Comic Book Review - The77 #7

Rob reviews The77 Issue 7...

Benksy and his team of misfits are back with their seventh issue of thrill-powered delights. Packed within this issue of 64-pages is a wide range of stories to fit even the fussiest comic readers' appetites. From the hard-hitting sci-fi of 'Division'77' to the comedy of 'SGT Shouty Of The Moonforce', The77 continues to be a real driving force for British independent comics. 

But enough of my butt kissing...let's see what's underneath the cover! 

Disposal (Martin Fisher, Charlie Gillespie, Annie Parkhouse) 

'Disposal' introduces us to a seemingly ordinary bomb disposal team. Set within a future metropolis, our team are sent to disarm an unconventional bomb - complete with an eyeball!. It's here where Fisher introduces us to disposal expert Hammond who seems to have luck on his side. We soon learn that this luck could be something to do with Hammond being a mutant, and it's about to run out! 

While it's all wrapped up in just 5-pages, 'Disposal' leaves you wanting more. Martin Fisher does a superb job in hooking you with his story to then leave you reeling with an almighty cliffhanger. Charlie Gillespie adds to this with some stunning close-up artwork that keeps the action centred around Hammond and his crew. There's also a tremendous use of colours which gives everything a curious mix of hard sci-fi with a dash of mysticism. 

With 'Disposal' concluding in the next issue - I already want a second run! 

Silver Jubilee (Dave Heeley, Andrew Sawyers, Filippo)

Having tracked down her parent's killers, Silver Jubilee is set to get the revenge that she craves. What follows is an action-packed slug-fest as Dave Heeley and Andrew Sawyers give us a taste of Silver in action whilst laying the groundwork for what's to come. The action doesn't let up as bullets and the bad guys start flying. However in fulfilling her thirst for revenge, Silver may have gained the attention of someone a lot worse. 

For those wanting non-stop action, this episode of 'Silver Jubilee' is a blinder. Sawyers manages to keep the action flowing as he leads Silver Jubilee through a very well-choreographed fight sequence. There's plenty of variation in angles and ratios which works well in giving Silver a heroic, yet menacing vibe. Heeley also writes the character well and has given us a strong female lead that's not fallen into the typical comic book heroine cliché. 

SGT. Shouty Of The Moonforce (Lew Stringer) 

Lew Stringer returns with another madcap adventure with everyone's favourite SGT. Shouty. This time around and we're back on the Moon as the Moonforce attempt to use their "Mellow Ray" to calm SGT. Shouty. Of course, it doesn't work and soon Shouty is back to his old self. Meanwhile, another one of the Moonforce's synthetic humans has malfunctioned, and SGT. Shouty is sent out to retrieve it. 

It's another great outing from Stringer as he captures the essence of The Beano and The Dandy, and gives it a grown-up feel. On the surface it doesn't feel that this one is following a central narrative, however, I can't shake the feeling that Stringer is setting something in motion.

V (Steve Bull, Ade Hughes, Darren Stephens, Annie Parkhouse) 

We're back with Anat and the Resistance as they continue their journey through the Sub City. With the group now being held captive by the subterranean city's denizens, it's not looking good. 

If anything this episode is to introduce new antagonist El to proceedings, whilst keeping Anat relatively out of the picture. However even with our protagonist subdued, 'V' still manages to throw its punches. Ade Hughes does a superb job with his page layouts, and that opening shot of the Resistance with the looming image of El hanging over them does send a shiver down your spine.

Marty's Believe it or Not! (Brendon T. Wright) 

We head back to Mars as Brendon Wright brings us a one-off tale from the Colonial Casefiles. We follow young Marcy Turner and Kenny Bacon - two lovers on a date. Things turn sour as Kenny manages to lodge his car into the mouth of a Gator-Hog, and both himself and Marcy realise that they may not like each other after all. 

'Martian Law' has come into its own over its last few outings, and this two-page works wonders in further expanding Wright's Martian Frontier.

Extinction 2040 Episode Three: Leave It All Behind (Paul Good enough, Ian Stopforth, Filippo)

Things start to heat up in 'Extinction 2040' as the group continues they're cross country trek. With one of the characters also holding quite a large secret - is this the calm before the storm? 

I'm not going to lie - I have no idea what's going on in 'Extinction 2040'. However, its post-apocalyptic 'Mad Max' vibe comes across well thanks to Ian Stopforth's art. 

Division77: Terra (Dave Heeley, Hal Laren) 

Dave Heeley swaps heroic military sci-fi action for a dark and gritty horror as Divison77 heads to the planet Talbian. What they find there are bugs...lots of bugs. The mission soon goes bad as the '77 underestimate the residents of the planet - and the planet itself. But can the division's last standing warrior bring the planet to its knees? 

