Enginehead #1 (2004)

Enginehead #1 (June, 2004)
"First Gear"
Writer - Joe Kelly
Penciller & Inker - Ted McKeever
Colorist - Chris Chuckry
Letterer - Ken Lopez
Associate Editor - Michael Wright
Editor - Bob Schreck
Cover Price: $2.50

Ted McKeever is one of those artists whose work I will always follow.  Ever since first encountering him in Rachel Pollacks Doom Patrol run, I have been a fan.  His style is just so unique and fun to look at, and has the ability to portray things as beautiful or grotesque... sometimes both.

Enginehead was one of those titles that kinda flew under my radar... and I think I somehow confused it with the Joe Kelly/Chris Bachalo Steampunk series.  Chris Bachalo is another artist who I follow (and really wish he'd do more work for DC) and as such, each time I saw this series I thought it was the other... which I already had.

While reading through the Image-Shadowline Ted McKeever Library edition of Metropol, I started checking through my library to see what other McKeever goodness I had... I was surprised to see an Enginehead-sized hole in my collection.  Something I quickly remedied... but, didn't actually get around to reading until quite a bit later... Let's see what's in store for us.

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We open with a strange monologue discussing how best laid plans often go awry, as an orbiting satellite begins coming apart at its seams.  The satellite plummets to Earth crashing in a fiery mess right outside the StarFall Diner in the questionably populated Leadbelly, USA.

Our scene shifts to a ramshackle home in Brooklyn, New York.  Inside a creepy little bastard is flipping through a sleazy skin mag.  With him is a larger gentleman who is referred to as Big Brother.  He is carving up a "bookie scumbag" with a rusty chunk of metal... apparently doing so as a favor for his diminutive skeevy associate.  He finishes up the gig, and tells the perv not to bother calling him again.

Later, Big Bro is sitting on a park bench, next to another shrimpy fellow called Grimes... to whom he hands over his earnings.  We learn that the big guy is named Samuel Corrado.  Now an ex-con just trying to get along, finds himself somewhat enslaved to Grimes, doing all of his kneecapping and leg-breaking.

We get our proper introduction to Jackhammer aka Ford Corrado... I'm assuming this is either the brother to Samuel... or actually is Samuel.  At one point a member of the supervillain foursome, "The Toolbox".  We come to find he's had run ins with a heat-vision having "Blue S.O.B." (or was that Samuel?)... which is my first indication that this is not the stand-alone series I'd expected... this is actually taking place in the DC Universe.

Ford returns home... locks himself in the garage... and starts his car.  The garage begins filling up with exhaust and Ford begins to lull into his final sleep.  As he drifts off, he has a brief conversation with the pin-up girl on his calendar.

Just as Ford's about to bid the world adieu, a robotic monkey (yup) tears open the garage door... and rescues our man before he draws his final breath.

We jump to Detroit, Michigan.  A large dreadlocked man is making a sort of offer to... Metal Man, Tin.  Yup, this is in the DC Universe... The man, who is referred to later as "Mechanic" appears to have designs on building something.  Tin turns down the offer and bounces away.  The monkey (called Grease Monkey, natch) arrives and has with him the "sixth cylinder".

Shorty, Ford awakens... he sees five people looking down at him, including Professor Emil Hamilton, Automan, Rosie the Riveter, Brainstorm, and Doctor Cyber.  The fivesome bicker back and forth, in an attempt to assuage the nervousness they're all experiencing.

The six folks are all loaded onto an odd machine by the Mechanic.  At the last moment, Ford begins to realize the situation he's in... which is quite interesting, considering just a bit earlier he was ready to (and almost did) take his own life.

The machine engages, and results in an explosive skyward beam leaving the facility in shambles.  At first it doesn't appear as though anything happened... however, from the wreckage lumbers out... Enginehead.

--

I gotta say, I'm not totally sure what in the world I just read... but I really liked it.  Much of that is likely due to my McKeever bias, however, the story... what I understood of it, is quite intriguing.  It's almost an uncomfortable read... like, you feel gritty and grimy after experiencing it.  That's not always a bad thing... and in the case of Enginehead, I'd argue it adds greatly to the experience.

I really had no idea that this story took place in the actual DC Universe.  I was certain this was just a story that happened to be published by DC... I'm glad I was wrong.  It's fun to picture these characters inhabiting the same universe as our favorite heavy hitters.

I'm not accustomed to seeing McKeever art in color... much of what I read of his work is in (stunning) black and white.  The lack of color really makes his work "pop".  That said, the color work here was really quite nice... and subdued enough not to take anything away from the pencil/ink work.

