The Answer #1

Devin McKenzie is an insomniac librarian with a knack for solving puzzles. The Answer! is a masked crime fighter with a giant exclamation point on his face. Aside from a penchant for late nights, they share nothing in common . . . until both become embroiled in a deadly mystery surrounding a sinister motivational speaker!

I’m a fan of pulp and so far have enjoyed Dark Horse’s re-entry into that and crime fighter comics. This latest series is entertaining, but it seemed a bit light for me in the story department.

There’s a set up of a librarian solving this puzzle, then being taken to a website, then suddenly folks are trying to kill her while this crime fighter is trying to save her. It’s the beginning of a chase movie, with little explanation, a series of events, not a complete story, but this is a miniseries…

The first issue to me is good, didn’t blow me away, but it’s a fun entry into the crime fighter noirish genre. I have a feeling when taken as a whole, the series will be much better than the individual parts. I was hoping to be blown away or at least hooked enough by this first issue. While I liked it, can’t say I’m uber excited for the second.

Story: Dennis Hopeless Art: Mike Norton Colorist: Mark Englert

Story: 7.25 Art: 7.25 Overall: 7.25 Recommendation: Read

The Massive #8

The Kapital stumbles upon a newly declared sovereign nation—a community of hundreds living on oil platforms with dreams of a new utopia. With the world’s governments and economies in shambles, is this new “country” the hope for the future that Callum Israel and Ninth Wave are looking for?

Set up in the last issue is continued with all kinds of mysterious actions being taken by the crew of the Kapital while a storm bears down. Communications lines are being destroyed, the Kapital is facing some hostile actions and Callum and his crew are aboard this new nation, either locked up or doing… something…

This issue is the middle of an ongoing story, not good for new readers, but you should be reading this series anyways, so that’s not an issue.

Add in an ending that shocked me and had me blurt out wtf while reading, and I was blown away by this issue. I can’t wait to see what happens next. This is one of the few series I devour as soon as I get my hands on it. Easily the best comic series on the shelves today.

Story: Brian Wood Art: Garry Brown Colorist: Dave Stewart Cover: J.P. Leon

Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Recommendation: Buy

Mind MGMT #7

We’ve learned some of the secrets of Henry Lyme; now get ready to meet the rest of MIND MGMT, beginning with the Ad Man! With the remains of MIND MGMT on Lyme’s tail, the former spy is forced to seek help from other defectors.

Up to this point, we’ve had a hell of a build up as we’ve learned what Mind MGMT is and how it’s shaped the world. Now we get to meet various members of the clandestine organization. But, as we do that, we’re also dragged into further mystery.

The Ad Man presented in this issue gives us more of a background as to how Mind MGMT has changed the world, but from his perspective. We also get even more of an idea in how in depth their day to day control is.

Kindt each month puts out a brilliant package. The comic is so much more than the story in between the covers, instead there’s shorter comics on the inside covers and then in this issue small drawings throughout the bottom of the comic just adds to the experience and adds to the overall feel. There’s nothing else like it in comics today.

This is the beginning of a new story arc, so now’s a perfect time to find out the excellence you’ve been missing.

Story, Art and Cover: Matt Kindt

Story: 8.5 Art: 8.5 Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy

Dark Horse provides Graphic Policy with FREE copies for review