It's another fantastic outing for 'Division77' as Dave Heeley and Hal Laren show the darker side of this universe. Everything works well as Heeley's script ratchets the tension to its final reveal of what decimated the unit. Laren also brings a very different style to this strip too. Not only do we get to see the human side of the division's cyborg soldiers, but the monster is also pure nightmare fodder! 

Galactic Geographic (Noel K Hannan, Warwick Fraser-Coombe) 

Picture the scene. You're sent to a far off world to document its species as part of a new National Geographic style documentary. However when you arrive it's mating season, and you leave with an unexpected "gift". For Galactic Geographic's Ryan Quark this is his current reality. Now pregnant with something not quite human, what next? Naturally, it's to document the birth via a reality T.V. show...

So far, so good for 'Galactic Geographic'. Noel Hannan brings quite an interesting subject which plays upon humanity's inquisitive nature and the mass market for the latest reality craze. Warwick Fraser-Coombe captures the joys (and horrors) of Quark's pregnancy with some clean line-work. 

Black Dog Lane: Track One - Things Goin' On (Bodhi 'n' Mac, Mac) 

Hapless security guard to the stars; Wolf hasn't had an easy ride. Over the space of a year, he's been at the centre of a few mysterious deaths - falling off the stage, overdose, and a plane crash. With no high-profile musicians left to protect, Wolf accepts a job at the mysterious 'Black Dog Labs'. With a fresh start on the cards, things are looking good. So when Wolf gets pulled into a strange portal, this washed-up heavy-metal security guard finds himself a long way from home. 

'Black Dog Lane' gets itself off to a good start. Bodhi and Mac not only set up the ongoing mystery that surrounds the lab but also adds heaps of character to the central hero. With Wolf heading to parts unknown, will we see more 70s pop culture thrown at us? Roll on part 2! 

Jormun (Dave Bedford, Bruno Stahl) 

Legendary Norse Chieftan: Jarl Tanberg is on a mission to slay the legendary sea creature - Jörmungandr. However, his hubris may have angered the Gods and as such the voyage has been plagued with perpetual daylight. With his crew starting to grow restless, Jarl Tanberg is about to face his monster. 

I'm a big fan of Viking and noise mythology, so this new story by Bedford was right up my street. My only question is how Jarl Tanberg is going to fight a sea serpent, whilst on horseback in the middle of the sea? Either way, I'm already looking forward to the following chapter! 

Mister Meeker Monster Maker (Bambos Georgiou, Andy Meanock, Filippo, B.T. Wright) 

Mister Meeker and his assistant Gunther arrive at the mansion of Vladimir Valkarian in the hope of securing the famous Gryphax Grimoire - a book that contains the secret to maintaining artificial life. To get his hands on the book, Mister Meeker has first got to beat Vladimir at a game of chess. But with Vladimir being a renowned occultist - this isn't an ordinary game of chess. Meanwhile, Gunther encounters two of the mansions and other inhabitants, who want him for dinner. 

Sadly I didn't connect with the story, but that's the wonder of an anthology - you're not going to like everything on offer. However, Meanock and Filippo work well together to bring plenty of gorgeous illustrations, and vibrant colours. 

Red By Night Black By Day (Jo Heeley, Rupert Lewis Jones)

We're back in alternative Birmingham as Goblins, Gnomes, and Elves have been enslaved by Georg Ernst Stahl and his fellow Luna Society chums. With Gobber still in the custody of the Luna Society, his mother Olla receives a note to meet someone in the Grand Union Tunnel - but will she find a friend or foe waiting for her? Meanwhile, the Luna Society have crafted a mysterious potion, whilst using poor Gobber in its creation. 

It's another great outing for Jo Heeley and Rupert Lewis Jones. The narrative flows well, with Heeley keeping enough secrets hidden to keep the reader guessing Stahl's plans, whilst revealing that he's a bit of a shit. To be fair when you've use the life force of a bunch of Portal Folk to extend your own - your not one of the good guys! 

Away from this and Lewis Jones brings yet more detailed art. Each character is full of life - aside from Gobber who's currently a shrivelled prune - and the alt feel of Birmingham is very lived-in.

All in all, The77 Issue 7 is a return to form for the independent anthology. Featuring a wide variety of strips, there's something for everyone within its pages. While the publication may have slipped down the rankings within this year's ComicScene Top 10, the anthology remains a great display of independent comic book talent.

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