Reviews: Flash Gordon #1 & Dick Tracy #3
Out now from Mad Cave Studios
One classic character’s story continues in Dick Tracy #3, while another begins anew in Flash Gordon #1 from Mad Cave Studios this week.
Dick Tracy #3
THE ORIGIN OF DICK TRACY CONTINUES IN THE HIT NEW SERIES FROM MAD CAVE! Battle lines are drawn as the city braces for an all-out gang war – and Dick Tracy and his ragtag allies are scrambling to piece together the mystery that might prevent it! But how does today’s raging turf war tie into Tracy’s own haunted memories from his time in the service? Plus: the true identity of the new player on the scene becomes clearer!
(W) Alex Segura, Michael Moreci, Chantelle Aimée Osman (A) Geraldo Borges (C) Mark Englert (L) Jim Campbell
Gang War! Three issues are in, and the tension is building up! Dick Tracy continues his investigation into the deaths in issue #1, and although there are some answers - and arrests - that isn’t the whole story.
Among the Violence is an excellent investigative story where Dick Tracy and his new partners are gradually getting all of the pieces of the jigsaw together. If they get some corners, the picture will come together!
In between this, we can see Tracy struggling with his past. The mention of some things that happened during the war is interesting and adds a new dimension to the detective - this is something we seldom see.
The villains also make a good mix. Some classic villains are here, and the various henchmen are well-rounded. I liked how they are introduced, as well as their chatter while working. This doesn’t always drive the narrative of the story, but there is some good character moments.
I enjoy the artwork here, it is grim and gritty for the majority of the story, but there are some well defined aspects and scenes - especially the speech to Tracy after the arrest.
This continues to be entertaining, dark and light, and I look forward to more.
Get it at Forbidden Planet:
Flash Gordon #1
Flash awakes on a secret prison planet somewhere in the galaxy. Upon learning that Dale Arden is the subject of an assassination plot, he's forced to break out and make his way across the galaxy to save her. Along the way, he encounters old friends, new threats, and a greater mystery surrounding WHO is pulling the strings of this universe. The first exciting issue in an all-new ongoing series!
(W) Jeremy Adams (A/CA) Will Conrad (C) Lee Loughridge (L) Taylor Esposito (CB) Frazer Irving (CC) Reilly Brown
This was an interesting start to the Mad Cave Flash Gordon story. Flash is in jail, and he will rot there. Until that point, he will be fed and kept alive for as long as he lives.
In flashback, we get some hints about what he has done, and it looks like he is—possibly unknowingly—responsible for the death of a planet.
As the story progresses, we learn a way out and who will join him on the escape. It’s full of action and feels like some classic Flash Gordon in terms of tropes and styles.
Even so, the story is clever as to what is bubbling beneath the surface of this story. Is Flash the bad guy? What happened with the planet Mongo? What is this new world alliance like?
We need answers - especially to that cliffhanger ending - and this will be worth checking.
