Markings

This had a perfect first issue, leading me to exclaim it was one of the hot new books of 2012. It had really good imagery and made me really interested in the story. Who are these Native Americans. Who is that black-clad German. Tell me more about this small vigilante operation (I absolutely love small vigilante operations). All this in a mild-pulp atmosphere, getting the nice darker tone but without the overwhelming monologues and ugly themes. Really really good. Read it again and you see that small guy in all-white behind the yellow line.

Good stuff followed and the story expanded to this ganster guy, this freelance couple with powers, this plotting guy in all-white, the annoying reporter girl who's testy and cocky and rebellious.

Unfortunately, it attempts some emotion and fails. I don't really feel for the characters. I don't really remember the characters. There's of course the top vigilante guy, who we don't get to know well at all. He's just another nameless guy, but he has a mask. He has no character. The atmosphere falls into pieces. The villains aren't very attractive and it's a case of powerful guys going up against normal guys scary. There's no imagination and those Native Americans are forgotten until the last issue action afterthought that's tragically low on impact.

There are some nice points like the first issue and some nice physical action. It's an okay book. It's not really bad. It's not really good.

(Lobster Johnson. The Burning Hand - Mike Mignola and John Arcudi)