BOOM! Studios BRZRKR has been a pleasant surprise in comics. The series spearheaded by Keanu Reeves is a clear pitch for a film or television series (which are coming) but it has wound up being so much more. The story revolves around B, a man who can’t die and has been alive for 10s of thousands of years. He’s a weapon that’s tired of being a weapon and whose memory fails in letting him know his own truth. The series opened with so much action but since it has focused on B, the person. It’s a story of longing and sadness, about a warrior, a weapon, who no longer wants to be one. This is the story of the soldier that wants to retire. BRZRKR #5 continues the focus exploring the many loves of B and the losses throughout his years.

Reeves and Matt Kindt deliver a story exploring B’s love life through the years. We see loss after loss and a bit more why he is the way he is. This is an individual who is trying to figure out his purpose. As he states, if it isn’t to fall in love and have a family, then what is it? While that view has evolved over the years, it’s understandable that someone 80,000 years old would be focused on that. But, what’s important is we begin to question that. Here is an individual that has been created into this perfect weapon. His role isn’t to create but to destroy. So, what happens when he no longer wants to do that? We understand his drifting and confusion as to what’s next.

Much of that sadness is delivered through Ron Garney‘s art. With Bill Crabtree on color and lettering by Clem Robins the art really emphasizes the emotions of the issue. We can see B break as the years go on and he realizes he shouldn’t love and he won’t find happiness. His facial expressions and body language says it all. But, more importantly, the reactions of others is what’s really key. We see the sadness from them. This is a person who has only known being a weapon but he has shown love and kindness to these individuals. While he might be the embodiment of destruction there’s a clear compassion and caring as well. That’s completely conveyed through the art.

BRZRKR #5 is a solid entry in the series. Its focus is learning more about B but really focusing on the sadness he experiences. We as readers emphasize with him more and become attached in a way. It’s surely so that whatever is to come will feel like more of an emotional punch but for an issue we get to forget about the action and instead focus on a person who just wants to find peace. It delivers something completely unexpected from an “action series” and helps makes this series continue to stand out.

Story: Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt Art: Ron Garney
Color: Bill Crabtree Letterer: Clem Robins
Story: 8.45 Art: 8.45 Overall: 8.45 Recommendation: Buy

BOOM! Studios provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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