Guns of the Dragon #4

This “prequel” comic concludes with an epic battle between Bat Lash & Enemy Ace vs. Vandal Savage. If you remember in the last book’s review I said that a character’s death was “actually something I saw coming. However, I would not be surprised if this character pops back up” in issue #4. Well, that prediction came true. 

But it’s the predictable resurrection that isn’t what’s wrong with this issue. No, that so of thinly veiled plot is forgivable. What isn’t pardonable is how poor the art is. The first three issues were fantastically drawn. The art was very much in the style of the great Joe Kubert. The art in this issue was drawn by the same artist as in all of the other issues. But, the art in this chapter looks rushed and the inking is quite heavily. It’s almost as if the inker’s brush was frayed and dripping ink everywhere. Yes, an inker can affect the art, but upon closer study, I really don’t think the lack of quality is his entire fault. At least half of the blame falls on artist/ scribe Timothy Truman.

Overall, this was a really good series aside from the piss-poor art and inking in this final chapter. Guns of the Dragon is full of action and adventure, it was like reading a Saturday morning serial. I could see Spielberg directing this with special effects by Lucas’ ILM studios. The ending is left open. I wonder if there were intentions to craft a sequel. Maybe there is a sequel to this mini-series and I just don’t know about it yet. It’s very possible that the events of this series affect another series, like Justice Society or Jonah Hex. Allusions are made to both in this book. But if it is, I just haven’t found the sequel- yet.

Not Worth Consuming!

Rating: 4 out of 10 stars.

Guns of the Dragon #3

The explorers have finally reached Dinosaur Island only to discover that they didn’t get there first! Tons of explosions, guns fights, and a death occur in this awesome chapter set in the early days of the DC universe.

   The death is actually something I saw coming. However, I would not be surprised if this character pops back up in the next (and final) issue to save the day, only to finally die heroically. So, some of the plot got telegraphed.

    I don’t count that as poor writing as much as it’s just something to expect after you read as many comic book for as many years as I have. After a while, you just become an expert in the medium and can figure out what’s going to happen ahead of time because you’ve run across that plot device before over and over. Fans of shows like Star Trek, Doctor Who, and The X-Files- even the generic romantic comedy sitcom, know of this occurrence from years of fandom and viewing.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 10 out of 10 stars.

Guns of the Dragon #2

 So, this book involves Bat Lash, Enemy Ace, and this guy named Biff. They’re looking for a pair of ancient swords that are supposed to bring legitimacy to the Chinese Nationalist government. Basically, whoever owns the swords would be the next ruler of China, so of course Mao is looking for it as well as the Japanese. These swords are supposed to bring down any dragon that may attack as well. Thus, it’s off to the fabled Dragon Island.

 

DC readers and fans of war comics will know this island very well. What Lash and Enemy Ace are really travelling to is the dinosaur infested island from the “War That Time Forgot” stories that normally graced the pages of Weird War Tales amongst other DC war comics.

 

I’m really enjoying the story and I love the Joe Kubert-isque drawing style of the penciler, Timothy Truman. But, I got to ask- if Bat Lash, Enemy Ace, the Chinese Nationalists and Communists, and some Japanese ninja are all looking for these fables swords why is the book titled “Guns of the Dragon?” Sure, just about everybody looking for the swords brandish guns, but shouldn’t the book be titled “Swords of the Dragon?” Heck, should the word dragon even be used, since the swords are guarded by dinosaurs that survived a massive comet and the Ice Age.

 

True, this might not be a big deal, but it’s something that irks me about this book, so I felt it was worth mentioning. Other than that, this is a fine comic and I am enjoying reading it.

 

Worth Consuming.

 

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

 

Guns of the Dragon #1

 

Essentially this comic is a prequel to the DC universe. Taking place in 1928 Shanghai, this miniseries pits an elderly Bat Lash, an aging Enemy Ace, and a complete unknown named Biff Bradley together. It appears that this Bradley is related in some way to another obscure DC hero, Slam Bradley.

The trio are summoned to help the Chinese Nationalist government recover a pair of mystical swords that are rumored to unite a warring China in times of need. It’s a kind of Arthurian legend essentially that these explorers are on the hunt for. Adding to the excitement, the trio must  bring back a dragon! It seems that the clout of these swords can only reach its apex if there’s proof that they can slay dragons. Now, there are race against time as the Communist Chinese, some Japanese Ninja, and even Vandal Savage are also on the hunt for these swords.

This is a really neat series. It pits some of the more colorful non-super powered heroes of the 70s together in a Jurassic Park type adventure. Yes, there’s even some added dashes of Indiana Jones and the art looks like it was rendered by that legendary DC artist of war comics fame, Joe Kubert. The book is written and drawn by Timothy Truman. I’ve never heard of him, but I wonder if he was a student of the Joe Kubert School of Art or was just a fan of his art. Regardless, it’s got that gritty quality 70s drawing style Kubert that I just adore. This first chapter starts off a little slow but by the cliffhanger, the pace is so fast that I raced to break into issue #2 in record time.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars