Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
The Infinity Gauntlet #1
Marvel Comics
Weaver & Duggan
Secret Wars spawns the spin-off title, dusting off an old story called "The Infinity Gauntlet." While the cover boasts Thanos, Star-Lord and others, the contents of the book is something completely different. The comic book establishes a family of characters and begins to set the stage for the chase to obtain the full array of gems. The book is a very good first issue that presents likable characters that seem to be in serious danger. When you aren't sure which character is going to live or die and the drama feels real then you know you are on the right track. I recommend checking this comic out.
The apparent primary protagonist is a young girl named Anwen. She's in an apocalyptic city where it appears giant bugs rule the planet. Somehow her family has also survived, which includes, her grandpa, dad, little brother and family dog. Her mom is missing as she appears to have joined the Nova Corps and headed off planet, never to return. The mystery of whether the mom has survived or not help drives the book.
Gramps and dad argue about the outcome of the missing mom. Is she dead? Did she abandon the family? Is she ever coming back? This banter helps the reader get to know the character's personalities, their interactions and their motivations. They make too much noise and the bugs show up.
The back half of the book is a scatter. It's not too clear which characters ultimately survive, as the chase brings drama and intensity. The comic book has a very nice flow to it as a result.
Artistically, Weaver creates a very beautiful, but different looking comic book. This is not a typical super-hero book. The panels on the pages have unique shapes and the number of panels per page ranges from five to a dozen, seemingly to adjust for the story rather than sticking to a standard format. The pencils have details and allow for uniqueness among the characters and provide clear visuals for the action. The coloring is dark, which helps set the dreary mood. The comic book looks great from front to back.
"The Infinity Gauntlet" is a very good first issue and a great starter issue for a curious fan. The book is free of continuity, knowledge of Secret Wars or of the past stories that deal with the subject matter. The comic introduces a cast of solid characters and then puts them in a situation where they might not all survive. The book has action, drama and mystery. The comic looks great artistically as the book has the feel of a big budget movie. Overall, this was an entertaining read and one that will surely bring the reader back for a second issue.
4 out of 5 Geek Goggles
