RoboWolf #1 is one of those comics you have to simply read to believe. To describe it is easier said than done, but if I had to describe this comic, I’d say it’s what happens when you take all the over the top action films from the ’80s, the go-for-broke spirit of ’90s indie comics, and every video game that ever populated an arcade, and slammed it all together. And even then, I’d only be scratching the surface.
The best example of what writer/artist/creator Jake Smith is going for with RoboWolf #1 lies with the titular character. RoboWolf more than lives up to his name, as he’s not only a massive anthropormorphic wolf but also possesses a robotic arm. The crew of thieves he’s running with is just as dynamic: RoboWolf’s self proclaimed “best chum” Lance has a bleeding skull for a head (and strangely enough, a British accent), getaway driver Zuki will never pass up a chance for violence, and they’ve managed to get a hacker named Vinny Coulson Ryder on their side. That’s right – there’s a character named “VCR”.
If that wasn’t too over the top, Smith seems to be challenging himself to pack each page with as much gonzo imagery as he can. The best example features RoboWolf’s first appearance, which has him kicking open the back of his crew’s truck and unloading twin Uzis at the police, bullets and dollars flying everywhere. It’s the kind of image that immediately says everything you need to know about the comic, topped only by a cast of outlandish characters that includes a two-headed arms dealer and a man with chainsaws for arms.
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Matching the insanity of Smith’s art is the rapid-fire dialogue he gives his characters; it’s often foul-mouthed, full of double entendres, and of course cheesy one liners like “Eat lead!” or “No brainer!” when RoboWolf bodyslams a man so hard that his brain literally flies out of the top of his head. This is the part of RoboWolf #1 that tends to be hit and miss – some of the lines, like the “No brainer” one, made me genuinely laugh. Others, like a joke about “laying pipe”, land with a thud.
The most surprising part of RoboWolf #1 is that RoboWolf has a personal reason for his robberies. It turns out that his daughter Lindsey was kidnapped by his former ally, General Masakov – better known as “General Massacre” to his enemies. While the idea of a character going through hell to saved their loved ones from death is a well worn trope, Smith still manages to infuse the narrative with a hefty dose of heart, thanks to some well-placed flashback sequences. The reader gets to see him and Lindsey bond, which is utterly adorable, and show that there’s more to RoboWolf than quips and ultraviolence. It’s an element that Smith should continue to utilize through the rest of the series.
RoboWolf #1 is a glorious mix of ’80s action tropes, ’90s ultraviolence, and a surprising dash of heart – resulting in a comic that doesn’t look or read like anything else on the stands. It’s a solid debut, and I cant wait to see more of this character in action.
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