Post by shaxper on Aug 20, 2014 19:08:58 GMT -5
Electric Warrior #3
"Sparking the Leks"
writer: Doug Moench
art/co-plotter: Jim Baike
letters: Annie Halfacree
colors: Tom Ziuko
grade: A-
This was a fun issue in terms of both action and visuals, in which the main focus was on 9-03 brilliantly outsmarting both his new pursuers (The Z-Primes, who are apparently far superior to even the Series 5 Cadre we saw last issue) and their controllers. We also watched the Primmies win their war against the Genetrix without a single death, saw Quintana return to Marder, and learned of some ambiguous astronomical(?) threat facing the city that somehow triggers Marder to reinstitute the failed Synthoid Project, which will require the capture of Primmies.
However, the single most exciting surprise in this issue wasn't in the issue -- it was on the letters page, where Doug coolly and unceremoniously stated in no uncertain terms that 9-03 is not the star of the book.
It makes sense. Let's look at the evidence and then formulate a prediction:
- Derek Two Shadow has been given primary attention since the start.
- Derek is unhappy where he is.
- "Two Shadow" appears to imply that Derek, himself, is a shadow or incomplete person.
- Moench has clearly hinted that Derek will return to the city.
- Derek has made it clear that he will never do this of his own accord.
- the Synthoid Project will require the abduction of Primmies, and their stubbornness and strength makes them ideal for the project.
- Synthoid -- synthetic android, or fake artificial being? Sounds like the Primmies will be turned into Cyborg Leks, stronger because they can think for themselves and have wills.
- 9-03 was developed very quickly and without much thought for developing a rich character.
- The first issue drew a clear intended parallel between Derek and 9-03 that hasn't gone anywhere yet.
Thus my prediction -- 9-03 and Derek will somehow be combined into one Electric Warrior protagonist. As stated in my first review, I think one of Moench's intents behind this series was to create a richer Deathlok series. Perhaps all these stories have just been one elaborate origin tale leading up to the creation of the series' protagonist because, clearly, an Electric Warrior is going to take center stage at some point, and it isn't 9-03.
Also possible -- We know that they last tried the Synthoid experiment on the Zigs and that the experiment cannot be done with binded heads. Perhaps 9-03 is self-aware because he was part of that (presumed) failed program, and what he's carrying around is a piece of Derek (thus Derek's flight from the city and his being an incomplete shadow of a person that casts a shadow -- Two Shadow). It's even possible that the painting he was creating in the first issue that he hid from Brightstar was of 9-03 or the red dreams.
On a side note, I love the idea that in the future, cities are failing experiments. We've always taken as a given that technology and progress improve our lives, as well as that a future advanced civilization, barring some tragic twist of technological innovation that ends up going terribly wrong, would be better off than we are. Looking into a failed future that has only failed because it has continued to operate on the principals we now employ is stunning. I find myself often rooting with Quintana and The Minister, thinking "Stay the course! It can all work out in time!", only to realize we're this far in the future, still saying the same thing and only moving in the wrong direction. This might be the main selling point of the series for me at this point.
Still, the Primmies are too "perfect" thus far. I'm okay with a series ending with the creation of a Utopian society (because then we'd feel we were invested in its creation), but beginning with one feels too much like a lecture. I'm hoping Moench has plans to complicate this idealized vision. Certainly, surrendering the comforts of our lifestyle and the life saving medicines it offers is harder than Derek makes it out to be. I don't think I could stand to watch my 8 month old freeze to death during a particularly cold winter because we can't turn on the heat.
Minor details:
- First nice cover of the series. I really didn't enjoy the others.
- facts we learn about electric warriors:
* They can refuel by eating virtually anything and breaking it down into atoms. A brick in this issue provides 9-03 with six hours of energy.
* They can run for roughly 900 years without maintenance, though maintenance is recommended.
* They share experiences and information via their filial spokes. What one EW sees, all EWs see.
* Since 9-03 "broke away," he can still experience what other EWs experience, but they can no longer share his experiences.
* 9-03 was able to modify his own pulse, making him impossible for other EWs to detect.
* Still unclear as to what the "net" is other than a coordinated kill mode.
- It is once again implied through visuals and dialogue that there are only two levels in this city -- the warrens and the "Techno Sector."
- It is also, once again implied that the Primmies are expatriots from the city who have recreated tribal lifestyles, not original natives.
- A love triangle is clearly developing between Simon Soaring, Amber Brightstar, and Derek Two Shadow, but I must confess that I absolutely do not care. We've never seen Derek and Amber "work" as a couple (beyond the daily sex), so why should we care?
