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RUIN #1-3
Posted 06 Feb 2008
Writer: Tom Pinchuk
Artist: Mike Gallagher
Publisher: Alterna Comics
4.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by Matt Rawson
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Some may have a knee-jerk reaction to the genre in which Ruin finds itself firmly planted,
but not just the umbrella genre of science fiction, but the sub-genre
of post-apocalyptic science fiction, and the sub-sub-genre of
action/adventure post-apocalyptic science fiction. The list could
probably go on, but I see Ruin
in another category altogether: that of the cautionary tale.
“Ruin would be nothing but a
forgettable gory romp if not for the fabular undertones.”
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The predominant rumination that preoccupies the majority of this
three-issue miniseries is that of power going unchecked and what would
happen after there is nothing left to satisfy the massive appetite for
said power. Writer Tom Pinchuk doesn’t offer us any kind of
answer, as there truly is none, but instead takes us on a journey
through the end-cycle like an oncogene fed the right circumstances to
become cancerous. What is there to save on a desolate planet? Maybe
everything, maybe nothing, but the will to try is still present even
in the most dire of circumstances.
Ruin, presented straight,
sans philosophical dust-sweeping, would appear violent, melodramatic,
and quite frankly, juvenile. The protagonist Black Zero, while suited
up appears the doppelganger of the manga character Guyver, and the
emotional outpouring of tragic realizations versus the stolid resolve
of what needs to be accomplished among the destitute human dregs could
easily be taken for the seesawing of a world stricken with bipolar
disorder.
Allow me to restate the preface to these criticisms, however: Ruin would be nothing but a
forgettable gory romp if not for the fabular undertones. With this
extra layer (placed therein quite conscientiously, I feel),
the story takes on much more weight, especially in a time when greed,
war, and economic irresponsibility are undermining the state of many a
nation.
The ubiquitous shadow of tyranny, herein given form as warlord
Carnus, has been homogeneous with the epic villain since the dawn of
fantastic storytelling itself, but that only goes to show that it is
still very much relevant. Another theme that arises is that of
humanities relationship and reliance on technology. Black Zero could
be an amalgamation of all the gadgets and doohickies we as a species
count on, day in and day out, to save us from our inevitable end only
to have them perform in very unsuspecting ways, for good or ill. Then
again, he could just be a cool cyborg killing machine, but I have a
shovel and I like to dig.
Mike Gallagher’s artwork grew on me quick and brought up
flashes of Frank Miller one moment, Vaughn Bode the next, smatterings
of Heavy Metal throughout the
years and in between it all something completely original. The
storytelling is clear and unhindered by convoluted panels and useless
detail. His stark, gritty imagery plays well with the post-apocalyptic
subject matter, much in the same way Christopher Mitten’s vision of
desolation makes Wasteland
from Oni such a great book. That is not to say there isn’t room
for improvement for Mr. Gallagher. Whereas certain panels are
beautiful and fully realized, others remain not much more than
sketches. The usage of tone is wonderful across the whole enterprise,
however, and really gave depth where the draftsmanship may not have
been as strong as in other sections of the book. Regardless, I think
Mike Gallagher is going places if he keeps his pen hot.
Whether you are into the sociopolitical wonderings, the
chaff-strewn post-apocalyptic settings, or just like to watch a robot
kill lots of people (and, frankly, who doesn’t?) then I say get
out there and support this band of creators that are making comics for
the pure love of doing it. Bottom line, the competent writing of Tom
Pinchuk, and the solid visuals of Mike Gallagher (not to mention the
neat, professional lettering of Phaedra Gallagher) make Ruin a book that you should take a
look at. And here’s where you can learn more about doing just
that: Alterna
Comics.Com
—CCdC—
Cover image supplied by publisher.
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