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Graphic Novel Review


Book Cover

Jack Kirby's OMAC: One Man Army Corps (Hardback)

 

Author: Jack Kirby
Artists: Jack Kirby, D. Bruce Berry and Mike Royer
Titan Books
RRP: £16.99, US $24.99, Cdn $27.99
ISBN-13: 978 1 84576 922 2
ISBN-10: 1 84576 922 8
Available 22 August 2008


In the future, a world ravaged by war and controlled by hyper-rich overlords needs a saviour - now OMAC, the One Man Army Corps, lives - so that man may live. Mild-mannered scientist Buddy Blank is transformed by the secret satellite Brother Eye, given superhuman strength and near-invulnerability, in order to fight for humanity's survival. But with an entire city of enemies to fight, not to mention legions of soldiers, killer robots and much, much more, can even a One Man Army Corps save the day...?

Jack Kirby's OMAC: One Man Army Corps collects together the complete eight issue Kirby Omac saga which was originally printed between 1974-1975.

In the '70s, legendary comics creator Jack Kirby shocked the comics industry when he left Marvel Comics to go over to the competition. What Kirby brought to DC Comics was exciting new characters and explosive new worlds. And for the first time, he was writing, illustrating and editing his new creations.

Following the successes of the Fourth World series of books and Kamandi, the Last Boy on Earth, Kirby brought comic fans his most unusual sci-fi concept: OMAC - One Man Army Corps. Corporate nobody Buddy Blank is changed by the artificial intelligence "Brother Eye" into a super-powered agent of the Global Peace Agency - fighting bizarre menaces in a disturbing, near-future world.

To be honest, this collection has aged pretty well. Sure, it still feels a little dated, but this is mainly down to the colour process that was used for comics back then, rather than the story telling. I also couldn't help but think of Gary Glitter whenever I looked at Omac, which is not a good thing in this day and age - if it ever was.

This is certainly a collection that's worth picking up - it won't be to everyone's taste, but I found it to be an enjoyable read.

7

Pete Boomer

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