- 9-03 appears to actually be attracted to Kinsolving, even appearing to desire physical intimacy with her, and Moench confirms that he is actually in love with her in the letters column.
- 9-03's self aware dialogue still seems thoroughly unreal. How did he even develop a full human lexicon? Certainly, he wasn't programmed to know how to turn his thoughts into words. Anything he said before was a pre-programmed response.
- Trouble is afoot between Marder and Quintana. Like we don't know she and Derek will end up together (in one way or another, if my prediction holds true).
- Moench attempts to prove that Baikie is a full co-plotter in the letters column and actually ends up proving the opposite, indicating that the entire original premise was his, that he only used ideas from Baikie that didn't contradict his original vision, and that the full extent of those ideas were an EW's ability to recharge itself by eating anything (no big deal) and the Zig head-binding ritual (okay, that was kind of cool). It's been obvious from a number of information sources that Doug is a nice guy who is very obliging to the artists he works with, but there's no doubt from this column that Moench is the sole creator and plotter for the series.
- Moench also indicates that he had some 30 issues planned for the series at the get-go. Yet the series only runs to 18 issues and, from what I understand, achieves a real ending in the final issue. I wonder what changed.
- Moench indicates that the cover to the first issue was considered "controversial" by the DC offices. Perhaps because 9-03 (pictured) isn't the "Electric Warrior"?
- Derek Two Shadow was originally going to be called Eric Red Hand, but the similarly to Arak (sometimes referred to as "Redhand") was too much for DC. Moench explains his various reasons for why Red Hand was a better name, but intentionally omits one for fear of spoiling something. There's that color "red" again. Red dreams, Red Box. Something's going on.
- Several times, Moench's writing in the letter column gives the impression that everyone isn't sold on Jim Baikie and that DC is taking a wait and see approach on his contributions to the series. Moench outright asks what we think of his art, takes a long time explaining how and why he was selected for the series, and then attempts to oversell his creative contributions to the series.
- Next issue will be the first in which Moench scripts more loosely and allows Baikie more creative control over how the issue plays out. It's still not the Marvel style (which Moench began with and clearly hasn't totally forgotten), but it will certainly be sink or swim time for Baikie and his claim for being co-plotter of the series.
"Sparking the Leks"
writer: Doug Moench
art/co-plotter: Jim Baike
letters: Annie Halfacree
colors: Tom Ziuko
grade: A-
This was a fun issue in terms of both action and visuals, in which the main focus was on 9-03 brilliantly outsmarting both his new pursuers (The Z-Primes, who are apparently far superior to even the Series 5 Cadre we saw last issue) and their controllers. We also watched the Primmies win their war against the Genetrix without a single death, saw Quintana return to Marder, and learned of some ambiguous astronomical(?) threat facing the city that somehow triggers Marder to reinstitute the failed Synthoid Project, which will require the capture of Primmies.
However, the single most exciting surprise in this issue wasn't in the issue -- it was on the letters page, where Doug coolly and unceremoniously stated in no uncertain terms that 9-03 is not the star of the book.
It makes sense. Let's look at the evidence and then formulate a prediction:
- Derek Two Shadow has been given primary attention since the start.
- Derek is unhappy where he is.
- "Two Shadow" appears to imply that Derek, himself, is a shadow or incomplete person.
- Moench has clearly hinted that Derek will return to the city.
- Derek has made it clear that he will never do this of his own accord.
- the Synthoid Project will require the abduction of Primmies, and their stubbornness and strength makes them ideal for the project.
- Synthoid -- synthetic android, or fake artificial being? Sounds like the Primmies will be turned into Cyborg Leks, stronger because they can think for themselves and have wills.
- 9-03 was developed very quickly and without much thought for developing a rich character.
- The first issue drew a clear intended parallel between Derek and 9-03 that hasn't gone anywhere yet.
Thus my prediction -- 9-03 and Derek will somehow be combined into one Electric Warrior protagonist. As stated in my first review, I think one of Moench's intents behind this series was to create a richer Deathlok series. Perhaps all these stories have just been one elaborate origin tale leading up to the creation of the series' protagonist because, clearly, an Electric Warrior is going to take center stage at some point, and it isn't 9-03.
