You know what Berserker is like? It’s like a Rob Zombie film on paper. This first issue will make sense if you’ve already read the excellent #0 primer, but there’s enough going on here to not be completely perplexed.
It begins, and ends with a car crash, which leaves the bulk of the issue to deal with the how and why of said crash. Aaron and Courtney are a young couple fed up with their boring high school life. They need a break, or at least an escape, and after Aaron freaks out at a wrestling competition, they decide to take the opportunity to skip town for a new life.
Similarly an older couple, Farris and Eva are looking to leave their dull metal shop jobs and sleazy boss. Readers of the #0 issue will know Farris as the captured Marine somehow cursed with an unexplainable rage and a tendency to separate nearby heads from their bodies. There’s no further explanation as to the whys of all the bloodletting just yet, but the Norse mythology angle that was promised in the solicitations is more prominent in this issue.
We are introduced to two agents of some kind, namely Rowena Dauven and Ray Becket. The latter is apparently, “Asgard’s rising star,” and these two have a tug of war over Aaron and Farris. It’s a quick and brutal fight, and just what the interest in the two berserkers is has yet to be shown, but seeds are planted for future issues.
Writer Rick Loverd (Friday Night Lights) paces things well, and conveys the oppressive nature of a small town existence for the two leads beautifully. Jeremy Haun’s art is rich with blood and pulp and tissue and goo. He seems to be enjoying himself. It’s so grotesque that I couldn’t help but laugh at the black comedy of it all, especially the last page which is similar to the closer of the #0 issue. Haun brings forth the shock and horror of the few quick fight scenes splendidly, like a so-bad-it’s-good horror film from the ‘80s.
Without the Norse angle this could easily venture in to more mundane, schlock territory, but I reckon Loverd and Haun are creating a bold series that goes past blood and guts tactics. This book comes to shelves via Heroes star Milo Ventimiglia and his DiVide Pictures and Top Cow were the best publisher to bring it to. With series like Impaler and The Darkness, they get it, and are building an interesting stable of raw, mature titles.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. revealed today the names of the participating retailers in their “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative for June and the next free issue in the program – Berserker #1.
“We’re incredibly proud of the work Rick and Jeremy have done on Berserker #1 and excited that Top Cow believes in the series enough to give out free copies to retailers and fans,” said Milo Ventimiglia, star of NBC’s Heroes and co-founder of DiVide Pictures.
At Broken Frontier is my review for this week’s Impaler #3 from the fine folks at Image. What’s it all about you ask? Basically, Vlad the Impaler comes to our century to help the overwhelmed military kill as many vampires as possible. This has been a great series so far, and certainly not one for the kids. Blood and profanity flow freely, and it looks superbly gothic thanks to artist Matt Timson. This is the kind of comic you read while listening to Metallica, if you’re into that sort of thing. Here’s a peek at my review.
Who doesn’t like pretty coffee table books adorned with prettier art? That’s a rhetorical question. 
Top Cow’s gorgeously gruesome vampire chiller, Impaler continues its blood letting, with issue 3 out on May 28.
Top Cow’s solicitations for their July releases are now out. This is the complete list.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. revealed today the names of the participating retailers in their “Let Us Win YOU Over” initiative for April and the program would continue the second part of their “War of the Witchblades” storyline – Witchblade #126.
On sale now is The Darkness #76 from Top Cow. Written by Phil Hester with art by Michael Broussard, a gruesome preview as well as Top Cow’s description of the issue, is below.
Top Cow Productions, Inc. proudly announced today that The Darkness issue #76, which will be released in March 25th, will contain a variant cover contributed by artist Josh Medors (30 Days of Night, Runes of Ragnan). As many in the comic community are aware, Medors has been courageously combating a rare form of cancer since 2008. A second cover for The Darkness #76, illustrated by artist Frazer Irving (Silent War), will also be offered.
comicbookjesus 