Review: Genecy # 2
"Once again I shall abide ever beyond the skies of planets!"
The 'Ride Divine' continues in the second issue of Genecy by writer Gerald Cooper and artists Eddy Barrows, Carlo Dodson and Sean Hill.
And quite the ride it is... Kaizaxx of the Tanaanians, a race of Viking-like humanoids (think Conan with elf/Vulcan pointed ears) has been chosen by the god-like Rakinrod to be his champion. Bestowing cosmic superpowers upon our unwitting hero, Rakinrod sends Kaizaxx out into the universe on a quest to retrieve three orbs of power. These mysterious globes will complete Rakinrod, freeing him from his palatial tomb. In return, he will free Kaizaxx's race from slavery...
Genecy strides the genres of science fiction, superhero yarn and sword'n'sorcery fantasy, resulting in a turbo-charged tale of epic proportions. Over 36 pages - most of them exploding with dazzling neon-drenched colour- our muscle-bound protagonist, glowing like a supernova, hurtles through space with relentless fervour.
But with great power comes the great ability to royally funk things up and Kaizaxx soon comes to a crisis point. Planet-shattering superpowers are worthless without wisdom, clarity and a sense of purpose.
The story pulls the reader along like a a wretch clinging to a supersonic missile, but it is more than just a high-octane race. We also learn more about the mythic figure Rakinrod and the backstory of Kaizaxx. We see deeper into the motivations of the principal players and the roots of their desperate drives for liberation and retribution.
Barrows delights in portraying the archetypal hyper-hero and his equally formidable opponents in rich, ornate detail. In a coda that details the origin of Kaizaxx (The Trials of Tanaan) Dodson creates a classical world in which, once again, barbaric legend meets high-tech space opera, with exquisite line art and gracefully-crafted action sequences.
The saga promises to deliver more universe-spanning adventures to come for the reader who can keep hold of this hurtling roller coaster. Don't lose your grip!
Genecy #1 & #2 from Indyplanet
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