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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
H G Wells in comic form, 19 May 2006
This is a rather unusual addition to Marvel's 'Essential' series, as Killraven/War of the Worlds was something of a commercial failure in its day (the mid 70s) and, consequently, the entire run fits into one volume. The advantage of this is that, unlike many comics, there is a fairly satisfying conclusion here, rather than the usual succession of 'to be continued' cliffhangers.
The basic premise of the series is that, in 2001, the Martians of Wells' classic novel return to Earth, having successfully immunised themselves against the commonplace diseases that finished them off the first time. With this obstacle removed, Earth is rapidly defeated and humans are either enslaved, eaten (really) or become outlaws. The comics focus, unsurprisingly, on a group of the latter, led by a charismatic guerilla leader called Killraven. The series starts out very well, the first chapter being written by Roy Thomas and drawn by the brilliant Neal Adams. Unfortunately, their tenure lasts for a handful of pages and the usual Marvel trick of handing a title over to a succession of writers (Gerry Conway, Marv Wolfman) and artists (Howard Chaykin, Herb Trimpe) makes for a messy and unsatisfying continuity
For me, the series doesn't really gel until we have writer Don McGregor and artist Craig Russell as a regular team. McGregor is a writer with rather a penchant for purple prose, but he comes up with some genuinely affecting and original stories. They are particularly good when he chooses to ignore the conflict between Killraven and the Martians, instead concentrating on the internal coflicts within his group of 'freemen' (which includes, in a rather overtly politically correct manner: a woman, an African American, a native American and a chap with learning difficulties). Russell was a wonderful artist on many of these stories, particularly when drawing natural forms in forests, swamps and desert, he also makes Killraven himself quite beautiful, in a homoerotic sort of way.
Highlights would be 'Only the Computer shows me any respect' in which the freemen enter a fantasy-fulfilling virtual reality machine and the desires of each member of the cast is dissected in turn. Also, 'the 24 hour man' where a mutated creature fathers short-lived hybrids on human women, each life filled with 24 hours of mayfly-like intensity, until the freemen inadvertantly make them extinct. Finally, 'The morning after mourning prey' a rather surreal journey by Killraven through the Louisiana swamps in search of a strange butterfly/woman creature who he intends to kill, but, in the end he learns to simply let be. This was actually the last issue of the comic.
Loose ends were wrapped up in a graphic novel, also by McGregor and Russell, very badly reprinted here (the original colour artwork turns into various muddy grey tones). McGregor's writing looks rather dated, but Russell's artwork still shines, this was some of his earliest work and the germ of his exceptional talent is evident. He later went on (recast as P. Craig Russell) to illustrate Roy Thomas' Elric comics and also adapted many stories by Rudyard Kipling and Oscar Wilde into comics with exquisite and effortless skill. His work can also be seen in Sandman, occasionally.
This collection is very much a typical 70s product, flawed, but with a genuine striving towards some social relevance and originality in storytelling. Worth the entry price if only to gaze in wonder at the nascent Russell.
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by Alan Moore
by Gerry Conway
by Roy Thomas
by Jack Kirby
by Neil, Jr Romita
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