Rating: 3.5/5 – An enjoyable, but eye rolling experience.
by ComicSpectrum reviewer Shawn Hoklas.
The simplest way I can describe Revenge is a B-movie horror flick that’s intended to push the shock level in terms of violence, sex and gore. Much like the fake movie poster on the back cover that has the tagline, “30 years ago they left him to die. Now he’s back with only one thing on his mind…Revenge!”, it’s supposed to be a bit satirical. If you can take the premise for what it is, it can be an entertaining read. At the same time, although some of the details are different, this is a story with characters that we’ve seen plenty of times before.
Writer Jonathan Ross introduces us to actor Griffin Franks. Thirty years ago he made a movie that was a hit for it’s over the top violence, much like 1980’s Commando or Rambo films. After fading from the spotlight he’s finally back renewing his role as the Revenger in the updated Revenge movie. The movie hits big, but unfortunately Griffin Franks is getting older. As everything is starting to look up for him, unfortunately and predictably it all comes crashing down. The movie he once acted in now starts to resemble his real life. Jonathan Ross doesn’t pull any punches as this book would fit right into the Avatar library of titles with it’s graphic depictions of violence and mature situations. Ross is pushing the boundaries intentionally. The violence is gory, yes, but because of it’s absurdity, it’s corny as well. It’s full of cliches, that are written so obviously at times that you can’t help but think back to all the ridiculous, but entertaining action/horror movies we’ve watched in the past.
Artist Ian Churchill’s art is a joy to look at, even with the gore. At times his characters can look a little stiff, including Griffin’s blonde bombshell wife who’s depicted naked for at least half the book. But, even her plastic look fits the tone of the story as she looks fake and artificial. Churchill’s art can be so different from one title to the next which shows how versatile and artist he is. His previous work on X-Force is different than his work on MarineMan, which is different from his work here. Again, comparisons can be made to the Avatar books, but Churchill has what I feel is a more refined line leaving out some of the intense detail which ironically gives the book a cleaner look. If you take Revenge for what it is it can be an enjoyable, but at times, an eye rolling experience. I’m looking forward to seeing if Ross does something unique and different here, or does he just ride this out for what it is. Either way, I’ll be reading to this series to find out.
Reviewed by: Shawn Hoklas
(shawn@comicspectrum.com)
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Honestly this book is everything I want in a comic as an adult. People read comics to escape…At least in my mind it gets across the three things I want to see in a comic…topless busty hot women, gore and of course an anti-hero / vigilante.
Best story-line to date in my opinion. Another favorite of mine is Zombie Tramp. I like that they are starting to branch off and make graphic books for those of us that are interested in it. Kudos to image on this one! This is the first Image comic I’ve bought since the 90’s.
They’ve been making books like this since the 1970’s Derek. You just need to look outside the confines of mainstream super-hero comics to find them.