Review: Smash! #1
A new series starts here from the Treasury Of British Comics
Bringing us some classic characters, Smash! #1 is available now from the Treasury Of British Comics in print and digital format.
CREATIVE TEAM: Paul Grist (w), Tom Foster & Anna Morozova (a), Simon Bowland (l)
UK and DIGITAL: 18 October £4.99
NORTH AMERICA: 29 November $7.99
DIAMOND CODE: AUG232169
In Victorian London, when Janus Stark traps a demon in a stone idol he creates a prize too alluring for criminal masterminds to resist, and 60 years later the King of Crooks organises his Crime Syndicate to heist the statuette. However, The Steel Claw and Jane Bond are assigned to halt the theft, but they encounter a mysterious stranger who throws both sides' plans into disarray.
A fast-paced action-adventure miniseries written by Paul Grist (Jack Staff) and with art by Tom Foster (Judge Dredd) and Anna Morozova (2000 AD) featuring a host of classic British comic book characters brought back to life in this 3-part miniseries.
Beginning a new series can always be a little daunting. In this case, it adds something more, with some already established legacy characters. Here, we have The Spider, Jane Bond and the Steel Claw (and possibly something more), and that can be difficult with all that canon that comes before.
Nevertheless, this issue gives a good start that introducing characters, their supporting staff, and the mystery around it.
There are some good moments, and all the characters get a good look. With the potential robbery of an artefact, The Spider has his work cut out for him, especially as the authorities know he is coming. Even so, there are some surprises, and The Spider does his best to work his way around them.
On the side of the angels, we have Jane Bond1 and the Steel Claw. Both of them look to bring something else to this adventure, and then there is a third who is a mystery of herself.
The artwork mixes the classic feel and brings some of it up to date. I especially like the colouring and style of the prologue with Janus Stark - I do wonder if that will fit into the main story?
An excellent beginning, and I expect the story to speed up in issue #2 of this 3-issue mini-series.
Available in print from: Treasury of British comics webshop, and comic book stores via Diamond
Available in digital from: Treasury of British Comics webshop, 2000 AD app for Apple & Android
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