer: Francis Takenaga
Artist: Philip Tan
Colors: Steve Oliff
Letters: Dreamer Design
Editor: Brian Haberlin
Price: $2.95 US/$4.65 CAN |
I passed on the first issue of Mutant Earth. Although I thought it was a nice coup for Image to have a book created by Hollywood special-effects wiz Stan Winston in its stable, there was nothing in the promotional material that caught my attenion. But the folks at Image sent a copy of this second issue along for review, so I took a look. I found some richly detailed art and a succinct first-issue synopsis to help me get into the book. But I also found confusing scene transitions and not a single character to which I could relate.
As two malevolent aliens -- Gallowz and Vaquoul -- search for a powerful artifact called the Kyldran in order to grant them dominion over all they can see, they also seek out the lone, immortal warrior named Trakk. Trakk's been causing Gallowz's forces some trouble as of late, while Vaquoul shares some history (literally) with the noble and skilled swordsman and fighter. Meanwhile, we meet Crippler, one of Gallowz's powerful, misshapen and dim-witted minions.
Tan's artwork, just as it was in Wildstorm's Taleweaver, is thoroughly detailed. He brings the graphic violence that's a part of everyday life on Mutant Earth to life, just as he does the horrors that serve as the villains of this piece. Mind you, there's nothing inherent human in the art either, not even Trakk. He's too perfect. And then there are some awkward scene transitions. There are no clear visual cues to indicate when the story shifts back and forth from flashback mode.
Though this is an accessible story, it's a rather confusing one. The afore-mentioned scene transitions are only part of it. The hero himself seems to be wandering through the story. His purpose, beyond standing up for the defenseless, isn't made clear. I don't get a sense of who Trakk is beyond his skill and immortality. There's nothing human in him or any of the other characters I recognize.
Given the blue face paint sported by the main character and the hordes of warriors who stand behind him in the flashback scenes, one might be put in mind of Mel Gibson's Braveheart. Not me, though. No, I'm reminded of a different Gibson flick: Mad Max. Trouble is that I find that post-apocalyptic savage warrior stories are rarely done well. Mad Max wasn't my cup o' tea, and Mutant Earth is a far cry from Mad Max.
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