WARLOCK #1 REVIEW

[Al Harahap]

Reviewer: Al Harahap, al_harahap@comixfan.cjb.net
Quick Rating: Good
Story Title: “Second Coming”

A group of mad scientists intends to make the world a utopia by creating an artificial being to be its saviour.

Writer: Greg Pak
Artist: Charlie Adlard
Colourist: SotoColor’s F. Serrano
Letterer: VC’s Cory Petit
Cover Artist: J.H. Williams III
Editor: Cory Sedlmeier
Executive Editor: Axel Alonso
Editor in Chief: Joe Quesada
Publisher: Dan Buckley

CAST:
Janie Chin: Designer of the new Adam Warlock’s image.
Danny: Janie’s boyfriend.
Adam Warlock: An artificial being created to become Earth’s saviour.
The Beehive: A scientific cult intent on making the world a perfect place.
Mr. Smith: Creative Director of the Beehive.
Dr. Shinski: Geneticist of the Beehive.
Dr. Morlak: Physicist of the Beehive.
Dr. Zota: Biochemical and mechanical engineer of the Beehive.

Themes: Hero worship, free will vs. policed utopia, artificial life.
Check this out if you like: George Orwell’s 1984, Arthur C. Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Harry Bates’ The Day the Earth Stood Still, Philip K. Dick’s Blade Runner.


There’s a certain group of comic characters who can never sustain their own series, and yet keep coming back every few years or so to make another attempt. Adam Strange, Firestorm, Ghost Rider, Iron Fist, Mister Miracle, Moon Knight, just to name a few. You might even say that Adam Warlock’s in good company. He’s certainly not a bad character. Perhaps cliché in this day and age, but workable. The problem is that creators don’t always know what to add or where to bring these characters to maintain reader interest. And that was my first cynical reaction upon hearing of this new series – “Wow, another book featuring that lame Warlock character. What the hell is he? And what does he do anyway? Like I care…” I couldn’t be more ignorant. Indie film writer/director Greg Pak and artist Charlie Adlard (Hellblazer, The X-Files, Mars Attacks!) make me care.

What will most likely first catch your attention are the visuals of the new Adam Warlock on the cover. He’s obviously not the colourful spandex- and cape-wearing Warlock of old, or even the slightly revised deeper-character Warlock of the 90s Infinity Gauntlet saga. Adlard’s design, and in turn Janie Chin’s design, retains the maroon/orange/gold colour scheme of his classic look, but it’s taken to a whole other level. Not only is his costume modernised for the new millennium, but the art team has also managed to inject an even more holy ambience into his overall visual presence. To start with, colourist Serrano’s choice of bright colours brings about the golden skin and hair that some beliefs associate with the divine. The costume itself seems to be influenced from a cross of ancient Greek and Aztec/Incan/Mayan godly armour. The classic gem on his forehead, whose new function will “blow you away,” can be traced back to the Hindu/Buddhist notion of the omniscient “third eye” of the mind that all beings potentially have. An angelic halo appears around his head that’s reminiscent of Christian art to portray a figure’s holiness. And finally, around his wrists are what could probably be a nod to the Infinity Gauntlet itself. Moreover, it’s amazing how well all these elements mesh together and not clash.

On the other hand, the sequential art doesn’t hold as much awe. Adlard can bounce from spectacular panels to so-so, especially certain facial expressions. But this is minor if you take into account the great marriage between the script and the art. The scientists, who have pisspoor artistic skills have designed a Warlock with the old look. Pak then cleverly uses Janie and her job as a designer to play around with the outdated classic look and the coming of the updated look. That’s not the only throwback to classic Marvel though. Pak also uses the characters to lightheartedly poke fun at the similarities between the title character and Dr. Strange, as well as an origin that isn’t “that bitten-by-a-radioactive-spider claptrap.”

Then… does this story exist in continuity? Ahh, we had to get there sooner or later. The short answer is: Why should you care? Ok, so that’s not an answer. The long answer is: It may or may not. This obviously isn’t the Adam Warlock that we’ve been reading in previous Marvel books. He is a new character that could have similar attributes to the old one and exist in the same reality. Sure, why not? If that sounds like a stretch, then he probably doesn’t. Notice how it’s really neither here nor there. Because all that really matters is that this book reimagines Adam Warlock for the 21st century. It's a surprisingly refreshing take on a classic character that breaks away from the formulae of superhero stories. Pak writes a mentally stimulating story that incorporates contemporary ideologies with the backdrop of a fearful and unsure world that needs certainty and direction. Can this so-called saviour, Adam Warlock, provide what this world needs, or will he be used as a fascistic police force? That’s what this premiere issue establishes.


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[darkelf63]

Oooo first post. that's never happened before. I was reluctant to gte this because I feared it would be horrib;e. Your review has made me want to get the article.

However I must admit that some aspetcss of the cover costume I like (the armor, the torso etc) and some I hate (The lightning boots and arms especially)

However he looks a lot more "hip" than he used to. Might pick this up now

[Dylan McKay]

I read it online and will pick up the seond issue. I think the whole "man made God" angle has loads of potential.

[Adelfi]

Sounds intereting. I was a fan of "Gauntlet-era Warlock."
This sounds a bit like a sort of "Ultimate Adam Warlock"

[Ben]

I loved this issue, I'm definately along for the ride.

Ben

[Alex Groff]

Having never liked Warlock in the past, I was curious about the cover, and this review swayed me into giving it a try. I was quite impressed: great metafiction, great set-up, and fun characterization: it has me interested.

Just when I think Marvel's aiming for a demographic that's the polar opposite of me, they put out Madrox, Warlock and Nightcrawler. Not that I'm complaining, mind you.