Release Date: September 11th, 2013
Rating: 3/5 Stars
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Written By: Jeff Parker
Art By: Marc Laming
Price: 3.99
Review:
While I’m late, I got my hands on a preview copy of King’s Watch #1 that I’ve been wanting to review for a few days now. Dynamite has nostalgia in a book for me. I haven’t been reading their stuff so it was all brand new to me. The Phantom comic strips were still in the paper when I was a kid and Flash Gordon may have been slightly before my time but I’ve seen reruns. This book was like a trip down memory lane.
We start with a mysterious effect out in space much like the Aurora Borealis that is casting dreams full of nightmarish creatures into several peoples’ heads across the world. Mandrake the Magician’s prisoner whispers to him about the end of the world and some cult looking people talk about some portal opening, some things getting thru, and a crystal. Since I’m new to the Dynamite world, I don’t know if the nuances in the book are running gags, mysteries, and questions but this book has enough unknown, and allusion to something bigger, to make me want to find out more about it. Again I’m new so forgive the ignorance but apparently Flash Gordon’s dad thinks he’s an underachiever and needs some direction in his life so he funds a private space rocket program. I don’t know the timeframe this book is happening in but I’m pretty sure that’s a no-brainer for Flash.
Overall the story is easy to follow for a Dynamite newb like myself. I got lost a few times but it wasn’t major and didn’t take away from the big picture. The pacing of this book is like graphic storytelling 101. Everything seamlessly flows into the next over and over again until the end with every panel relating a little bit to the previous or the next.
Laming’s super-detailed art looks awesome and perfectly appropriate for these old-school characters. The pencils add to the throwback feel of watching an expedition trek through Africa and seeing The Phantom beat the crap out of a dinosaur/man thing in the wilderness. You also get that retro feel from the characters with their strong chiseled jawlines and hairdos. With that being said, I believe this is supposed to be modern day. Sometimes the art makes it feels like it’s happening in the 50s. Maybe that’s just my own prejudice with the Phantom being such a blast from the past. Anyway, Flash looks cooler in a flight jacket than Hal Jordan.
I liked this book and it was fun to read. Barely losing a brand new reader with what seems like minor points, King’s Watch is easy to jump on. Especially since it’s a #1 issue. It delivers shocking moments and promises plenty of future turmoil for these characters. It looks like a large group of people to manage but with the naturally perfect story flow by Parker, there shouldn’t be a problem. The art reminds me of my youth, skipping straight to the Phantom strip in the comics section. Whether that’s intentional or not and whether it hurts the story remains to be seen. I’ll let you know with King’s Watch #2 because I want it.