Man, am I behind on my comics review reading pile. This one-shot was released late last year, and I wish I'd thumbed through it before now. It's a wonderfully manic story of a super-hero versus over-the-top monsters from space, and Gilbert's aim isn't to tell a story of might-makes-right or triumph over evil. It's about as much collateral damage as possible. This extreme action story is really a lengthy joke, and a good one at that, but hiding in the crude plotting and exaggerated violence is some biting satire about the futility of war and the self-interest of those we entrust with our safety.
In the 1950s, a boy named Wally Wood and his parents are sucked into the ground where an unseen force lurks and plots against mankind. Jump ahead to the late 1960s, when that unseen force -- Martians led by a Nazi alien leader -- finally launches its assault on Earth, along with some help from Col. Wally Wood, who ensures military might is not mounted to oppose the threat. Fortunately, the hero known as Mr. Monster is on the job.
Freeman does an excellent job of capturing Gilbert's exaggerated, angular look for the title character. There's a softer look to the human characters, one that puts me in mind of James Fry's work or Mike Ploog's. The designs for the Nazi Martians are irreverent and entertaining, delightfully grotesque in a manner that pays homage to Mars Attacks. The hectic nature of the action and the art reminds me of a sensibility not unlike Erik Larsen's on The Savage Dragon.
The alternate title for this book (and the one Randy reviewed it under previously) is Mister Monster and the Nazi From Mars, and that corny mouthful of a name sums up the book nicely. It's campy, it's over the top and it's a whole lot of fun. Mr. Monster takes his to grisly job with video-gamer glee, zapping everything in sight. He's defending the Earth and saving lives, but what he's really doing is having a good time. I also enjoyed how Gilbert acknowledges the inspiration of Wally Wood by naming one of the key platers after him.
There was a moment in the script that made me aware that this story was about more than an alien-killing romp. At one point, a panicked supporting character points out that Mr. Monster is doing as much damage as the Martians, and it stood out as a pointed commentary on war, especially in the current international political climate. The hero revels in the war, giving no thought to the effects his actions are having. He's just blowing up and blasting targets mindlessly. There's no strategy, no clear goal set.
Sound familiar? 7/10
Note: This comic book was not among this week's new releases.
