Legendary Entertainment 2017
Written by Arvid Nelson
Illustrated by Zid
Colour Assists by Mashuri & Muhammad Iqbal
Story and Mythology Development Barnaby Legg
Lettered & Designed by John Roshell of Comicraft
Join the mysterious organization Monarch on a mission into myth, revealing the untold origins of this god-like creature and the battle for survival that made him the last of his kind.
Now i’m what you would classify as a casual fan of Kong’s. Meaning i’m familiar with his movies, his history and the myriad of comics that have been made about him but I couldn’t recite anything from them. Also I haven’t yet seen the current movie though it’s on my list of what I want to see still, it’s just who can afford to go the theatre that often anymore? I was pleased as punch to learn that my old friend (term used loosely) Arvid was writing this as i’ve been a fan of his since Rex Mundi hit stands. His work over the years as thrilled and amazed me so that he’s behind the characters and characterisation here got me raring to go.
I don’t know how this fits into the grand scheme of things with the movie so it could be a prequel or a sequel I have no idea. I do however like what learn about the Island itself, it’s inhabitants and how long Monarch has known about them. There’s a point in time you have to respect what’s what and that the actions of the past were done for a reason. Though tell anyone of a certain age that and well they’ll always believe otherwise. It’s our duty to explore and tell the world of this place yadda yadda yadda. It’s always like that when the younger generation confronts the older one isn’t it? Still I like the catalyst of what we see and how the story unfolds.
The structure of the story this issue is amazingly well done. It’s got that personal drama, the action and intrigue and a whole lot of run for your life going on. Evenly balanced amid some excellent characterisation and voila you’ve got this amazing first issue that draws the reader in and grabs the attention, curiosity and imagination. I didn't want this to end and seeing how the character are introduced and to see events unfold leaves no doubt in my mind of the cinematic quality of what we see here.
I love the interiors here. I’m going to go out on a limb and say this is computer generated and it looks like next level stuff. If not then i’m even more impressed with the talent Zid possesses because the attention to detail here is astonishing! From the clothes, to faces to the way backgrounds are used it’s almost like you can feel the sway of the ocean, the breeze on a branch and know the exact feeling a character has. Also the use of page layouts through angles and perspective are spectacular to see. The work done here blows me away and brings that hope and promise of the franchise to life exceedingly well.
So we meet Aaron and we learn about him and who he is, what he’s doing and why and I can’t help but wonder about one thing. Granted he’s mixed race character, black and asian, so why does he feel like the proverbial angry black man? I just wish he weren’t so angry and so certain that his way was the only right way. Still it does make what happens easier to see come to fruition and if there’s guilt or remorse to come seeing that play out will be some fascinating character study.
Not to poo poo what Boom! Did but this is seriously on track with what I see the movies having been about. This isn’t so much as a way to explore this world as it is to expand what is already there and prepare us for what’s next.