Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: Bill Farmer
Release Date: 5th February 2014

JMS returns with Apocalypse Al, a story based around main character Alison Carter, a “Private Investigator, specialising in the end of the world. More specifically, preventing same.” It’s interesting to see JMS writing a noir-comedy, as most of his work is on the serious side. However, this serves as a reminder of something we often tend to forget – JMS IS FUNNY!

The start of Apocalypse Al #1 drops you right into the centre of the action, being introduced to Alison as she is battling with a hundred foot tall creature presenting a “gaping mouth a snarl of razor sharp teeth.” The action flows at a thought-to-thought pace, a technique utilised throughout the entire issue. This pacing results in each page providing the feeling of tjomgs happening in (almost) real time.

Apocalypse Al takes place in Hollywood, giving the issue a glamorous feel with glorious views in the background of each panel. Contrary to this, each character introduced throughout this issue is more ludicrous than the last. Bizarre, but brilliant. The dialogue between Alison and this collection of oddballs is where most of this issue’s comedy is derived from, and features witty banter galore. The only thing I was disappointed in with this issue was a dream sequence that was left to run for much longer than was necessary or, in my case, wanted.

Overall however, this was a great introduction to some brilliant new comic characters; I will be following this title with intrigue. There was even a hint towards a love interest that has yet to be introduced…

Rating: 3/5.

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INTERIOR ARTWORK PREVIEW
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The writer of this piece was: Blair Stevenson
You can also find Blair on Twitter.