Reviews: Mister Nemo #1 and Junk Punch #2
From Mad Cave Studios
A new series begins with Mister Nemo #1, and one continues in Junk Punch #2 from Mad Cave Studios.
Mister Nemo #1
A brilliant analyst uncovers a global conspiracy and is immediately marked for disappearance, only to be rescued by the mysterious Nemo, a man waging a secret war from beneath the ocean.
As they dive into a hidden world of covert power and impossible technology, one question remains: can they save the world before it even knows it’s in danger?
Author: Mark London
Artist: Alden Kaye
Ooh, this one has me hooked already. Give me a worldwide conspiracy operating from the shadows, a secret organisation pulling the strings behind world events, and a lone genius prepared to stand against them, and I’m immediately interested. It has all the ingredients for a thrilling adventure, and this first issue wastes no time in drawing readers into its mysterious world.
The opening acts as a fantastic prologue, setting the scene without revealing too much. It gives just enough information to establish the scale of what is happening while leaving plenty of questions unanswered. Rather than overwhelming the reader with exposition, it teases the larger mystery and creates an immediate sense that there are hidden forces at work long before the main story begins. It is an effective way to build intrigue and makes you eager to discover how everything connects.
From there, we are introduced to the analyst, who serves as an excellent point-of-view character for the audience. Like us, she is trying to piece together fragments of information and understand the shadowy organisations operating beyond the knowledge of the wider world. Through her eyes, we begin to learn about the delicate balance between those who seek to preserve the current world order and those who wish to tear it down and reshape it for their own gain. It’s a clever storytelling device, allowing the reader to uncover the mystery naturally alongside her.
She quickly proves to be much more than someone simply delivering exposition. By reporting on what she has uncovered, she unknowingly paints a target on her own back. Suddenly, she finds herself caught in a conflict she never knew existed, with powerful figures determined to silence her before she can reveal any more. That escalation happens rapidly and gives the issue a real sense of urgency, showing just how dangerous this hidden world truly is.
When Nemo finally makes his entrance, he certainly knows how to make an impression. His arrival is explosive, immediately shifting the story into high gear as the action kicks into full flow. From this point onwards, the issue barely slows down, delivering one exciting sequence after another before eventually allowing both the characters and the readers a chance to catch their breath beneath the sea. The action scenes are exciting without becoming confusing, helped along by sharp dialogue, inventive choreography and some clever tactical moments that show Nemo is far more than just another action hero. He comes across as intelligent, resourceful and experienced, making him an engaging lead from the outset.
Despite the relentless pace, the issue still finds time to begin exploring who Nemo actually is. By the closing pages, we receive some welcome explanations regarding his background and motivations, although the creative team wisely leaves plenty of unanswered questions. There is clearly a significant gap between the events of the prologue and where we find Nemo today, and that mystery only makes me more invested. Rather than feeling frustrating, those missing pieces become something to look forward to as the series progresses.
The final pages also do an excellent job of establishing the direction of the story going forwards. With the conspiracy only just beginning to reveal itself and Nemo stepping into the spotlight, it feels as though this first issue has simply opened the door to a much larger adventure. There are numerous threads waiting to be explored, and the world already feels rich enough to support them.
Overall, this is an explosive debut that delivers mystery, action and intrigue in equal measure. It introduces an engaging protagonist, establishes an interesting supporting cast and builds a conspiracy that immediately makes you want to know more. There is plenty still to uncover, but this first issue does exactly what it needs to do—it grabs your attention from the very beginning and leaves you wanting the next chapter as soon as you’ve finished the first.
Get Mister Nemo #1 at Forbidden Planet:
Junk Punch #2
The Case of the Illegally Stolen Goals is heating up for Clara, and when things heat up, they expand! (It’s called “thermal expansion” and that’s SCIENCE!) In this case, Clara finds that the type of goals being stolen expands way beyond sports goals into Sexy Goals, goals in life, and more!
But when she spills the secret, only one person can save Clara from the ensuing riot, and that person is Clara’s deadliest enemy… the menacing and evil SILVERHAND!! Elaine Silverhand, in this case. Oh no! Do they kiss??
Author: Paul Tobin
Artist: Carlos Javier Olivares
The wonderfully bonkers story continues, delivering another issue packed with absurd humour, inventive action and plenty of unexpected twists. It embraces its bizarre premise from the very first page and never lets up, striking a great balance between laugh-out-loud comedy and a genuinely engaging mystery. If you enjoyed the energy of the first issue, this one builds on it in all the right ways.
The investigation into the missing goals continues to gather momentum, and while the identity of the culprit is finally revealed, that doesn’t mean the mystery is solved. Instead, it feels like we’ve only scratched the surface of what is really going on. Clara finds herself pulled even deeper into this strange world, encountering an assortment of colourful new characters along the way. Some prove to be potential allies, while others quickly establish themselves as fresh enemies, making it increasingly difficult for her to know exactly who she can trust.
Clara remains an entertaining lead throughout the issue. Things certainly don’t go smoothly for her, with fortunes constantly swinging from one extreme to another. One moment she appears to be making real progress, only for everything to unravel in spectacular fashion. Those constant highs and lows keep the pacing lively and make her journey all the more enjoyable to follow.
The assassins also continue to provide a constant source of danger, never allowing Clara a moment to relax. Their relentless pursuit injects plenty of fast-paced action into the story, but even these sequences are filled with the series’ trademark sense of humour. The comic never forgets that it is supposed to be fun, and even during the most chaotic confrontations there are jokes, visual gags and ridiculous situations that stop the action from becoming too serious. The introduction of additional groups and some wonderfully eccentric new personalities only adds to the wonderfully unpredictable nature of the story.
The artwork deserves just as much praise as the writing. Every page is bursting with personality, and there is always something happening in the background that rewards readers who take the time to look a little closer. Small visual jokes, strange background characters and little moments that may or may not have any bearing on the plot make each page feel alive. It is the sort of comic that almost encourages a second read, simply to catch all the details that are easy to miss while following the main action.
What impressed me most was how well the creative team maintains the tone throughout the issue. It constantly walks the line between ridiculous comedy and an engaging mystery without ever tipping too far in either direction. The humour lands naturally, while the plot continues to develop at a satisfying pace. The introduction of the latest villain is another highlight. There’s something surprisingly likeable about them, particularly from Clara’s perspective, which adds an interesting dynamic rather than presenting a straightforward hero-versus-villain conflict.
Perhaps the biggest strength of this issue is that it expands the mystery in an intriguing way. What initially appeared to be a bizarre case involving stolen goals is beginning to reveal itself as something much bigger. It becomes increasingly clear that these goals hold far greater importance than anyone first realised, and there are larger forces at work behind the scenes. By the time the issue reaches its conclusion, the stakes have risen considerably, with Clara finding herself in an even more precarious position than before.
Overall, this is another hugely entertaining instalment that builds confidently on the strong opening issue. It delivers plenty of laughs, energetic action, memorable characters and a mystery that continues to become more compelling with every chapter. With the stakes continuing to rise and Clara facing greater dangers than ever, I’m already looking forward to seeing just how much stranger things can become in the next issue.
I’m excited to see where this goes next!
