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Fighting American #3 Review

Comic Books

Fighting American #3 Review

Time to dodge some bazookas!

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Fighting American, one of the best Jack Kirby tributes if I’ve ever seen one, is back this week. This comic is clever in how it plays with the 1950s tropes of comics, mixing them with the more provocative 2017 mentality. The plot thickens this week as the villains’ plans come together, but is it good?

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So what’s it about?

The official summary reads:

Our heroes find themselves trapped in the modern world with new villains to contend with and enemies from their past pursuing them! Direct continuation of Simon and Kirby’s classic 1950s series.

Why does this matter?

Not only does it play with tropes of different eras, it also utilizes a character similar to Captain America but even more of a boy scout so that his view of our society today is even more prominent. This allows writer Gordon Rennie the chance to play around with expectations in his social commentary.

Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?

Fighting American #3 Review
You don’t want to see him angry.

Chaos Lad’s plan is fully realized in this issue, which helps kick up the pace and expectations of the plot. It’s also revealed how this character has changed over the decades in a fun montage realized very well by artist Duke Mighten. With the plan set up the issue also contains a conclusion of sorts as Fighting American takes out some baddies and shows the world what a real hero looks like. Amongst these events, there’s also some fun commentary on the revealing cleavage of waitresses in 2017 and how Fighting American’s sidekick marvels at it. You have to imagine today’s time would be a lot for a kid of his age and era to take in and the creative team exploits that well.

The art by Mighten and PC De La Fuente (who draws the last six pages) is solid and evokes the Jack Kirby style well. In a funny scene, Mighten sells a boob joke that works well and is done in a cinematic way that should garner some laughs. There’s also an epic panel of Fighting American deflecting some rockets that’s poster worthy (love how his shows are outlined by white as they splash into a panel below). The action is easy to follow and plays up the gung-ho positivity of the Golden Age hero.

Fighting American #3 Review
What a perv.

It can’t be perfect can it?

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I’m a bit perplexed as to how the villains’ plan was ever going to work. I suspect there’s more to be revealed, but from what we have to go on there isn’t much to it. We see it in action here, which is a relief as we haven’t had much to go on so far, but at face value it seems like a dumb plan. A plan that doesn’t have really anywhere to go. Unless of course the plan was to kill Fighting American with the understanding that 2017 Americans aren’t worth saving!

Is It Good?

I soured a bit after the second issue, but I’m back to all-in on this fun Golden Age meets modern age adventure. The writing is funny and reflective of society and the art brings a Jack Kirby appeal that’s hard to resist.

Fighting American #3 Review
Fighting American #3
Is it good?
A strong issue, but the lack of detail on the villain's plan continues to sour the plot.
Strong Kirby look to the action and art as a whole
Good commentary on society
Fun to see the time travel sequences
Without a clear understanding of what the villain is up to the danger/stakes are low
9
Great

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