The power of METAL compels you… and it’s the only way to save the world! Your Major Spoilers review of Murder Falcon #6 awaits!
MURDER FALCON #6
Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Editor: Sean Mackiewicz
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: March 13, 2019
Previously in Murder Falcon: For those about to shred, we salute you! Magnum Khaos is one step closer to enslaving our planet, and the only hope for Brooticus lies within the newest member of the band!
WHAT A *GREAT* TITLE!
I’m really surprised that I haven’t been following this book since issue one, based on that title alone. After making a shocking entrance at the end of last issue, the newcomer (whose giant busted through the wall with his massive fist) introduces himself as Hjelmdar, last survivor of a Swedish metal band called Whisperwind, who wants to join Brooticus. Stunned to find out that others have powers like them, Jake and the band accept him into their ranks and set off for Japan. During the long journey, Hjelmdar has a conflict with Jake’s wife, Anne, but when the entire band is waylaid by Magnus Khaos at the legendary Horn of the Dead, he manages to save her life. Anne explains that she truly does know how he feels about losing his bandmates, explaining Jake’s long battle with cancer, and with Hjelmdar’s help, she harnesses her voice to free Brooticus from Khaos’ clutches. As the issue ends, the Swede and his giant seemingly sacrifice themselves to keep Brooticus safe, while a new musician appears: Shohei Takahashi, of the Tokyo Philharmonic.
YOU CAN’T KILL THE METAL
The sheer joy and abandon in this issue was a lot of fun for me. The art is evocative of Oeming’s work on ‘Powers’ or a nice Mignola ‘Hellboy’ issue, but with its own flair. The clear attention to (and love of) rock music comes through in the black metal facepaint and outfit of Hjelmdar, the group’s big musical moments and Anne’s climactic world-saving scream. Having not read the first issues, I was impressed at how easily I was able to grasp the basics of this world and the “rules” of heavy metal magic. Artistically, it’s a really good looking issue and the wild creature designs (including Murf the cyborg chicken-man roadie) make for exciting moments throughout the issue. Even the difficult problem of how to convey music in a silent medium is overcome by sheer force of story and personality, and the final page reveal makes me think we’re getting a cool “gather the various sounds from around the world and channel them all to stop evil” plot, which I’m looking forward to.
BOTTOM LINE: GOING BACK TO GET THE FIRST FIVE ISSUES NOW
The first thing I though when I read Murder Falcon #6 was how much I missed ‘Metalocalypse’, and since I loved that show, that’s high praise; thanks to energetic art and writing, this issue earns a well-deserved 4 out of 5 stars overall. The flying drum platform alone should be worth a look, but the sheer momentum of the story and the enthusiasm of this creative team make for a book worth multiple reads.
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MURDER FALCON #6
Emotionally engaging, yet still METAAAALLL!, this issue has convinced me to go and purchase the previous five. What better argument for a book can there be?
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Writing8
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Art8
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Coloring7