Also possible -- We know that they last tried the Synthoid experiment on the Zigs and that the experiment cannot be done with binded heads. Perhaps 9-03 is self-aware because he was part of that (presumed) failed program, and what he's carrying around is a piece of Derek (thus Derek's flight from the city and his being an incomplete shadow of a person that casts a shadow -- Two Shadow). It's even possible that the painting he was creating in the first issue that he hid from Brightstar was of 9-03 or the red dreams.
On a side note, I love the idea that in the future, cities are failing experiments. We've always taken as a given that technology and progress improve our lives, as well as that a future advanced civilization, barring some tragic twist of technological innovation that ends up going terribly wrong, would be better off than we are. Looking into a failed future that has only failed because it has continued to operate on the principals we now employ is stunning. I find myself often rooting with Quintana and The Minister, thinking "Stay the course! It can all work out in time!", only to realize we're this far in the future, still saying the same thing and only moving in the wrong direction. This might be the main selling point of the series for me at this point.
Still, the Primmies are too "perfect" thus far. I'm okay with a series ending with the creation of a Utopian society (because then we'd feel we were invested in its creation), but beginning with one feels too much like a lecture. I'm hoping Moench has plans to complicate this idealized vision. Certainly, surrendering the comforts of our lifestyle and the life saving medicines it offers is harder than Derek makes it out to be. I don't think I could stand to watch my 8 month old freeze to death during a particularly cold winter because we can't turn on the heat.
Minor details:
- First nice cover of the series. I really didn't enjoy the others.
- facts we learn about electric warriors:
* They can refuel by eating virtually anything and breaking it down into atoms. A brick in this issue provides 9-03 with six hours of energy.
* They can run for roughly 900 years without maintenance, though maintenance is recommended.
* They share experiences and information via their filial spokes. What one EW sees, all EWs see.
* Since 9-03 "broke away," he can still experience what other EWs experience, but they can no longer share his experiences.
* 9-03 was able to modify his own pulse, making him impossible for other EWs to detect.
* Still unclear as to what the "net" is other than a coordinated kill mode.
- It is once again implied through visuals and dialogue that there are only two levels in this city -- the warrens and the "Techno Sector."
- It is also, once again implied that the Primmies are expatriots from the city who have recreated tribal lifestyles, not original natives.
- A love triangle is clearly developing between Simon Soaring, Amber Brightstar, and Derek Two Shadow, but I must confess that I absolutely do not care. We've never seen Derek and Amber "work" as a couple (beyond the daily sex), so why should we care?
- 9-03 appears to actually be attracted to Kinsolving, even appearing to desire physical intimacy with her, and Moench confirms that he is actually in love with her in the letters column.
- 9-03's self aware dialogue still seems thoroughly unreal. How did he even develop a full human lexicon? Certainly, he wasn't programmed to know how to turn his thoughts into words. Anything he said before was a pre-programmed response.
- Trouble is afoot between Marder and Quintana. Like we don't know she and Derek will end up together (in one way or another, if my prediction holds true).
- Moench attempts to prove that Baikie is a full co-plotter in the letters column and actually ends up proving the opposite, indicating that the entire original premise was his, that he only used ideas from Baikie that didn't contradict his original vision, and that the full extent of those ideas were an EW's ability to recharge itself by eating anything (no big deal) and the Zig head-binding ritual (okay, that was kind of cool). It's been obvious from a number of information sources that Doug is a nice guy who is very obliging to the artists he works with, but there's no doubt from this column that Moench is the sole creator and plotter for the series.
- Moench also indicates that he had some 30 issues planned for the series at the get-go. Yet the series only runs to 18 issues and, from what I understand, achieves a real ending in the final issue. I wonder what changed.
- Moench indicates that the cover to the first issue was considered "controversial" by the DC offices. Perhaps because 9-03 (pictured) isn't the "Electric Warrior"?
- Derek Two Shadow was originally going to be called Eric Red Hand, but the similarly to Arak (sometimes referred to as "Redhand") was too much for DC. Moench explains his various reasons for why Red Hand was a better name, but intentionally omits one for fear of spoiling something. There's that color "red" again. Red dreams, Red Box. Something's going on.
- Several times, Moench's writing in the letter column gives the impression that everyone isn't sold on Jim Baikie and that DC is taking a wait and see approach on his contributions to the series. Moench outright asks what we think of his art, takes a long time explaining how and why he was selected for the series, and then attempts to oversell his creative contributions to the series.
- Next issue will be the first in which Moench scripts more loosely and allows Baikie more creative control over how the issue plays out. It's still not the Marvel style (which Moench began with and clearly hasn't totally forgotten), but it will certainly be sink or swim time for Baikie and his claim for being co-plotter of the series.