There's a lot to be confused about in this issue... I'm not sure how much of the opening sequence will be revisited.  Was that pervert a recurring character, or was he just there to give us a taste of what Samuel has to deal with on a day-to-day basis?  Are Samuel and Ford twins... or are they the same guy?  Why was Ford trying to off himself... or was this the "date" that Samuel mentioned to Grimes?    The Samuel/Ford situation is definitely the most aggravating part of this issue, however, I have faith in the creative team that it will all come together in the end (or that maybe I just missed the explanation)... this is only the first issue after all... and a damn fine one at that.

This series only ran six issues, and I am unsure if it was always solicited as such, or if it was an ongoing that just didn't make it.  I can certainly see it getting canned sadly, as this will definitely not be everybody's cup of tea.  It's confusing, it's disturbing, and it's different... that said, I totally recommend it.  Hell, even if you leave the story out, Ted McKeever's art is fun enough to look at alone... and who knows, the story may make more sense without words anyway.

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Slash Maraud #1 (1987)

Slash Maraud #1 (November, 1987)
"Beautiful Blues"
Writer/Co-Creator - Doug Moench
Artist/Co-Creator - Paul Gulacy
Colorist - Adrienne Roy
Letterer - John Costanza
Editors - Doug Moench & Andy Helfer
Cover Price: $1.75

Another weird book from the 80's... First time I saw this one, I was instantly reminded of the opening credits for Saved by the Bell.  I almost expected Slash to start calling women "Momma" and the girl on the motorcycle to get hooked on caffeine pills.

Can it even hope to live up to such lofty expectations?  Let's find out...

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A trench-coated 1980's action hero is riding his motorcycle through the desert... on the horizon is a jungle.  On his way there he passes a pile of what appear to be dinosaur bones... there's a good reason for that... because, you see... here there be dinosaurs.

Slash is trying to rescue a geeky Dodgers fan called Rover from a hungry mutated dinosaur.  Slash manages to fire off a shot to the Saur's face, and it gives chase... in the clearing, a cluster of be-mouthed tentacles rise out of the ground, and begin eating the terrible lizard.

Once the beast stops twitching, the hungry Slash chops off a chunk of its tail to share with his new sidekick, Rover.  While the pair dine over an open fire, their conversation takes a turn for the contentious.  While discussing the current state of the Earth since the invading Shapers have begun occupying Rover accuses Slash of being a Fuzz-Licker, which is a derogatory term for a sympathizer to the alien invaders... and even comes at him with a blade.  He mustn't know... but, ya don't step to Slash.  Ol' Rover gets a fatal gouge to the gut for his troubles.

We shift to the Las Vegas strip.  In the words of our narrator, it's hot and gaudy.  We witness a small group of nuns get blasted by ray guns.

Inside a nearby club, a Monkey faced band entertains a group of unsavory patrons... including three fuzzy creatures wearing some kind of regal military garb.  The Fuzzies choose a few girls for entertainment, and the "party' rolls on.

Outside, our man Slash is chatting up a scarred stripper, who warns him that there are Shapers inside... Slash continues inside anyway.  We get a good look at several of the post-alien Invasion Las Vegas freaks lurking about as well, giving the story some great flavor.

Inside, Slash is approached by a blue-haired zebra-leotard clad waitress.  They appear to already know each other, and Slash orders a drink... to be drank, upstairs.

Moments later, the waitress... who we learn is called Wild Blue, gives Slash some room service.  While there they reconnect, and Blue proposes that he "save humanity" by ousting the Fuzzies.

Some background is given on the Shapers.  The world they come from has become uninhabitable, and they have decided to remake the Earth in their image... leaving all of humanity with only five years left before the Earth is no longer hospitable to them.  Blue shows Slash a picture of a man (Dr. X), hidden inside the bottle cap of his drink.  This lends to the feeling that there is a measure of surveillance going on at all times.  After a short kiss, Slash promises he'll be back in an hour with his answer.

We shift scenes to an asteroid.  It's more Fuzzies... and they are questioning the effectiveness of their current Las Vegas contingent.  We also get a neat scene showing how the reshaping of the Earth is actually well under way.

Shortly, the new Fuzzies land in Vegas and approach the old guard.  They express concern that they aren't quite as effective as they should be... and draws mention of their indulgent behavior.  Commander Sarkh, of the old guard explains that they have done everything asked of them... but for the moment, they're bored.

