Insert your favorite howl-at-the-moon sound effect here, because that’s what I feel like doing now that Image’s trade paperback of THE ASTOUNDING WOLF-MAN: VOLUME 1 is finally out. I’d been looking forward to it since the 2007 Free Comic Book Day preview, but months of delay taunted me. There’s something to be said for delayed gratification, however, and for the most part, this book does not disappoint.
Robert Kirkman tosses out most of the clichés surrounding werewolves in making his main character not a monster per se, but a superhero — costume, cool car and all. Good-guy businessman Gary Hampton becomes a beast after being bitten — and nearly killed — by one at a campground. He slips into a coma, but one day awakes suddenly — and inexplicably, good as new.
He doesn’t realize it at first, but every 30 days, for a couple of months, he wolfs out in the dead of night and mauls some poor, innocent citizen. It’s not until he learns of his curse — from vampire Zechariah — that he also learns it can be controlled. He can transform himself into a wolf and back again at any point after darkness falls, lunar cycle be damned.
Gary decides to put his newfound super-strength to a world of good by becoming a superhero, even though the city already has its fair share. Thus, The Astounding Wolf-Man is born. He helps put some otherworldly beasts out of commission, but it’s not all roses. For one thing, his wife and daughter feel neglected. For another, his business is having big troubles. And, perhaps most importantly, Gary may not quite have as much of a handle on his powers as he thinks.
All of Kirkman’s quirks — good and bad — are present. On the down side, the story is sometimes overweighed with dialogue, and he may jump too quickly from one plot point to another. On the other hand, never underestimate his ability to surprise. There are several points among these seven issues where I thought, “Holy crap! I can’t believe he just went there!” Such things keep the story crackling.
I also like that he made Wolf-Man a true superhero, albeit a highly flawed one. But best of all, I love that he chose rising star Jason Howard to illustrate his scripts. As the penciller, inker and colorist, the art is all up to his creativity, and his sharp, angular style is perfect for this endeavor. He can draw action, he can draw horror, he can draw drama. This collection is supplemented with a number of progression sketches that lend insight into the development of this title and its characters, of which I want to see much, much more. —Rod Lott
OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• THE IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN VOL. 1: LOW-LIFE by Robert Kirkman
• THE IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN VOL. 2: SMALL-MINDED by Robert Kirkman
• MARVEL ZOMBIES by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips
• MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips
• TECH JACKET VOL. 1: THE BOY FROM EARTH by Robert Kirkman and E.J. Su
Related posts:
- Marvel Zombies 2
- Tech Jacket Vol. 1: The Boy from Earth
- The Irredeemable Ant-Man Vol. 1: Low-Life / Vol. 2: Small-Minded
- Marvel Zombies vs. Army of Darkness
- Wolf’s Trap
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Sounds cool. I’m currently reading Marvel’s WEREWOLF BY NIGHT VOL 2 and the whole werewolf as superhero concept is a direction I hoped for with that book, but it seems like the idea is more about how to put hero Jack Russell (!) in situations where he conveniently forgets he’s going to turn into a werewolf when the full moon comes out.
I was underwhelmed by the FCBD issue, but I may go ahead and pick this up on your recommend – I’m a big fan of Kirkman’s INVINCIBLE and enjoy most of his other stuff (though I tired of WALKING DEAD long ago).
I tired of WALKING DEAD shortly into the first trade.