Review: Lizard Men #2
At no time in recent history has popular culture and politics clashed in the ugliest ways. As America faces several conflicts in the coming years, just a few years ago, I can remember when many of this was just fodder for late night hosts, now much of it is a scary future. As part of the recent documentary about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., “King in the Wilderness,” much of the documentary covered what happened in his last years. The years when no one cared for his message, when no one funded his demonstrations, and when much of the movement struggled in the shadows of its former self.
The “wilderness” that is referred to in the documentary is the future and as much as one wishes to be optimistic about geopolitical issues, it is certainly grim. Our current political climate feels like a mediocre reality show, with an incompetent frontrunner who continuously screws up despite the many chances. The more our news reflects many of the political parodies of yesteryear, the harder it becomes to tell the difference. In the most recent installment of Lizard Men, we find out just how difficult it is to govern, especially for someone so far out of their depth.
We catch up with Dylan, as he struggles with his new digs, as his old haunts still calls out to him. We are also introduced to a new character, a young British spy, who is hired to find and protect at all costs. We soon find out the current mess he thought he got himself into, is an elaborate hoax by the Lizard Men to assert their authority. By issue’s end, every action has a consequence, as Dylan finds out rather quickly, leaving peoples live in great danger.
Overall, an excellent continuation to a great series as the story expands showing to what extent the Lizard Men will go to stay in power. The story by Steven Horry is funny, dramatic, action packed and gritty as hell. The art by the creative team is astonishing and vibrant. Altogether, a great issue which only elevates the book.
Story: Steven Horry Art: Catia Fantini, Chiara Bonacini, Ken Reynolds and Mira Manga
Story: 9.7 Art: 9.3 Overall: 9.8 Recommendation: Buy
Many movies over the years have taken swipes at people in power, either in dramas or comedies. They are even more ridiculous, when they’re comedies, as they rarely pull no punches. Who can forget Jack Nicholson’s superb performance as President Jack Dale in Mars Attacks. Then there is Kevin James portrayal as both a relatable but strong president in Pixels.
I recently read in an article where they interviewed Charlie Adlard of Walking Dead fame with his thoughts on comics. He had been recently named, the United kingdom’s Comics laureate, an honor, which befuddles me why America has not adopted this title to honor our greatest comic creators. In the interview, what I felt most, was not only love of his craft, but his passion of comics. He even mentioned how the French, call comics, the “Ninth Art”.
I have been an avid reader of Mad Magazine ever since I can remember, as have aunts that still ask do I read as they remember I read it back when I was seven. I was also a reader of Cracked Magazine. In my humble opinion, both magazines were funny, and asking me to choose one is better is nonsense. To me, it is like comparing Star Wars to Star Trek, as there really is no comparison, as both are deserving of their fanbases.
I remember the very first time I picked up Epic Illustrated and how cool I thought it was. My Dad did not want me to read Heavy Metal magazine, because he thought it was crazy like the movie, and looking back he was right to some respect. This is where I first read Silver Surfer before he went on his galaxy trotting adventures in the Marvel Universe. He was a completely different character then, a much more serious figure that felt more like X-O Manowar of Valiant Universe, than his current incarnation.
When it comes to creating something new, creators have hard time letting go of their influences completely. Most cannot, as this is the very reason they get into comic books in the first place, as what they enjoy is usually what they write/draw. So, to ask a creator to be completely free of their inspirations, is truly impossible. The creators at ComicHaus, have created some powerful evocative stories, that only get better with each issue.