Reviews: Lazarus Order #1, The Phantom vs. The Singh Brotherhood, Mister Nemo #2, The Last Starfighter #2 and Junk Punch #3
From Mad Cave Studios
A new series with Lazarus Order #1, a one-shot with The Phantom Vs. The Singh Brotherhood and continuing stories of Mister Nemo #2, The Last Starfighter #2 and Junk Punch #3 from Mad Cave Studios.
Lazarus Order #1
In a medieval world where illness can lead to horrific and monstrous transformation, the Lazarus Order is mankind’s final bastion, preventing uncontrollable chaos. Devout plague doctors have sacrificed their freedom in an oath to God, in exchange for supernatural abilities.
However, their powers come at a great cost, the more they use them, the more it consumes them until they fade to nothing.
Despite this sacrifice, they live in servitude and dedication to protecting humanity from vampires, werewolves, Rattusvir (Rat-man disease), the undead and other variants of “The First Sickness.” Doctor Damien, a meek, middle-aged stickler for protocol, is sent to team up with Edward Talis, an older, opportunistic, charming veteran doctor.
They respond to what seems to be a routine call to subdue and cure a Rattusvir, only to discover an omen that “The First Sickness” has set events in motion to destroy the Lazarus Order once and for all.
Will they unravel its machinations before their oaths consume them? Or will they continue down their path towards righteous self-destruction, unaware of what foul monsters scheme beneath their feet?
Author: Sloane M. Siegel
Artist: Juan Doe
This is an interesting beginning to a new series. Setting out the world, as well as the mythology in the first issue, is a tough ask, but also adding in some excellent details in the final pages of the larger threat does an amazing job!
We get a good introduction to those who look to help. There is some interesting power there, along with the details of the limitations of that power and what they can do.
The threat is shown to be something nasty, but as the issue progresses, there is some escalation of the immediate foe, along with hints to something bigger and darker in the background.
There is some excellent art here; combining it along with the clever colour use and choices makes this an entertaining read and a clever first issue that gets you hooked.
Get Lazarus #1 from Forbidden Planet:
Phantom vs. The Singh Brotherhood
THE PHANTOM WALKS. EVIL DIES.
It’s all come down to this: The Phantom vs. Arif Singh and his Brotherhood! After the Brotherhood’s failed attack on Bangalla, Singh was all set to rot in prison.
But concrete walls cannot stop the man who controls one of the most notorious criminal enterprises in the world. Only The Phantom can. Or this time, he might just die trying.
Author: Ray Fawkes
Artists: Mark Spears, and Russell Olson
A nice one-shot that ties off the series of adventures that The Phantom has been having. It has all been leading up to this, and with Arif Singh in jail, he looks to not only regain his power but also get revenge on the Phantom.
What follows is an excellent adventure, as the Phantom looks to help the authorities regain control of the jail, but also how he adds the mystique of the character and why the criminals fear him.
There are some excellent panel choices and artwork as the Phantom works his way through the jail, fighting off the lower-level criminals as he makes his way towards Arif.
On top of that, the logic used was well done, with Arif getting to show why he was defeated, along with the reaction of the others in the jail.
There is a nice hint at the end that things could continue along these adventures for the Phantom and those around him, but this has been a fantastic run!
Get Phantom vs. The Singh Brotherhood at Forbidden Planet:
Mister Nemo #2
In the icy shadows of Helsinki, rogue agent Eddi Landsman is marked for death by her own side, until the mysterious Nemo intervenes, revealing a global conspiracy that will force her to choose between the truth… or survival.
Author: Mark London
Artists: Duncan Rouleau, and Alden Kaye
We get more of the secret history of Mister Nemo. It’s an excellent idea, giving us some of these little hints into his childhood. There is something to be said about the character’s body being jailed, but his mind is free – especially with a massive library like that!
Meanwhile, we see that there are those who are continuing to question the status quo – in this case a special operative who is asking too many questions about her missions. It goes a little wrong for her, but there are some excellent action scenes and a fun rescue from Mister Nemo as well.
This series is doing an excellent job in getting the team together to fight against the global conspiracy, and each issue (so far) has done an excellent job in highlighting their skills and what they truly want. Their reactions to Mister Nemo and his tech are also an entertaining part of it as well.
This issue ends with an interesting tease for the next issue, as it seems like someone who is aware of Nemo is in trouble…
Get Mister Nemo #2 at Forbidden Planet:
The Last Starfighter #2
Join the team and say goodbye!
Xur may be gone, but like a hydra with its head cut off, the Ko-Dan Armada rises again! Naxos Ko-Ma, a.k.a. the Reaper, is determined to see the end of the Star League and now that Earthling Alex Rogan is leading it, the lamb looks ripe for slaughter. And Alex isn’t the only one in the crosshairs.
His girlfriend, Maggie, stands battle-ready alongside him, but will her first real firefight on an alien planet be her last?
Find out as the direct sequel to the beloved sci-fi film continues in another thrilling instalment!
Authors: Deric Hughes, and Ben Raab
Artist: Taurin Clarke
Building off the last issue, this follow-up to the ending of the movie continues to keep the original heart, along with adding some new mythology.
This issue has the first team of Starfighters getting together, along with the technology they will be using. There are some issues, though, first with the ships. Taken from the parts of the old ones, they are one-seated, meaning that the pilots are having to do more. Then there is the team itself, with some tensions between them already, and family matters in the way; there is a long way to go until they are a proper unit.
Maggie also gets her time to shine as well, and her character is being well fleshed out, making her proactive and action-packed in a different way from her boyfriend. It has some clever aspects for all involved and is building up well.
This continues to keep with the feel of the movie, along with some new aspects and some great action too. The art fits right in well with the story.
Get The Last Starfighter #2 at Forbidden Planet:
Junk Punch #3
A runaway steamroller! A wanton web! csearch for the dire villain who’s been stealing goals (soccer goals, touchdowns, successful first dates and more!) from the citizens of Billowing City deepens, as she and Medium Cotton delve into the criminal underworld of Silverhand!
Plus… an origin story!
Also… the police want to shoot Clara for some reason?
It’s comics chaos, by Eisner winning author Paul Tobin and his even more stellar co-creator, Carlos Javier Olivares!
Author: Paul Tobin
Artists: Carlos Olivares, and Carlos Javier Olivares
Somehow, this issue not only increases the frantic pace from the previous issues but also adds a lot more of the madness we are beginning to expect from the series. Can this increase continue as we move on? Probably!
Here we get Clara continuing her adventure while looking for her missing cat and also dealing with various assassins and dealing with the results of the stolen goals!
That is a lot to take in, and this issue is packed with action and fighting – with many junk punches too. Clara also gives us a bit of an origin to her tale – something which seems a little odd at this point.
The art and colouring make this a packed issue, piling in so much detail and excellent colour choices, it makes this one to re-read to get to grips with it!
