posted on June 23rd, 2009 in reviews
Death, Cold As Steel
Written by Bram Meehan
Illustrated by Jamie Chase
Lettering & designs by Monica Meehan
Published by Panel Press
Reviewed by Richard Caldwell
Death, Cold As Steel is the account of the first few weeks for Aubrey Norris with the clandestine government organization known as the Special Qualities Research Lab.
Forming in the later years of WWII, SQRL has placed itself at the forefront of all things paranormal, with a staff of the sharpest scientific minds in the country. Among many other projects, SQRL is creating a team of technologically (and quite possibly mystically) enhanced heroes to serve as living weapons for a new age. In this world, dark and scary things are not confined to the shadows, and the race for global supremacy requires for many strange experimentations and even stranger personalities dealt with.
Someone has murdered America’s strongest meta-human, leaving the giant corpse of the indestructible Steel Soldier lying in an alley. Now Norris must find the hard answers to the mystery, on a case that will put him at odds with the FBI, as well as the rest of SQRL.
Meehan has crafted a chapter in the early days from the Special Qualities Research Lab’s casefiles that offers here a new, pulp-enthused take on a golden dawn of super heroes. In a plot full of backalley beatdowns and car chases, Norris is a tired vet sharp enough to know how to fight in the dark. A hero who can take a punch.
Chase’s greyscaled artwork is something to be praised. The people look as how real people are supposed to look, and in a 1940’s era abundant with manly fedoras and classy dames.
Though I think he perfected his own style with the follow up The Darkness From Warsaw, he is easily a natural storyteller.
Death, Cold As Steel is a solid, solid read.
I am honestly excited by the books coming from Panel Press, and if you like well-written, well-packaged materials without the mindless flash, then you should dig it too.
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