Comic Book Review - BRZRKR #3

Rob reviews BRZRKR #3...

So far in the short life of BOOM! Studios' BRZRKR series we've seen the Immortal B murder his way through the present day - and the not so present day. With issue #3 you'd think that Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt's tale would start to "mellow". However, we get treated to yet more bloodshed. 

This may sound overly harsh. Whilst the action is pretty good, it's the effect on telling this story is starting to wear thin. We do get to see some small bits of B's personality as he starts to question his life's purpose, but it's so minuscule that it doesn't offer anything new.

Anyway, moving on...most of BRZRKR #3 is told from the past perspective as we see B and his tribe slaughtering their way through their rivals. B starts to question his existence as his fellow tribesmen call him "Unute" - a dog of war. There's more gratuitous violence as B's Father uses his to decimate the various tribes. Even tribes who don't threaten their village feel B's wrath - which he begins to question.

As the issue goes on we see a somewhat retelling of issue #1 as B's father orders him to leave no survivors. Then we cut to the present as the Doctor and Cauldwell talk about adjusting B's protocols. However, there are hints to a grander mystery as it seems that the Doctor and Cauldwell have a different purpose for B's memories. 

We've seen three issues now of bloody violence with no real context to...well anything. While both Reeve and Kindt are starting to humanise B, it feels a little too late. It was nice to see B question his existence, and the somewhat cold-hearted response from his mother. And his father taking advantage of his power for his selfish gain.

Even if the action is starting to outstay its welcome, it is still constructed incredibly well. Ron Garney draws some really good quality gore and every action scene is filled with a true sense of ferocity. Bill Crabtree also ties into the animalistic-bloodthirsty nature of B with some great uses of red and orange. When the action quietens down Crabtree then switches to a muted blue pallette which distils an almost sense of calm, to then throw in more red and orange. 

I can see where this one is going, and I'm going to take an educated guess as to where BRZRKR is going (and I hope I'm wrong)...so Uncle Sam is invested in the power of B's actual Father - the lightning God thing. The Doctor disagrees and goes rogue taking B with her. Finale? The climactic showdown between father and son, B dies, Doctor is pregnant...queue a sequel. 

BRZRKR #3 is a somewhat okay-ish issue that doesn't do anything in moving the story forward. If you like plenty of action and gore then this issue is a damn straight 10/10. However, there's little to no context to back it all up.

Rating 7/10

Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCultureRev