A few weeks ago I did a review of Dark Horse Comic’s new Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom comic. I told everyone then that one of the reasons I was reviewing that particular comic book was because I had been such a big fan of the old Valiant comics. Well, here we are a couple of weeks later and naturally I’m doing a review of the new Magnus Robot Fighter series. This series, just like the Doctor Solar series, is being written by the legendary Jim Shooter but with a different art team.
While, the review I gave Doctor Solar, Man of the Atom #1 was generally positive it was not glowing. My review of Magnus Robot Fighter #1 is also generally positive and maybe just a little glowing. Yes, I did like Magnus #1 more then Doctor Solar #1 for several reasons. The first reason is the art; while the artwork on Doctor Solar #1 was acceptable the artwork on Magnus #1 was a step up. Bill Reinhold’s work was a cut above what we saw in Doctor Solar #1 but it still was not as spectacular as it should have been for such an important issue. The biggest difference however I think lies with the characters themselves. At the outset of their respective stories Magnus is just the much more compelling of the two characters. I mean, in the beginning, Dr. Solar has to come to grips with what has happened to him and his newfound powers but already he seems nearly godlike. It is much more complicated for Magnus. He is far more vulnerable then Dr. Solar which is pointed out by Magnus’ robot mentor 1A, when he tells him, “What have we learned here? Two or three thug robs okay ten a problem.” This vulnerability makes the dangers Magnus faces seem much more real. Magnus’ mission is also about more then himself he is out to save all of humanity from the dangers poised by evil robots.
I want to take a minute and compliment Jim Shooter on his decision to make Magnus just twenty-one years old this gives the character brashness and recklessness that can be used to great effect. Overall, Magnus #1 was just a more satisfying read and by the end of the issue I was already looking forward to the next installment of the series. One last word, I may have liked Magnus #1 more then Doctor Solar #1 but I still think they are both worth reading. Jim Shooter and Dark Horse are off to a good start as far as I’m concerned.
Keith Forney