Writer: Kevin Rubio
Artist: Lucas Marangon
Publisher: Red 5 Comics
EDITOR’s NOTE: The second issue of Abyss arrives in stores this Wednesday, December 12.
You ever meet someone who just has different tastes than you do? When discussing the merits of a subjective piece of art, both parties can agree about the particulars of a book (who, what, where, etc.). Maybe even at the end of the day both see eye to eye on the finer nuances that you are sure will win anyone over. Only when deciding to give it a thumb up or down, the digits go in opposite directions.
At Wizard World Texas, I had this very discussion with someone at the Red 5 Comics table when presented with this very issue of Abyss. As much as I wanted to jump up and down proclaiming how much I loved the issue, he wasn’t going to budge. “Yeah, I just didn’t think it was that funny,” he exclaimed to me. To each his or her own I suppose. Regardless, while I realize this book won’t be in every reader’s wheelhouse, if you don’t find this book worth reading after the second issue I’m not sure what to tell you.
Rubio is quite ably continuing the humorous take on a boy inheriting his father’s house, fortune and super-villain identity after dad faked his own death. Still searching for the bomb the original Abyss planted, Eric Hoffman is confronted by the Arrow, his father’s main foil. What I enjoyed the most was hearing Raifer (Eric’s dad) discussing his reason for hating the green-hooded hero. Learning that Arrow has lost six different sidekicks (one due to the Abyss) in the field of battle is not only sobering, but it paints him in a less than flattering light. Sure we have seen Batman lose a Boy (or Girl) Wonder before, but six? Even how he speaks to his current partner in crime fighting “Quiver” seems so callous, almost as if he’s anticipating the day when she meets her end. Of course, the end is very near and Raifer has devised quite a devious plan to snuff her out.
The romantic aspect between Eric and Quiver was a bit clichéd, but also a cute wrinkle to the dialogue laden fight scene that plays through the issue. They flirted like young teens, argued over names, even critiquing each other’s costumes. When Eric questions the Quiver with, “Yeah, well at least I don’t have a bull’s eye on my chest,” her response is, “It’s a motif!” Of course, Eric’s response is, “It’s a moving target, is what it is.” The fact that the younger Hoffman asks her out while a crossbow is pointed at his head shows not only his teenage hormones, but his inexperience. In layman’s terms, I loved it! I can see this relationship coming into play the next issue, which is most likely the rescue attempt we know is coming. Hopefully he can save a damsel in distress better than he can locate a bomb.
Marangon also continues his impressive art chores, giving the reader plenty of big action, as well as demonstrate the characterization that this title is going to be known for. Not only does Lucas depict the teenage angst needed for Eric’s character, but the older Hoffman gets just as much care with his tawdry toying around with the son he was never around for. Quiver could have looked a bit more girly in the face for my tastes, but her obvious curves probably make up for it with most readers. There’s just something about a square-jawed, plump faced woman that doesn’t quite communicate sex appeal to me. I also wasn’t exactly sure why Raifer got black holes for eyes at times. Apparently wearing black eye make up is in for this year’s super villain, or I may be way off. Either way, it’s not enough to take away from what I feel is superior art from an artist we should be seeing more of in the industry.
No doubt many readers fell in love with the one-liners that filled the first issue, as did I, but it would appear that great story telling was what earned my praise this time around. The jokes were still there, Rubio is too good at writing humor to let that get away from him. Instead, he decided to open up the stables and show he is more than a one-trick pony as a writer. Please try this book out, I’m begging you.
What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!