Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Kong: King of Skull Island #0
Markosia
Satterlee, O'Connor, Johnson
Yes, I am writing a review for an eight page intro issue that has a five page preview of issue #1 for a total of 13 pages - only eight in color - of material. No, I am not bored or something.
I have been waiting for the Kong saga to continue for a while so I am eager to get into this story. Think about the possibilities with this story and timelines. There is just so much material to explore with this tale it isn't even funny.
This #0 issue is a simple beginning. Both, Englehorn and Denham (from the 1933 and 2005 movies) are on a ship returning to the Island that Kong came from to return his body. The story takes place a short time after Kong fell to his death in New York City from atop the Empire State Building. It should be noted that this story takes place after the original movie in 1933.
The ship is attacked by a giant dinosaur bird and Denham is scooped off the boat's deck only to be dumped in the water when a sea creature leaps out of the air and snatches the dinosaur bird. I ain't lying. That is what's in this story. Not bad, eh?
The five page preview of issue #1 zooms ahead some twenty five years to Denham's son is having a meeting with Jack Driscoll (also from the 1933 and 2005 movies). They talk of Carl Denham and of Kong. Denham's son reveals his doubts of the creature's existence and questions where the body went.
This is an important part of the story because this timeline spans the thirties to the fifties meaning there could be some doubt. The fifties were filled with red scare type paranoia. People outside of the actual eyewitnesses would and probably should question a six day rampage of a giant ape that left no real evidence of himself behind. If this all took place today Kong Island natives would have their own website selling tickets to the reality tour of Kong and the death of Kong would be on youtube within two minutes. But in the thirties what would it take to convince the masses it wasn’t some carpet-bagger con-man's trick?
This intro issue is great…..except the price. Seems to me that most preview issues are 25 cents. This one weighs in at $1.99 for exactly eight completed pages of story. Pro-rated a 22 page story would be $5.47. That seems like a lot if you want people to come on board for this bad boy.
Either way though, I'm in. I am a huge fan of King Kong and this story has great potential. If you liked any of the Kong incarnations on film I'd say this is right up your alley.
4 out of 5 geek goggles.
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