BRZRKR #4
Diana learns more about B’s past and comes to a decision in BRZRKR #4, by writers Matt Kindt and Keanu Reeves, artist Ron Garney, colorist Bill Crabtree, and letterer Clem Robins. This is another action-packed issue of the book, but it also adds a little wrinkle to the story that will almost certainly play into the future.
This issue continues the origin flashback of the last few issues, with Diana playing back what B told her- his mother went back to the cave and prayed. She was given something that would change him back to normal, his father’s reaction to that, and an attack that would cost his mother her life and change his world forever. He learned he couldn’t die and made a decision, walking away. In the present, Diana visits B at his home calls him by his real name- Unute- and promises to tell him everything.
BRZRKR’s writers have done an interesting thing with this book so far. These first four issues have established who B is and where he came from, but Kindt and Reeves have done it in the smartest possible way. Origin stories can get pretty dry, but this one is expertly done- it’s action-packed, with just the right amount of pathos. It’s been bloody and fun and sad because it all led to this- his father pushing him, gaining more power, and costing them everything. B’s resignation as he’s torn to shreds is the icing on the cake- even then, he was a miserable man who felt like his life was only for one purpose- killing. He wanted to die, and he couldn’t. It’s a sad moment, played perfectly.
Of course, Kindt is a pro when it comes to comics, and Reeves has been around stories most of his life; both of them know how to play out the surprises and keep just enough back. This issue introduces an object that can make B normal again, but it’s been lost for seventy-six thousand years. It will almost certainly play into things later, as will its origin and the origin of his powers. Kindt and Reeves have played this origin story wonderfully, and while it was sometimes a bit over the top with the violence, it worked very well. This opening stage of the story was done marvelously.
Garney’s art continues to impress. While his action is top-notch, his character really sells everything else about the book. It gets across exactly what it needs to at all time; so much of this book is visual, and his character acting sells everything very well. Garney is a seasoned pro, and it shows.
BRZRKR #4 puts the capstone on B’s origin and builds things for the future. This story isn’t exactly a new story- Kindt and Reeves are sort of telegraphing exactly where the book is going, with the government trying to create more of him, the object that will make B normal, and how his powers came about- but it’s well told. Garney’s art is the icing on the cake; it works with the script very well. This book may not be re-inventing the wheel, but it’s still great.
