This book couldn’t have come out at a more perfect time for me. Only two nights ago, Escape From New York was being shown on TV. Having nothing better to do, I sat down to watch a piece of cinematic history. Half way through I started to think about the world created by John Carpenter and wanted to see more. Apart from LA of course. Let’s never mention LA again….

So with this series being released from Boom, I got my wish. Let’s start by acknowledging that this book is far from being a literary masterpiece. But it doesn’t try to be. What it tries to be, and succeeds in, is being fun. So much fun. Picking up immediately where the film left off, Snake Plissken is being hunted by the US government. Of course, this is just another day in the life of Snake so we follow him as he escapes the military before joining up with some new age religious folk. Here is where the story starts to take direction and we get to explore more of Carpenters world. Snake and his new group are headed for Florida. Yep. Florida. Having seceded from the United States, Florida is now home to those wishing to escape and start a new life. The journey there isn’t without its troubles though and before Snake can enter, he must pass through The Crucible. Cue cheesy 80’s action music. The writing is fast paced but with enough detail given to ensure it’s easy to follow and enjoy. I’m guessing Carpenter didn’t have too much of a hand in the storyline which makes Christopher Sebela’s writing even more impressive. It doesn’t stray far from the original premise of the movie and takes you right back into the world.

The art is well done. No problems with too much or not enough likeness of the actors. It’s Snake all the way. The action is well done and the world building is serviceable to accomplish the feeling of being there. One or two panels may borderline being a little cartoony for me, especially when it’s trying to recreate an 80’s action film, but overall, well done.

It’s interesting to mention the success Boom is having with its other John Carpenter/ Kurt Russell franchise, Big Trouble In Little China. Boom seems to be onto something here, and I for one, couldn’t be happier.

Escape from New York #1 gets 4 out of 5 Red-Bellied Black Snake Plisskens

The Valiant # 1

Published by Valiant

Written by Jeff Lemire & Matt Kindt

Art by Paolo Rivera

Sometimes the marketing works and I totally get sucked in. In this case it was Valiant’s push to promote this crossover story that promised new readers could jump in and enjoy what they had to offer. I’m familiar with Valiant. Their characters and what has come before. Familiar, but not well versed. I missed the Valiant explosion when it first happened in the 90’s and I never really got on board since then. But with the promises of all new exciting stories and a great creative team, I thought I’d give it a go.

I’ll say it up front. Bit of a letdown. Not bad by any means, just not great. Being a Brand crossover, all characters from the Valiant universe get a run. Eternal Warrior, Bloodshot, Armstrong, X-O Manowar and I’m guessing a new Geomancer? Commencing with Eternal Warrior we get a quite good back story on him and what his purpose is. All good so far. It’s once we reach the present day and the other characters do the wheels get a little wobbly. It must be hard for the writers. First of there is two of them. Both superstar writers. I wonder if one did the majority or if it was an even share? Did they squabble over who took the lead? I hope one didn’t write and the other edit it, because whoever edited it didn’t do such a great job. Over all it lacks excitement. I get that they only had a few pages with each character to establish them for new readers but already it feels a bit tired. I can tell issue two will be a lot better with the characters actually coming together for the purpose of the story but I just don’t have any connection to them. Except maybe Eternal Warrior. I will probably go and check some of his stuff out.

The art is fantastic. A real highlight. Being so many different characters in different settings must have been fun for the art team. Not having to develop the same character over and over. Great action scenes and a very interesting design of the monster, The Immortal. The scenes with Armstrong are a great contrast to the action sequences and totally kept me involved despite the average story.

I may not have written much about the actual story. That’s because there isn’t much to tell. It’s all set up in this issue. A bit reminiscent of early Justice League issues when it’s fun to see characters team up but it takes a while for anything to actually happen. If you are already a reader of Valiant, you may have a totally different perspective but as a new reader, I’m not sucked in yet.

The Valiant #1 gets 2.5 Wombats hidden underground out of 5

Thanos VS Hulk #1

Published by Marvel

Written by Jim Starlin

Art by Jim Starlin

I like to think Jim Starlin has free reign at Marvel. That he just makes a phone call to Joe Q and says “Hey I’ve got a story” and Joe green lights it immediately. “Oh and Joe, I’m drawing it too!” So set before Thanos: The Infinity Revelation and when Bruce Banner is working for S.H.I.E.L.D, it’s kind of just a fun story about two of the biggest Marvel characters out there, Thanos and Hulk. And Pip The Troll. Actually, this book should actually be Called: Pip the Troll: Every other silly character gets a book, now it’s my turn.  Not that that’s a bad thing. In fact, it’s actually quite good. So Banner is working for S.H.I.E.L.D and given a few days’ vacation. Then, Pip the Troll kidnaps him. Yep, Really. Let the fun begin!

So Starlin is clearly having a lot of fun here. He has been given two major characters to clash against each other but instead this first issue focuses more on the supporting characters. Iron Man and Maria Hill first than Pip. Some A grade cosmic villain gets some play too in Annihlus and Blastaar. It’s their intention to control the Hulk (because that ALWAYS works out well.), and when Thano’s finds out their intent, he decides he can’t handle someone having as much power as him. When it’s all said and done, it’s really just Starlin playing around with the characters. He knows them well (having created half of them) and straddles the line of them being too serious and over the top silly. Don’t expect advances in Marvel continuity or major character development, although there is a lot of potential with Pip.  I really hope the further issues continue with the focus on the minor characters rather than the title characters but I’m sure that’s not the case. Its only four issues long so I’m down for it and I’m looking forward to the ride.

Art wise, its Jim Starlin so you know it’s great. Actually it’s really cool to see how Starlins style doesn’t age and he continues to lead the pack. I totally dig the use of his own name in the book and the spattering of cosmic characters that he himself created as background characters. Well played sir.

If you are a fan of the cosmic realm of Marvel, or like me, a fan of minor and under rated characters, this is well worth a try. And best of all, it’s fun. Can’t ask for much more than that.

Thanos VS Hulk #1 gets 3.5 AUSROC’s out of 5