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IMAGE INTRODUCES... PRIMATE #1
Recommended (8/10)
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Image Comics
Writers: Beau Smith & Kevin Bernhardt
Pencils: Mitch Byrd
Inks: Ryan Odagawa
Colors: Mark Nicholas
Letters: Mike Heisler
Price: $2.95 US |
I'll be honest... I've read little of Beau Smith's comics. In fact, this might even be my first exposure to his work. Color me impressed. He, Bernhardt and Byrd hold nothing back with this story, with its over-the-top violence but compelling story of primal justice and vengeance. I don't know where this property will turn up next, but I plan to follow.
Poachers have brought a number of apes back to America, having raided the base of operations of a noted anthropologist, killing her bodyguard/guide in the process. But what they've brought back with them is no ordinary ape. Bobo's different. He's smarter, he's angry and he's unforgiving. Dr. Catherine Lim and her new ally, a witch doctor educated in England, do their part to help Bobo achieve his brutal goals.
Byrd's detailed, kinetic art is enthralling. He renders the most brtual actions with crystal clarity. Is it gratuitous? No. The title says it all: the emphasis here is on the ape's base, primal nature. This is not about civility. It's about revenge and righteousness. Nicholas's colors reinforce the darkness of the script, but also capture the lushness of the African jungle and the sterility (in comparison) of the concrete walls and paths of Manhattan.
Smith and Bernhardt do an excellent job of establishing their premise quickly and clearly without going overboard when it comes to exposition. The core concept here is part Terminator, part King Kong... apparently with just a dash of C.H.U.D.. That description doesn't do the book justice, though. There's a more thoughtful yet oddly brutal tone to the script.
The writers balance the feral nature of the title character with the modest supporting cast. Catherine is likeable without being overly schmoltzy, and I can't wait to get to know the classically educated tribal shaman better.
Primate certainly won't be everyone's cup o' tea, but intelligent readers who aren't easily offended will find a challenging read in its pages. On the surface, the book seems to be about simple violence and vengeance, but there's a more reflective tone below.
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