I was incredibly excited for issue number 1, which was a bit of a let down. Then issue 2 and 3 came along and they weren't much better. I always felt like the plot was moving along way too slowly, until the "
Savage World of Sakaar" one-shot came along. If you've read my review, you'd know that I felt that it should have been issue number 4. It really gave the series a push and I was anticipating issue number 4.
So here we are. As has been the norm with this title, there are 2 stories that run parallel. This might explain why I felt that the plot moved too slowly, cause we have only been treated to half a book of continuity and the other half had back story involving other characters (usually from the Axeman Bone's camp).
This issue was great. We get to see Skaar really developing as a character. You can tell that Greg Pak has been taking his time with this one. I think Skaar is his "baby" and he's trying to really establish him as a viable character in the Marvel Universe. We are at issue 4 and I honestly feel that there are very little similarities between him and his father, Hulk. This is what I was hoping for. He has his father's genes, but also his mother's and just like any son that would grow up without his father, Skaar is a totally different ball of wax.
Skaar, Old Sam, Princess Omaka and the rest of the refugees keep on their path to Prophet Rock so that Skaar may acquire the power of Prophet Rock. His birthright from his mother, Caira the Oldstrong. Whether or not Skaar is “the chosen one” that the Prophets speak about still remains to be seen. In this issue we see that what has been prophesized isn’t exactly what Skaar has been delivering. Could the Chosen one be someone else?
Ron Garney’s art has been improving and I really dug his work in this issue. The action sequences are well handled and you can tell that Garney is starting to have fun with the fantasy aspect of the inhabitants of Sakaar.
You really get the feeling that Greg Pak’s story is building up to something here, even if we’re not sure exactly what that is. We still get that sense that anything can happen and it’s really hard to predict where he is going with Skaar and the rest of the established characters. I’m really digging that. This is all new territory that is not held back by previous continuity or the Marvel Universe in general.
I know that not a lot of people have been liking this title, but I feel that Marvel needed something likes this. An elseworld title that runs alongside main continuity. It’s a different kind of world and the whole Barbarian/Fantasy thing is really good material to explore.
I’m giving this one 3 out of 5 stars because I think there is still a lot of improvements to be made. I still think that this book needs cleaner inking of Garney’s work. I still think that the story should develop a bit more within one issue. Hopefully they will can the twin story format soon and give us a whole issue devoted to the main story. That’s not to say that the other story doesn’t serve a purpose, it does.. I’m just looking forward to the day it has outlived its usefulness.
So if you like this kind of Fantasy story stuff with Barbarians and Great Beasts and prophets and slaves and such.. then you should really consider picking this title up. But I can see how it’s not for everyone.
Bottom Line: I dig it. Give me more Skaar. Give me more Sakaar.