I really enjoyed the premise behind this latest title from Top Cow Productions. The story and plot delivered by Hardcore is intriguing, and by the end of issue I was hooked. The look into the way this world uses it’s technology to eliminate threats and targets is nothing short of spectacular and innovative. All in all, I’m looking forward to see where this is going. But, for a more in depth look at Hardcore, continue reading.
Hardcore begins with the head of a crime family speaking to other members of the family about their new business, which includes warheads. He turns the discussion over to his brother who promptly proceeds to attack him. It is revealed that he is somehow under the control of another man, Agent Drake, who is using his body to attack. Drake manages to take out his target and disconnect himself from the person he’s controlling. After he exits the control device he meets the new liaison from the Department of Defense, Bonnie Price, and gives her a rundown of the operation. The process is started when a sniper fires the hardcore into the neck of a target. It accesses the brain stem and allows for full control of the subject’s body. Drake then plugs into his station and assumes control of the subject to assassinate the real target, who Drake says are bad people.But, if Drake is connected for longer than 72 hours, when the hardcore begins to dissolve, a feedback arc would cause massive brain damage.
Drake then leaves Bonnie and goes to his apartment where he finds a man named Markus (or Marcus, more on that later) waiting for him. Come to find out that Markus invented the Hardcore technology and Drake was only chosen because he had better physical scores. After Drake kicks Markus out, it shows him back in the device and plugged into a new person. But, before he can even get started on his mission, Bonnie kills all of the technicians and allows Markus to enter. Markus then tells Drake that if he exits that chamber he will kill him, but that in 72 hours he will die anyway. Drake then has to use the body he’s in to save his own life.
Robert Kirkman is best known for his zombie work on The Walking Dead. But, the story he pens here is fantastic. I really dig the technology shown here that allows a person to take full control over someone’s body. One of the aspects that I am glad Kirkman addressed was who they choose to use. He acknowledged that because they control are often killed after they assassinate their target, they choose someone who is as bad as the person being killed. But, they are not always able to find someone like that, as the beautiful cover from Marc Silvestri suggests.
The art from Brian Stelfreeze is impressive to say the least. I really like the design of the technology shown that allows Drake to control a person. And the fight scenes at the beginning and when Bonnie attacks the technicians are both well drawn and look fluid. Facial expressions and very crisp and convey emotion perfectly.
I am looking forward to see how Drake manages to get out of the situation he is in. As I mentioned earlier, I am unsure how to properly spell the main antagonist’s name. He is originally named as Markus, but is later written as Marcus. This is just picking at nits and doesn’t change the story at all, I’m just unsure of how this slipped past. But, this has the potential to be a great series.
Art: 7.5/10
Script: 7.5/10
Parental concern: Violence and language.
Hardcore #1 hits shelves tomorrow, 5/16
Whoa, this sounds pretty sweet! I love the angle Kirkman takes on mind control. Great review Jason!
