Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
1872 #1
Marvel Comics
Duggan, Virella & Loughridge
"1872" is a Western comic book that takes some of the Marvel characters and puts them in a small town in the old west. There are plenty of Western staples, such as the straight-edge lawman, the crooked mayor, the Indian captive, the town drunk and the town doctor. However, the comic book is presented in a fresh fashion that makes the read a solid one and something to pick up. I recommend checking this comic book out.
Steve Rogers is the lawman that is trying to change the image of the town. He saves an Indian from a lynching that turns some eyes on him in a bad way. Fisk is the mayor that seems to have taken out plenty of badges before that don't march to the beat of his drum. However, this story also contains a mysterious Governor that seems to keep Fisk on a short leash as well.
Rogers isn't alone in his fight. Tony Stark used to be a gun manufacture but has turned into the town drunk. He still has the wisdom and some fight left in him but he is in need of some saving. Banner is the doctor of the town that seems to be one of the few men that keeps a low profile while challenging Fisk's authority. Things begin to heat up for Rogers by the comic's ending.
If you like Westerns then this is the comic book for you. Sure this comic seems like dozens of others set in this time period, but the characters are familiar and the flow of the book makes it a good read. If you aren't a fan of the genre is this book going to get you excited? Probably not, but it does seem to have a very loose tie to Secret Wars if that appeals to you.
The artwork is great. I enjoyed the way the panels were designed with the half page spread across the top of two page and smaller panels across the bottom. This did highlight some missteps that occur with the dialogue as Stark makes a very tame crack about 'damn that dam' and the next panel has Rogers barking at him about letting him do his job. Beyond that the book flowed well despite the unique book layout. The pencils capture the characters and the tension really well throughout the comic. The artwork definitely is a highlight in the comic book.
"1872" is some of the Marvel characters in a small town in the old west. The comic plays around with old ideas, like the crooked mayor and the one-good-sheriff-trying-to-fight-him, but the book is presented in a crisp fashion that will keep the reader engaged. The cliffhanger promises more excitement in the next issue, which is also a big plus. If you like westerns then this is a great book to pick up.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
