Comic Review: McBain #1

Blockbuster action films of the 1980s were just a completely different breed than what you get today. Big muscle dudes like Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sly Stallone, and Steven Seagal adorned movie posters everywhere and usually meant that the movie studios were going to make bank on whatever shit they release. Ironically enough, the biggest stars barely spoke any discernible English (see: Arnold and Sly) which made Ranier Wolfcastle the greatest spoof of an action movie star because he was voiced by Harry Shearer whom speaks perfect English!

Enter McBain, a new comic one-shot from Bongo inspired by Ranier Wolfcastle’s most famous movie role. Anyone who buys this issue will realize right away that it doesn’t feel like your typical Bongo comic and that’s because it folds out to that of a HUGE poster akin to the 80s stars of yesteryear. Unfortunately, the issue’s biggest strength is also a bit of a weakness because it makes for actually reading ”Have Bodybag, Will Travel” a bit of challenge, so much so that the editor has instructions on how to do so on the back cover.

Fortunately, whatever pains that are presented in the design of the issue, are worth the time in figuring out. The actual story for the issue is pretty funny, and anyone whom is a fan of classic Arnold movies will certainly pick up on the lame one-liners and obvious homages to old-school franchises. Hell, the main villain of the issue is the biggest rip off of M.O.D.O.K as you’re ever gonna see, all this and the fact that you get a brand-new poster for the wall makes for a killer buy.