Vasion
Hall, Johnson
SPOILER ALERT!
I will most certainly be SPOILING!
Vasion #1 is a different take on comics, stylistically. The very first thing I noticed was the terribly wordy introduction that is required reading if you want any context at all for the rest of the comic. The internal art is actually stunning, with a lot of vibrant colors and crisp, distinct actions happening in each panel. But here is where we reach a really strange, and after an entire comic of it, drawling design choice for this comic; the narration. Narration normally serves a purpose, and some of Vasion’s is well placed and pertinent. However, nearly every action…indeed every panel, is explained in words. If you are going to do this, why bother making a comic? Perhaps, I’m being a little harsh, but the redundancy of the comic showing me, and then telling me exactly what happens begins to take away from the experience. The story itself is almost entirely in the prologue, which makes the action key. There is a secret race living amongst humans who are under siege by an indestructible beast by the name of Devour. This issue seems to have the purpose of showing how futile it is to attack the monster, and introduce a single character; Captain Anders.
Alright! Vasion #2 is done quite a bit better than the first. The narration is toned WAY down and since the lengthy exposition was taken care of in issue #1, there was no reason to throw it at the reader again. My problem with this series is two fold: first there is no real depth to it. Action is fantastic and it does drive comics, but that is all there is to offer here. Still the art is incredible, and the comic is beautiful. Second, how does that exposition effect our story. This series is shaping up to be a monster fight event, not unlike the first time the Hulk encounters the larger Marvel universe. At least this time Captain Anders and his subordinates have a greater plan. With the narration cut down, the art tells the story in a powerful way. This battle remains one sided, but at least we have Devour feeling some pain. The third wave, air support, is on it’s way. Hopefully things take a dramatic turn, or Captain Anders will have a short run as a character indeed.
The conclusion of the “All Out War” story arc was just as fast paced and explosion filled as the previous two issues. The first, and most striking moment in the comic is the aftermath of the first RPG that Devour takes to the face. He has one eye destroyed, which limits some of his armament; he shoots lasers from his eyes. Like most animals, Devour gets ten times more vicious now that he is wounded. The imploding mine that finally takes down the beast is a pretty awesome little piece of fiction that is also a believable way to stop a nearly indestructible monster. Having buried it, Captain Anders carries himself as a proper and cautious military commander, making sure all of the loose ends are tied up. The beast is not dead, but looks to be dying, and the Captain is heading home.
I really enjoyed reading this comic, mostly for the art, and the fast paced brevity. It was refreshing after reading Transformers titles where you can barely glimpse the art through the text. While a little depth would be appreciated, and a little more context about the world and what makes the Enforce special, you got what you paid for with this comic; a monster fighting the military. I’ll be interested in seeing the world grow in issues to come.
My rating 3.5 / 5
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sounds pretty good.