Review - Lobster Johnson; Get the Lobster #1Review by Paul Fiander
|
|
Lobster Johnson is proving to be one of the Mingolaverse’s most interesting characters. The noir style of his stories coupled with his tactics and the overall mystery surrounding him make a (anti) hero worth checking in with. This is the 16th book concerning Mr Johnson but the great thing is each mini feels like it is self contained so you can jump on at any point and still not feel lost. So we start his new mini series; Get the Lobster in 1934 New York.
The 30’s setting allows for a wonderful aesthetic to the whole issue, from the cars to the weapons and of course the fashion. It’s a small feature that has a huge importance to the visuals of any comic. If the look of the characters is out of place then the story can feel less genuine damaging the narrative and overall success of the book. Thankfully Tonic Zonjic has got the feel of the art just right throughout the whole issue. The 30’s conceit also gives us a wonderful opportunity to explore two seemingly American passions wrestling and hatred for the USSR. Of course at this time the soviet bloc was still that, collection of states under one flag and one rule. The hatred seemingly came from the Communist control of the country as we can feel as a Policeman in the crowd heckles the unfairly injured Russian wrestler with "Serves Ya Right, Ya Dirty Red" |
Now I do not know enough about the culture at the time to really comment but the way it’s portrayed on the pages gives you a great sense of the time. Of course what happens next is somewhat of a shock and creates a great opening issue.
In other news reporter Cindy Tyman is delving deeper into the origin of the Lobster as we see her reading over her opening article in a five part series called; Who is The Lobster? The trouble with being a vigilante is operating outside the law and this can make you a target for all. This is a common trope in hero stories from Spiderman and his relationship with J Jonah Jameson to Batman and the Gotham police. The relationship here seems well handled and you do get the feeling the Lobster is both loved and hated but most of all respected as a crime fighter.
As always when the action kicks off its great to see and the main fight is followed by a reveal that you can see coming but still has the power to send a shiver up your spine. Lobster Johnson is back but the question is for how long?
In other news reporter Cindy Tyman is delving deeper into the origin of the Lobster as we see her reading over her opening article in a five part series called; Who is The Lobster? The trouble with being a vigilante is operating outside the law and this can make you a target for all. This is a common trope in hero stories from Spiderman and his relationship with J Jonah Jameson to Batman and the Gotham police. The relationship here seems well handled and you do get the feeling the Lobster is both loved and hated but most of all respected as a crime fighter.
As always when the action kicks off its great to see and the main fight is followed by a reveal that you can see coming but still has the power to send a shiver up your spine. Lobster Johnson is back but the question is for how long?
The Comic is available in both print and digital from Dark Horse comics. Follow this link for more details.
More from the Lobster Johnson Archives
|
Lobster Johnson; a Scent of Lotus #1
With a Chinese gang starting to lose members Lobsters world is starting to change. Who is this new enemy on the streets? This review may help to shed some light |
Images courtesy of Dark Horse Comics
Comic - Provided by Dark Horse Comics
Comic - Provided by Dark Horse Comics