New alien Kargh decides to relieve them of their duties... which Sarkh is more than happy with.  One of them starts vaporizing fools, including a woman whose "kisses reeked".  I really wish the aliens were given a bit more identifiable features, as when they're grouped, it's nearly impossible to tell them apart and notice just who's doing what.

The "reeky kiss" comment seemed to trigger something in our man Slash... and he returns to Blue.  Once inside, he breaks his beer bottle over the back of her head.  She was, in fact, a Shaper!  The two do battle until the real (and bound) Wild Blue bursts out of a closet and helps finish the Fuzzy off.

Slash and the real Wild Blue reconnect, and Slash tells her that he's on board for the plan.  The Shapers begin their attack on the pair, and Slash blows a hole in the floor through which they can escape... or can they...

--

This was a lot of fun.  In a way, it kind of turns the standard alien invasion/occupation story on its ear.  I really like the idea of the aliens getting bored while waiting for the "master plan" to go down.  It's a new angle (at least to me) on this type of tale.  You'd have to figure, at some point... they'd run out of things to do "on assignment" and would have to amuse themselves by whatever means available.

Our introduction to the titular Slash Maraud was well done.  From what we learn, he's a bit of a problem-solver.  He saves that goofball Rover, and we come to find that he was a few Fuzzies under his belt.  If what Sarkh says is true, that makes Slash a one-in-a-million threat to the designs of the invading Shapers.

The world being reshaped is an interesting touch... I like having dinosaurs within driving distance to a large city.  It really opens the world up to be explored and fleshed out... really, under these "rules" the sky is the limit for what Slash may encounter... I really like that.

Two things that were kind of confusing to me... and I'll concede it may be my density here.  I alluded earlier, but the Shapers looking exactly alike really made it difficult (for me) to follow the later nightclub scene.  Also, Slash's reeky kiss... are we to believe that the first Wild Blue (the one that he kissed) was a Fuzzy in disguise?  Or was that the real deal... and if so, whose kiss "reeked"?

I have no complaints about the writing nor the art.  Both suit the story quite well.  Slash's character design is fitting in a 1980's action hero kinda way, and I really like the look of the Shapers.  The "world building" montage by Gulacy was awesome!  I just love stuff like that.  He also did a wonderful job evoking the grit of an enslaved (and somewhat demented) human race... just great stuff!  I'm interested to see how this one pans out... definitely worth a grab if you come across it.  I doubt it will ever be collected, so this will be a single-issue hunt.  Shouldn't be all that difficult to find, and isn't likely to hurt the wallet.

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Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter #3 (1975)

Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter #3 (August-September, 1975)
"Claws of the Dragon!"
Based on a Novel by - Jim Dennis
Interpreted by - Denny O'Neil
Art by - Jack Kirby
Inker/Letterer - D. Bruce Berry
Cover Price: $0.25

Been awhile since I dipped into the 1970's and figured may as well do so with DC's Kung-Fu Fighter himself, Richard Dragon.  Now, just who in the hell is Richard Dragon?

I only have a passing knowledge of Rich, as around the turn of the century... if I'm not mistaken, it was revealed that Richard Dragon (Kung-Fu Fighter) was responsible for training many of the DC Universes heaviest hitters... including Batman, Nightwing, Huntress, and Barbara Gordon (as Oracle!).

Back in the 1970's Denny O'Neil and Jim Berry (under the shared pseudonym of Jim Dennis) created this fella for the novel Dragon's Fists.  Perhaps a sign of the times, their character made his way into the DC Universe... I'm not sure if he was before or after Shang-Chi (who is not only a Kung-Fu Fighter... but has possession of the Deadly Hands of Kung-Fu), as Shang first appeared in 1973... at which point, I would assume that the Jim Dennis novel would have been at the very least in the planning stages.

I suppose, ultimately it doesn't matter... let's see him take on the Weapon Masters in this O'Neil/Kirby kollaboration!

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We open as a battle rages on in a New York City pawn shop.  Richard Dragon (Kung-Fu Fighter) is embroiled in hand to hand combat with... well, the Combatants (that's easy!) to rescue the lovely Carolyn Wotami.  Dragon's successful in distracting the goons long enought for Wotami to get away.  The entire scene looks like something out of the Kung-Fu Nintendo game... and that's not a bad thing.

Outside, Wotami runs away... straight into the waiting arms of Doctor Octo... err, The Swiss... the man who pulls all the strings (for the Combatants, anyway).  He grabs her, and drops a mention of a "laser frequency" she knows about.  Wotami struggles, and manages to take a bite out of The Swiss... she gets away long enough to rattle off a call for help, that the nearby Richard Dragon (Kung-Fu Fighter) manages to hear.

