Comic Book Review - Skip Tracer Volume One: Legion

"Just another day in the Cube"...

Writer James Peaty and artist Paul Marshal’s sci-fi action-adventure series; Skip Tracer has been collected for the first time ever in a digital exclusive graphic novel. Released as part of the 2000 AD exclusive digital collection, Skip Tracer Volume 01: Legion brings together debut tale 'Heavy Is The Head' and the follow up story 'Legion'.

'The Cube, the twenty-seventh century – this vast city floating in the depths of space was once a monitoring station, but has been refitted by the Earth-led Consociation as a solution to a universal housing problem. It’s now home to every kind of undesirable, and an easy refuge for wanted criminals and fugitives. That’s where Skip Tracer Nolan Blake comes in, a former soldier turned tracker-for-hire…'

From the above description, Skip Tracer has all the hallmarks to be an instant hit. It's got an interesting location, a shady government, and a protagonist who's history could lead the narrative into some interesting situations. Yet, when Skip Tracer appears within the serialised Progs the collective fan-base moans and groans - me included. 

Why? Well for me, while James Peaty has done a lot of work with Skip Tracer it doesn't seem to go anywhere. There's never seems to be any consequences to whatever has happened, and much like in our own world - life seems to instantly forgive and forget. Away from this and protagonist; Nolan Blake also isn't a particularly likeable hero. Sure he has a pretty interesting job, and some funky psychic powers - yet he seems to coast from one situation to the next. Every story sees him tackle the latest Consociation plot, to then seemingly forget about it the next. Again - there's never any consequences.

So, did reading this digital collection change my mind? Sadly it didn't, BUT I did find myself enjoy both stories on offer. Like what myself and many others have said before - Skip Tracer plays it safe. However reading this collection of the first two Skip Tracer serials does show the series strengths. It's not about trying new things, or mixing the comic book mold. What Skip Tracer aims to be is an entertaining adventure with some very decent art. But with Colin MacNeil, Paul Marshal, and Dylan Teague then this was always going to be a given. 

For those who have already written this series off Skip Tracer Volume 01: Legion isn't going to change your mind. However re-reading both these stories within their complete format does make for an entertaining read. Both stories on offer within this collection are bursting with sci-fi action as James Peaty introduces us to Nolan Blake. World building also takes president as Peaty builds the strange and wonderful environment of "The Cube" and its inhabitants. To then throw Blake into conspiracies involving a kidnapped princess and then his long lost brother. 

Rating: 7/10

Liked this review and want to support the blog further? You can do so by heading over to Ko-Fi.com/GeekCultureRev. Any donations will be greatly appreciated, but more so is the fact that you took the time to read this review Thank you!

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