Writer: Garth Ennis

Artist: Russ Braun

Colorist: Dono Sanchez Almara

 

Much like my review last week, I was given a gift this week with one of my most anticipated new series coming out of Marvel’s Secret Wars. Here, I got my absolute most desired in Where Monsters Dwell. For some it’s Alan Moore, others Grant Morrison, but for me, whenever Garth Ennis has a new book, I’m sprinting to buy it. After Ennis’ last Marvel work, Fury MAX, expectations couldn’t be higher, and I’m happy to say that they were well met.

Right off the bat, we are introduced to Karl Kaufmann, the Flying Ace who is the quintessential bad boy from the WWII era. Showboating, having no care for anyone but himself deep down, this intro drew us straight into the world, one we traditionally don’t see at Marvel. When Clemmie comes looking for a way to get to Port, she and Karl are thrust into an incredible journey to a crazy place, being bombarded by Pterodactyls. We come to discover that Clemmie may be a lot more than we once thought, and with a final page which cues us for more wackiness, issue two only looks to get better. What really got to me in this issue what the Ennis humor creeping in, which is so unlike Marvel style. Needless to say, I loved every bit of it; it’s like taking some of the best parts of The Boys and placing it in the time period of War Stories. This book is a perfect example of what this event can do. Readers that may only try Marvel or DC books can pick this up, possibly be intrigued (and really, you can’t not be), and pick up some of Ennis’ War books, which are hands down some of the best comics ever written. I was a little nervous that the Marvel banner wouldn’t bring out the best Ennis, but this story is really inspired, has a nice pulpy feel, and, in the vein of Preacher and War Stories, this just needs to be added to his run of success.

I’ve come across Russ Braun once or twice before, but I adored his work here. While it’s hard to nail down specifics on what I enjoyed, it comes down to being a perfect fit for the book. I know that Ennis and Braun have done some work before, and this issue showcases the rapport I’m sure these two have. The facial work done really hammers home Ennis’ strong dialogue work, and MAN can he draw planes, which I know are not the easiest on an artist. With the introduction of dinosaurs toward the end of the issue, it’s going to be exciting to see what Braun has in store for us.

I tend to get excited about the books I read, but this is a real gem. If you skip every book in Secret Wars, this one is an absolute can’t miss. This isn’t a lover of comics specific thing, this is all fiction. Come see some masters at work here.

 

5 No-Balls out of 5

 

Reviewed By: Brett Israel