The Good
We've all seen RoboCop demolish criminals with his iconic pistol (he did a damn good job doing that in the first issue), but what'll happen now that he's been stripped of his sidearm? Can he still be a symbol of the law and stop criminals if he doesn't have his signature pistol? Does he need the bullets to tackle the evergrowing danger that lurks in Detroit? Writer Joshua Williamson shows us that RoboCop can still be a jaw-droppingly badass enforcer of the law, even without a firearm.
As you saw in the last issue, Killian's plan goes way beyond giving his goons guns; he's giving them Enforcement Droids. Does RoboCop once again best the robotic challenger by taking a stroll down a flight of stairs? No, Williamson scripts a short yet awesome sequence which reminds us RoboCop isn't a character anyone should take lightly. The dude may look rigid and clunky, but this sequence shows the guy can be plenty swift and nimble when he needs to be. He may only have a baton, but he's still astonishing in action and they really sell his actions.
RoboCop lives in a corrupt and ugly place. We've seen hints of that here and there, but this latest chapter really drives that point home. Criminals can slaughter anything in their way with ease and go virtually unopposed as they move from robbery to robbery. The police are outclassed and this goes beyond some characters simply being evil. Everything's connected and, in this entire city, there's only a select few you want to root for. Having these few stand up when the system is 100% against them makes it more encouraging and gripping when they take action or unveil a new plan. RoboCop is out in the streets, taking the threats head-on, but there's a new plan being worked on and it's one that definitely has my interest.
Carlos Magno's grittier style continues to be a very fitting match for RoboCop's dirty world. Not only does the character work and detail given to the atmosphere just feel right, but there's several panels that I really loved. There's a great angle of RoboCop after the first big fight and it's such a satisfying moment. And the one before he leaps into the next fight? Priceless. It almost looks like he has a smile on his face and is ready for more.
The Bad
RoboCop's city isn't the most aesthetically pleasing place around. It's a rundown, dishonest, and violent environment. However, some of the colors applied to the backgrounds appear to be too faded, almost giving the impression the characters in the foreground are standing in front of a very old mural. It's a little distracting at times, especially when vivid colors are regularly used for effects.
The Verdict
If you felt like the new RoboCop movie was watered down or you just want to return to the original movie's universe, you need to be reading this book. Everything I loved about the original movie is here. It takes a good look at corruption and how few dare to stand against it, RoboCop's an awesome lead, and it feels every bit as over-the-top and brutal as the first movie. It's simple: If you like Paul Verhoeven's movie, you're going to be very, very happy with BOOM! Studios' series.