I’m feeling very conflicted about the new Killraven series that’s been announced by Marvel As a fan of his original stories in Amazing Adventures, I should be real excited, right? Well, hold the phone. Robert Kirkman is writing it, which is OK, as I like his Walking Dead comic, but it’s being drawn by Rob (Kirby of the 90s) Liefeld… ugh.
The original (1970s) Killraven stories were set 20 years after the Martians conquered the world in 2001. The Martians in this case being the same aliens from H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds returned for a second invasion and this time protected from earth’s germs. It was very wild and wahoo, as Killraven, an ex gladiator, tries to liberate the planet with his band of freemen. It had a very Gamma World-y feel with all manner of strange mutants and post-apocalyptic themes. Earth had become almost Barsoom-like. The series did suffer from a dizzying of array rotating creators before Don McGregor and P. Craig Russell got control of the title. It was cancelled before any kind of resolution, but some plotlines were resolved in a 1983 graphic novel. All these stories have been collected in Essential Killraven if you happen to care.
What hasn’t been depicted was how the Martians were overthrown and the earth liberated. As I said in my post about canceled comics, the Guardians of the Galaxy title was just about to reveal this when it got canceled. The Kirkman and Liefeld version is a whole new reality for the character
Kirkman was aware of the Killraven character before he landed the assignment but didn't know much about his back-story. "I've been reading some stuff to have a passing knowledge of it, but [the new miniseries] establishes a new continuity and new take on the character," Kirkman explained. "So, it's not going to be conflicting with any of the old stuff. I kind of just wanted to move forward with the basic concept of the character without having any kind of extra baggage."From the CBR article here
OK, Killraven hasn’t been a big hit in the word of comics. He’s kinda a niche character that road the wave of post-apocalyptic comics of the 1970s. Plus, there wasn’t a Martian invasion in 2001, So understand why Kirkman would want to start from scratch, but there have already been other revamps of the character: the Alan Davis version and Avengers Forever version. Still, what I really want to see is how the Martians got kicked out in the original continuity but I guess… that boat has sailed for good. So, I’d be willing to shell out a few bucks for a totally revamped Killraven with crazy post-apocalyptic adventures if it weren’t for… Liefeld. Gawd, this guy art sucks. Learn perspective dude. Liefeld must be doing Killraven because Killraven is not a well-known character and so good old Rob is not gonna piss off a lot of people.
I might be desperate for Killraven stories… but I’m not THAT desperate.
-Swinebread
10 comments:
I think you hurt Mr. Liefield's feelings. Don't you think you should offer him a chocolate donut to make him feel better?
Mr. Liefeld has feelings? Wow I thought he didn't have fe-
Oh, wait it's talent he doesn't have.
I was going to point out some of the things wrong with the page, but it's just Liefeld, so why bother.
I wonder if Killraven's mother named him that?
That's a bummer...kinda like the new TV Flash Gordon TV series-a disappointment.
Fortunately, there seems to be enough going on in the Comic world that if this doesn't work, someone later on w/more money & talent will pick up the story where it left off...somebody who "gets it" hopefully.
Snab – screw Mr. Liefeld. He should apologize to us for his crappy art
See this page for how bad it can get. : http://members.aol.com/ddv106/dark/liefeld_cap.gif
Arkonbey – Me too but it’s just so awful what the point. The garbage speaks for itself.
As for Killraven his real name is Jonathan Raven, Killraven is a named he picked up in the gladiator pits.
LB – I’m not holding my breath, snice Killraven’s story is less and less in the furture.
must share more Liefeld Captain America bashing.
I thought so about KillRaven's name. Didn't Penn Gillette name his daughter 'Crimefighter Gillette'?
You only THINK there was no Martian invasion in 2001. Who the hell do you think has been running the country since then? Hmmmm?
arkonbey - man that's suckie... which is worse Cap's Death or Liefeld?
Panda - That explains a lot :) !
I'm not sure which is worse, but here's a thought: Marvel said they're not bringing Cap back to life; they keep resurrecting Liefeld...
Ok, I will rephrase it...
I think you hurt Mr. Liefield's feelings. Don't you think you should offer him a chocolate donut to make him feel better? You know, the kind that is regular size in the first frame, 2 feet wide in the second frame, buried six inches into the wall it is so big in the third frame, and no bigger than a cheerio in the fourth frame. Also, maybe you can have that Captain America dude with Dolly Parton's breast come by to present it to him.
arkonbey - yeas marvel, please stop!
snab - maybe I could do THAT! :)
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