Magnus, Robot Fighter

Rating:
Summary: Squeee! Magnus is back!
Review: As most people know, DC Comics has had their archive program (hardcover reprints of older comics) for over a decade now. Not only has DC archived their big guns characters (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman), but they've also gotten their lesser characters (Sgt. Rock, Doom Patrol), the characters they've acquired (Blackhawk, Shazam) AND characters they've licenced for the simple purpose of archiving them (the Spirit, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents). Given this nice bit of diversity, I took it for granted that at some point, DC would also get around to archiving the characters published by Western/Gold Key. Imagine my surprise when it was announced that Gold Key's work would be archived, NOT by DC, but by Dark Horse!

Not that I'm complaining, of course. It's great to see "Magnus: Robot Fighter, 4000 AD" and "Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom" in some format. And Dark Horse isn't so unlikely. This is a company that built itself on licenced properties (rather like Western), and has itself begun a variety of reprint programs. So, they've entered the arena. Good for them.

Like most readers my age, my first exposure to these characters, including Magnus, came in the early 1990s, when they were acquired and published by the now-defunct Valiant Comics. I did get on board somewhat late, when the whole of the Valiant line was beginning its slouch towards despair, so to speak. I did enjoy "Magnus" for a while. However, my decision to read this Archive volume has more to do with my interest in Silver Age comics. I am quite pleased that I did.

For those coming in late, Magnus is a denizen of the year 4000 AD (or AD 4000, as is correct), a time where all of the citizens of the continent-size city North Am have become complacent and entirely too dependent on robots. Raised by the very first robot, Magnus was taught how to fight evil robots, his body honed until his strength could smash steel. And for the seven issues contained in this volume, that's exactly what Magnus does, battling corrupt robots or corrupt humans who use robots for their own nefarious purposes. At the same time, he forms a tight bond with Leeja Clane, daughter of a senator, herself sick of robot control.

The big draw here of course is that great artwork by Russ Manning. The line-work is absolutely clean, tight, and vibrant. Further, the designs of the robots, the costumes of the humans, and the city itself, demonstrate the vibrancy and imagination Manning possessed.

Manning wasn't a slouch in the writing department, either. Each story exhibits an excellent grasp of pacing and drama, as well as ingenuity. The villains are also legitimate threats. H-8, the corrupt robot controller of the pol-robs (police robots), Mekman, the human who wants to be a robot, and Xyrkol, Magnus's most persistent foe, all present complex challenges that draw the reader in, as we watch and wonder how Magnus will inevitably beat them. It's difficult to zero in on one favorite story. All are excellent examples of why this series attained its classic stature.

However, due to thematic concerns, there is a certain of repetition in the stories. Manning's central theme was wariness of technology. Thus, Magnus often intones dire warnings about how lazy man has become, how dependent on robots man is, and how man should always be prepared for the day when the robots revolt. The stories, naturally, follow these predictions, as Magnus battles malfunctioning robots, infected robots, and megalomaniacal robots. It's fortunate that Manning new how to write an entertaining story, because the formula might have worn thin.

Someone else has griped about the quality of the reprint. Granted, the colors are not as vibrant as they could have been. However, I'm not sure if that's Dark Horse's fault. Having looked through some of the original comics, I don't think Gold Key had great coloring process to begin with (compared with DC, and, much later, Marvel). Granted, Dark Horse could have re-colored the series. Still, that's really a minor quibble, and in no way impacted my enjoyment of the series. If nothing else, the original covers, nearly all painted art, are included, and like most GK covers, are all gorgeous.

Dark Horse has planned only three volumes, encompassing Manning's work. This seems limited, since this series did continue beyond Manning (not much, but still). I'm also looking forward to the "Doctor Solar" hardcover, and the further volumes of "Magnus". Terrific stuff.

Rating:
Summary: The first metrosexual Sci-Fi action hero
Review: Hard to believe but good things were occasionally going on in comics not produced by DC or Marvel in the early 1960s, and this series is definitely one of them. I loved the clean-lined , realistic Russ Manning art as a child, and am more impressed with the stories as an adult. Each issue was a 27 page tale, with no chapters, that reads like an hour long Star Trek TV episode. Not much character development, but well thought out plots and action. Magnus is Tarzan of the future fighting evil robots, not apes. And wearing his trademark hot pink mini-tunic and white go-go boots! (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) The boots were actually a colorist's mistake that stuck. Gal pal Leeja is one of the most beautiful heroines in comics. Each page is portrayed almost like a Sunday comic serial such as Flash Gordon or Prince Valliant. Great stuff and very different from Marvel or DC at the time. Do not miss this fantastic collection of the first 7 issues. Reproduction is a little disappointing but not enough to hinder the appreciation of a true comic art master, Russ Manning! Lets see all 21 of his issues in print in this format!

Rating:
Summary: A Major disappointment. Awful reproduction!!!
Review: I am so disappointed.
One of my favorite comics of all time.
Looked forward to this for weeks. Disappointed and shocked at lousy reproduction quality.
Magnus (and Manning) deserved better.
And I am out $33.

Rating:
Summary: Russ Manning at his best
Review: This collection, reprinting the first seven Gold Key "Magnus Robot Fighter" comics from the 60s, features artist Russ Manning at his peak. Those beautiful painted covers are reproduced without titles or lettering and they are a glory to behold. The stories are wonderful as well, a bit simplistic and not a lot of character development, but that was true of most 60s comics. Dark Horse has done a great service reprinting these stories in hard cover and I look forward to the next two volumes.