The Hire!
The Hire, published by Dark Horse, 104 pages, $17.95.
Need to get from point A to point B as fast and as safely as possible?
Need a read that jacks up your adrenaline level
with adventure, humor and mayhem?
The answer to both needs is the same: The-Hire. Based on web
episodes found at www.bmwfilms.com, The Hire trade
paperback collects the four-issue mini-series from Dark Horse Comics
about a gentleman simply referred to as "The Driver." His talent?
He's the best there is behind the wheel, when you absolutely,
positively have to get where you're going.
Let's start with the obvious appeal; The Hire is as much an adrenaline
rush as a comic book can be. And, while it's
admittedly light on characterization, by it's very nature as an action
story, the individual writers do manage to keep the
characters from being boring.
Did I say "individual writers"? I sure did. That's another appealing
factor of this book. It's written by some of the
biggest names in comics, including Matt Wagner, Mark Waid, Bruce
Campbell, Kurt Busiek and Steven Grant. Seeing all of these writers
put The Driver through his paces in their own unique way, back to
back no less, would be a thrill for most any comic fan.
Keeping with the "anthology" feel of the book, each story also sports a
different fan-favorite artist. Matt Wagner
(penciling his own story), Kilian Plunkett, Claude St. Aubin and
Francisco Ruiz Velasco all put their mark on this BMW property.
So, the long and short of it? If you're looking for something that's fun
to read and showcases many different creative
styles, The Hire is for you. And, even being largely a "wait for the
trade" kind of guy,I'll still recommend any of the single issues, as they
all stand alone very well. And, let's face it, no creator is everyone's
"cup of tea."
The Hire is recommended for all readers. Find it at comics shops and
online comics retailers and auctions.
Mark Allen
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legendary actor William Windom. Star of 18 Broadway plays, 200 TV
shows (Murder She Wrote, Star Trek, etc) & 50 movies, Windom will
chill you as Vance's prose curdles your blood! Light's End #1: "A
Change of Heart" and "Cross Purposes" or #2: "Fall Guy" and "The
Zoo" plus the song "The World Roars On". $10 unsigned. $20 signed
by Windom and Vance. Cassette or CD from: Vance, 1427 S. Delaware
Ave., Tulsa, OK, 74104, or www.starbase21OK.com!
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