Dragon charges in the direction of The Swissmobile, where The Swiss is dragging the young Ms. Wotami.  We shift from Kung-Fu to Double Dragon, as Rich is attacked by some nameless mooks on the street.  The geeks claim to be disciples of the Wan Chang style.  A quick Google search identifies "Wan Chang" as a style of fine writing... so, Richard Dragon (Kung-Fu Fighter) had better watch his penmanship.

How does Richard Dragon (Kung-Fu Fighter) get tripped up?  What's next, a low-bridge?

Dragon, no slouch himself, engages the gentleman using the forms of Judo and Aikido.  He flips the geeks, and utilizes a nerve pinch to put 'em outta commission.

Sadly, he is too late to rescue Wotami, and nearly gets hit by the runaway Swissmobile.

After collecting himself, Richard Dragon (Ku... okay, I'm gonna stop that now) returns home to his ghetto mansion (seriously).  He meets with his best friend, Ben... who is currently hobbling about on crutches, no doubt the result of an earlier adventure.

Ben hands his buddy a letter that had been hand-delivered... which kinda puts the kibosh on the super secret ghetto mansion base, don't it?  Anyhoo, the letter is written with a German accent, in which Rich is referred to as Herr Dragon.. it is a challenge to battle!

XOXO, The Swiss
P.S. I know where you live!

Our Kung-Fu Fighter excuses himself and heads to a tiny room at the top of the mansion.  Inside there are several ancient eastern artifacts, including a tiny jade claw on a chain.  This is the titular Dragon's Claw, given to him by his Master O-Sensei (which just so happens to be my favorite Journey song)... and it will serve as Richard Dragon's protection charm during the upcoming rumble.

We shift scenes to the abandoned Thunder Rock Winery in upstate New York.  Inside, The Swiss has assembled the Weapon Masters, and placed a lofty price on Herr Dragon's head.  Each Weapon Master is... the master of a different weapon.  Among the crew is a lone cameraman meant to get the entire event on film.

hiya!

Richard Dragon arrives on the scene to once again rescue Ms. Wotami.  The Swiss lays out the rules of the game.  He may have her, if he can defeat the Weapon Masters... unbeknownst to Dragon, even if he does come out victorious, The Swiss has rigged some explosive barrels as a contingency.

The next several pages feature a very entertaining, and well-choreographed fight scene in which Richard takes care of all but one of the Weapon Masters... and is left standing before the one who wields a chained weapon... with both a scythe and a spiked mace.  Dragon lets his guard down at the wrong moment, and winds up having his left arm smashed.

Dragon takes this opportunity to change up his fighting strategy... rather than be on the offensive, he will now use his opponents momentum against him.  The foe swings wildly, while Richard swiftly dodges... the battle rages and knocks the poor cameraman off a ladder, leaving him to fall directly onto the blade of a scythe.

whoops...

With victory within his grasp, Richard sets his sights on The Swiss.  The Swiss, true to his earlier threat, ignites the explosives and blows the winery sky high.  Our hero is able to escape the wreckage, only to find that The Swiss has once again made off with the lovely Ms. Wotami.

--

Well, that was certainly something.  Such a weird comic... I'm really not sure what I thought about it, though I can say I enjoyed reading it.  Whether or not that means it's any good... I dunno.

The dialogue comes across as pretty stilted... definitely doesn't feel like a Denny O'Neil script.  It's almost as though we're reading a foreign kung-fu film that had been dubbed in English... poorly, like for 70's movie authenticity.  Lines like "Begin... Oh, Yes, Yes... Do!" strike me as being purposefully awkward as though it was only said in attempt at syncing with a foreign actor's lips.  I'm pretty sure this is all in my head... but, it's a fun way to look at it!

On to the art... it's always a treat to see Jack Kirby's work in a non-reprint format.  That said, there's definitely something... off... about many of the faces in this issue.  Granted, the King's got his face-types, and I get that they're not for everybody... but, this issue feels different.  Everybody has a "mook" face... and the character The Swiss goes from normal dude to mole person from panel to panel.

Worth tracking down?  Nahhh... it's fun, and weird... and that's good enough for me.  I get the feeling this one doesn't cast too wide a net over a frothing fandom, though... I like weird novelty comics, and also understand why others may not.  If kooky 1970's comics are your thing, than there's no reason why Richard Dragon, Kung-Fu Fighter shouldn't be part of your well-balanced comics diet.

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