Rob reviews BRZRKR #9...
Boom! Studios, Keanu Reeves, and Matt Kindt's brutal tale of the immortal B is heading to its conclusion. Throughout the last nine issues, we've seen B recount his personal history as his current "masters" attempt to unlock the secrets to his creation. It's been a rip-roaring ride of blood and non-stop action, that feels like it's sacrificed any semblance of coherent plot. However, with the final arc now starting, could we see a more human side to the monster?
I'm not going to lie, I came into BRZRKR #9 with a bit of curious anticipation. For the vast majority of issues (for me), the narrative has been more miss than hit. While the action sequences are pretty good the narrative feels like it's on repeat. Yet reading the synopsis to this ninth issue makes out that everything has been leading up to this point, however in reality it's just more of the same.
After his disappearance underneath the Mojave Desert, B is channelling his inner '2001: A Space Odyssey as he seems to be stuck outside of space and time. Meanwhile Diana - who was affected by Caldwell's 'Protocol X' - is hooked up to lab equipment as B's only link back to the present. With plenty of questions that still need answering it feels like B is about to get them as an echo of the father appears. However in good fashion, before the secrets of his purpose are revealed, B is then thrust back into the present time....and boy is he pissed!
What then follows is essentially a re-telling of BRZRKR's opening issue. Now back in the present time, B wastes no time rampaging through the military base. It's incredibly bloody and brutal as the Unute decimated everyone that stands in his way. While the ever-mysterious Caldwell relishes the sight, Diana attempts to reach out to the rampaging beast.
One thing I have noticed with BRZRKR is that Reeves and Kindt like to play their cards close to their chests. This issue also plays out in the same style as it asks questions, but doesn't necessarily answer them. There's no mention as to why B turns on his former 'allies', and we still don't know the full scope of Caldwell's plan - aside from using B to get to his father. There's also now the mystery that surrounds Diana as the former Lab worker seems to now have some powers of her own. It's confusing, but I still hold hope that Reeves and Kindt will manage to tie up the many threads come BRZRKR's impending conclusion.
While the overall narrative is vastly confusing, the pacing within each issue is pretty good. Everything flows very quickly and once the action kicks in, it's all very well choreographed. The quick scene changes do well to heighten the action, as well as slow it down when needs are, and if anything it plays out like a Hollywood blockbuster.
Makes sense? Well, no not really.
The overall stars of BRZRKR are Ron Garney and Bill Crabtree. The artwork has been phenomenal throughout, and whether it's the past, present or somewhere in between, Garney and Crabtree have nailed the look and feel of each period. I've enjoyed the grittier scenes set within the present day as Garney continues to show the viciousness of B in a multitude of environments. Crabtree also fills these close-quarters battles with plenty of blood-red, which also perfectly accentuates B's talents.
Taken at its own merits and BRZRKR #6 is an action-packed attack on the senses. It's filled with plenty of gratuitous violence that shows how much of a threat B can be if he's left unchecked. However, when it comes to the wider narrative, it doesn't show us anything that we don't already know. With time running out on the series, I hope we get a satisfying conclusion.
Rating: 7/10
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