As a child who grew up in the 1980s, I often watched television as a means of escape. I would have my Saturday morning cartoons,which provided me, my sister, and my cousins enough fodder to keep us entertained. As I grew older my interest became more grown-up, eventually watching some of the same shows that my parents did. One of those shows was Moonlighting, which was about a private detective agency which solved some interesting cases and starred a then unknown Bruce Willis.

The show was probably one of the most entertaining shows I’ve ever watched and it doubled down on the “opposites attract” plot device that has permeated in so many tv shows. I , like many people never took Willis seriously. That changed when I watched him as John McClane in Die Hard. The movie made him a star and introduced a character which would become iconic. As the movie hits a major milestone, Frank Tieri and Mark Texeira, give us a new story with A Million Ways to Die Hard.

We are taken back to Nakatomi Plaza, 30 years after the fateful events of that first movie for a commemoration of that night and of the re-dedication of the building. Our hero is noticeably absent.  His absence is short lived, as a masked terrorist has taken over the building, promising to kill hostages, giving McClane no choice but to spring into action.   

Overall, the graphic novel is a serviceable story which continues the series. It’s one which could be a little longer and could use stronger story development. The story by Tieri is action packed and funny but at times tries too hard to be both. The art by Texeira and Adrian Crossa is rich and elegant. Altogether, it’s a story very much in the spirit of the original but ultimately falls short of what it could have been.

Story: Frank Tieri Art: Mark Texeira and Adrian Crossa
Story: 6.0 Art: 8.0 Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Read