If you ask me, Foolkiller might be the last character I’d have bet on Marvel giving their own title; then again, his recent ties to Deadpool make it seem like a no-brainer too. Writer Max Bemis is blowing some life into the character this week, but is it good?
Foolkiller #1 (Marvel Comics)
So what’s it about? For the full Marvel summary just read this.
Why does this book matter?
I’m all for villains getting their own books because it gives the creators a chance to let the reader see the other side of the spectrum. There are quite a few villains in comics who have never been fleshed out either and Foolkiller is one of them, more or less. He recently joined Deadpool’s Mercs for Money so it seems like no better time to see what the deal is with this character…right?!
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Take it easy on him dude he’s nuts.
Bemis blew me away in this issue with great pacing, fantastic captions, and a keen handle on the character of Foolkiller. I went in not knowing what to expect and Bemis not only drew me in, but was good for a few surprises too — not least of which being what Foolkiller is up to these days; he’s a psychologist for SHIELD (how he got the gig after his history is anybody’s guess), but his employers and his practice aren’t what they seem. Over the course of the issue we’re introduced to his new outlook on life, two solid full page origins, and a complex lead character.
Bemis does a good job weaving in clever elements, like in one scene where Foolkiller is using cosmic cubes to focus his patient or why he wears “Weezer” glasses, which keeps the reality of the story at the forefront. The nature of the character’s past is explained well and the depression he goes through reads in a genuine way too.
The pencils by Dalibor Talajic (with inks by Jose Marzan Jr. and colors by Miroslav Mrva) add colorful pop and thicker linework that gives even the mundane settings flair. In one short three panel sequence for instance, the villain’s face lights up perfectly in the first, his rage very apparent in the second, but then his calm demeanor even more unnerving than the previous two panels combined. Altogether the creative team adds a bit of life and gusto to every scene and artists like Mike Allred and Francesco Francavilla come to mind when reading this.
It can’t be perfect can it?
The only element that caught me was how in the world a character like Foolkiller could be a therapist though it does make some sense if you understand the villain in play. The final page also seems to be in direction violation of a key flashback of self-discovery for the character, though we’ll see where Bemis is going from here to find out if that’s true.
A valuable flashback to fill eveyrone in.
Is It Good?
Believe this: You will read this and only want more Foolkiller in your life. The character is well written and the story is interesting and well-paced.
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