Science Dog Special #1

 

 Writer: Robert Kirkman
 Penciler and inker: Cory Walker
 Colour: FCO Plascencia, Kanila Tripp, Dave Stewart (cover)
 Letters: Rus Wooton
 Editor: Sina Grace
 
     Now some of those out there who like put themselves through hell and back to get through my reviews may notice i like to go into the unknown, but today im doing something i wanted to do for about a week now. Robert kirkman is a good boy yes he is... whose a good boy. Which i know what your thinking "Troy you Orange lantern carrying pillock, you must be being payed by kirkman to show off this and make references to walking dead series." to which i lock my safe to say I actually came across this while shopping before the big fan expo. and i wanted to try something new, nor do i have interest in money..maybe..okay i do. but lets get to this. 
 

The Story

 

       Those of you who are not familiar with this character, he first appeared in the comics of Invincible also a robert kirkman book. I was little apprehensive at first when picking up this book. but when you just win $5 on who played the owner of Sea world in Jaw 3, then you get into the trying the risk. and i have to say i was surprised on how well done this was. 
 
       This is a first issue story so much like one would expect we get a basic background into the characters history. for those who know the character this comic is well enough on its own the carry into a comic series. but i was a little put off in the origin that a regular dog can evolve into what is now Science dog. or Science for short. it would be like me throwing my morning peanut butter toast and having it evolve into dessert. highly unlikely but hey its comics. 
 
      Kirkman said that his was his baby and been working on this since 2000 wizard world in Chicago. I an tell he put in alot of work into this book. he wanted to flesh out the characters and make them real. much of this comic is character driven which is great because we have not had a very well done character series. while I found that the events in the story were just neat little quips or just there to add to how the character acts. 
 

     The main villain or i would take it that would become a reoccurring villain just seemed so strange that he became a villain cause what else are you going to do when you have super powers. Yeah i mean he is arrogant and a jack ass but so is tony stark, but he does not want to be a villain cause he has nothing else to do with his suit. that being said the minor drawback to the series is the characters original motivations on why they do what they do being hero or villain. But its gotten to the point where they are used to doing battle that the main villains motivation now is to destroy science dog. 
 
    So all in all i give the story a 3.8 out of 5. i mean like there were a few problems with just why they got into being what they are. to me it sounds quick and done so he can move on with the comic for this which is fine. but for future i hope robert takes more time to work on motivation.
 

The Pretty Colours

 
     Cory Walker at the main helm for the art in this story. he dominates much of this and rather go for the "tri-fecta", he hands over colors to Plascencia,Tripp and Stewart. Im always a fan of artists who try to take almost creative art control of books, so which is why i give partial props to Cory walker in this book.

     The art for who have read Invincible series its pretty much the same. for those who have not. the art in these stories. are not heavily detailed, but its quick and too the point. it gives enough for emotions, actions and dialogue. I don't think there is a moment where you are wondering whats happening when it comes to the art. Walker does a good job and keeps well with the universe in which they set these stories. love continuity.
 

    Colors.. holy crap bright. its like im watching Japanese Saturday cartoons. the only thing dark is the inking done by walker. but that just goes with the style in which it was drawn. i mean im all for bright colors for laser beams or sun. but were talking about people, places and objects. if you spent quite a few years reading daredevil and batman. you get used to the dark colors. you build up a sort of night vision. but soon as i opened this it was like walking out into daylight after playing 15 hours of world of warcraft.
 
  overall the art gets a 4 out 5. Bright colors really threw me off in this story. yeah art is not heavily detailed but it gets bonus points for keeping in the art continuity of Invincible. so i like the art and i love the character designs. just have some problems with having disco lights shined in my eyes.
 

Overall Thoughts

 
    The story is good, but the characters really help make this great. the dialogue and character interaction makes me feel like im used to this when characters go at it. their is no awkward introductions except when you monologue your origin story in the middle of battle. Easy story to get into and no need go back into the invincible comics to read about the character. very user friendly.
 
     The art is good as well. if you don't mind damaged cornea's from bright colors than you should be good with this. art fans of invincible will not have a problem with this, if anything the art will make them feel like its just another story from those comics. outside my own personal complaint about bright colors. the characters and art are great and easy to follow.
 
     Overall i give the book a 4 out of 5. its a great first issue that gets the back story out of the way and into the action. there is great dialogue and interesting characters that make this story great. the art also helps and makes for good action. this is robert kirkmans baby but i doubt we will see an HBO show of this anytime soon. if your a fan of the invincible series then its worth a pick up. if your looking for something different its a bit of a risk. but its definitely worth a quick read over before buying. and i think ill be happy to add this to my image stack. 
 
     Ill be back later this week as i still owe you guys another review after skipping out on last week. so ill get to that. so if you like the reviews your welcome to follow me on comicvine, if your feeling sassy with comments slap them down below. if not feeling about talking then hit the recommend button up or down. (thats what she said)