Myth of 8-Opus: The Doomed Battalion

It did not take me long at all to return to Thomas Scioli's Urdu. I loved the previous volume I read (8-Opus Wrecks) so much, that when I was finally complete in my holiday readings for the season, this was next on my list. 

8-Opus and Daedalus continue their war with the Sons of Nashek on the planet Rathagan. In order to prevent their foes from unleashing their most powerful weapons, the two gods must travel incognito and help a struggling battalion of rebels overthrow that world's evil despotic leader.

Meanwhile back on Urdu, two of 8-Opus' compatriots run afoul of a secret cadre of the Sons of Nashek hiding underground. Subjected to horrible torture and unthinkable genetic tests, these heroes must break free back to the surface and warn their brethren of the coming invasion before it's too late!

There's technically two more books in the series. However, one of them is a prequel story. So it's more background on the character of 8-Opus; but probably doesn't move the story of the war with the Sons of Nashek very far. 

Both the prologue and what I am assuming is part 3 (The Labyrinth) are going to have to wait however. The only copies I can find for sell are at some astronomical prices.

 If Thomas Scioli ever reads this and could somehow hook my up with those other 2 books, I would forever be grateful. (Yes, I would pay cover price for them. I won't be greedy and expect to get them for nothing!)

I enjoyed this second act some much more than the prior. Scioli's art, while still tributing the great Jack Kirby, looks more original and the inks are so clean. Plus, the story is a lot better, too. Plot lines seem more polished. Plus, now that I am more familiar with a majority of the characters, things made for a much smoother read. 

Fans of Kirby's Fourth World should really check this series out. It's quite engaging and total eye-candy for fans of the King's artwork.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

The Myth of 8-Opus: 8-Opus Wrecks

With the face of Darkseid, the costume of Orion and equipment that rivals a mother box, The Myth of 8-Opus feels like someplace I've been before. Written and illustration by Thomas Scioli (Go-Bots), this book felt like I was visiting Kirby's Fourth World. But this didn't feel like a rip-off or a reboot. Instead, this was like an untold tale or a pre-Darkseid and Highfather origin story.

8-Opus is travelling the cosmos in search of his friend Daedalus. 8-Opus' quest takes him to the remains of a cosmic giant. For Daedalus, this planet is a utopia. But thanks to the Mystic-8, the mask worn by 8-Opus, the truth behind this world and it's inhabitants is anything but ideal.

The story wasn't the best part of this book. It's definitely the art. Done very much in the style of Kirby, it's quite visually appealing. The story on the other hand felt rushed at times. Sometimes, it just felt like Scioli was throwing stuff at a wall and making a story out of what stuck to it. Oddly enough, I'm hooked on this what can only be defined as experimental comic from A-Okay Comics. Thankfully, I still have one more volume of work left to read.

I went to do some digging on further titles and I found a blog that promised serialized adventures from Thomas Scioli. Unfortunately, the link given didn't work. So I may be SOL. 

For all I know, this book isn't even the first in the series. It's going to be a challenge to find more information. But if there is a volume before this one, it could explain some inconsistencies that did not make much sense.

I found this awesomely weird book at the comic book swap meet I went too earlier this Summer. I'm not sure why I waited so long to read it. But I am glad I did. It was a brilliantly unusual read that is a must for fans of Kirby's Fourth World and Indy comics that do not follow the rules.

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.