BIONIC MAN #2 REVIEW!!!!

To put it bluntly, this issue left me feeling a little disappointed. But, ONLY in the fact that this comic is based on a screenplay that WILL NEVER be made. Folks, if this movie would've gotten made, it would have been THE most balls-out, over-the-top, thrill-ride action movie of ANY summer. We're talking like Jurassic Park in 1993 big. But, enough about movies. Thankfully Dynamite saw fit to turn this into a comic series and we are SO lucky that they did. First, if you haven't checked out my review of issue #1, you can do so here.

-Simply put, this issue is better than the last. First issues are always all set up, so now that we know who everyone is and what they do, we can get into the real meat of the story. Like I stated in my last review, it's been awhile since I've read Kevin Smith's screenplay that this is based on, so I can't remember exactly what's been added and taken out, but WOW this issue is PACKED with story, mystery, and action. Just like EVERY comic book should be. Phil Hester does a fantastic job at pacing the story, and Jonathan Lau's art is out of control awesome. There's lots of action heavy pages in this issue. And I mean HEAVY! Yet, with Lau's art you never get the "things are happening to fast that I can't really tell what's going on" feeling that you get with some artists. Hats off to the creative team for an outstanding job.

-Most impressive about this issue, though, is the shocks and surprises that are thrown at you. You don't normally find that in licensed comics today, and TRUST ME, I'd know. Let's face it, even if you have never seen the TV show, you know what's going to happen to Steve Austin. I mean, c'mon, the book is call The Bionic Man, not The Dead Astronaut. But there are shocks, surprises and twists on almost every other page. Questions answered you didn't even know where asked, mysteries uncovered that you wouldn't see coming a mile away. This is, simply put, a fantastic comic. And the best part? We're just getting started. This issues are only going to get better. Better. Stronger. Faster.

*Footnote-As an added bonus that has absolutely NOTHING to do with The Bionic Man, this issue features a GORGEOUS double page ad for Dynamite's upcoming Flash Gordon: Zeitgeist series. First issues out in November, it's 32 pages and it's only $1.00. PRE-ORDER. IT. NOW. It looks AMAZING!!!!!!!

BIONIC MAN #2 PREVIEW!!!!

The second issue hits on this Wednesday. I'm gonna just shut up and let you look at these fantastic pages. Can't wait!!!

Bionic Man #1 Review

The last time Colonel Steve Austin was published in comic book form was in June of 1978. 33 years later, Dynamite Entertainment brings him back in The Bionic Man #1. Ladies & Gentlemen-it was worth the wait. For those of you expecting Steve Austin to be full on bionic in this issue, you'll be a little disappointed. But, that's about the only thing that's lacking in this first issue. Dynamite made a spectacular desicion by putting their A-Team of Phil Hester & Jonathan Lau on this book. The team did a fantastic job adapting Kevin Smith's Green Hornet screenplay into a fun, action-packed and all around excellent comic, and to no one's surprise, they do the same thing here.

-In the first issue we're introduced to all the main characters & villians. One of the things that impressed me most about the book was that the villian is actually a SUPER villian. Not a guy in a suit or a bad guy with an eye patch and a grugde that is common in modern day comics. He's totally evil, and he's got what looks to be some sort of bionic powers of his own. There's some great set up for the villian's motivation,while not giving everything away yet. Your definately left wondering just what the villian's motivation is and where he came from.

-If I'd have to pick a favorite aspect of the book, it would be the characterization of Steve Austin himself. Smith & Hester do a fantastic job of giving Steve a real personality and not just making him a Hal Jordon or Maverick from Top Gun clone. He's got the right amount of cockiness, swagger and heart. In a surprising twist(tiny spoiler alert)Jamie Summers is also introduced in this first issue as Steve's fiancee. And don't worry, Oscar and Rudy are back, and as charming as ever.

-My hat's off to artist Jonathan Lau for making the action in this book SO kinetic. Flight scenese are really tough to pull off in comics, but Lau really makes the most of his panels without dragging it out for page after page.

-All in all, this was a GREAT first issue. Very excessable to any new reader that's not been exposed to the franchise and yet familiar enough to make long time fans of the property feel like they're taking a trip home to visit old friends. I honestly can't recommend this book highly enough. Put on your red track suit and RUN down to your local comic store and pick this up right away!!!!