Nemesis #1: Second Opinion

Marvel Comics
Nemesis #1: Second Opinion
By Dan Horn
March 29, 2010 - 13:07

Marvel Comics
Writer(s): Mark Millar
Penciller(s): Steve McNiven
Inker(s): Steve McNiven
Colourist(s): Dave McCaig
Letterer(s): Chris Eliopoulous
Cover Artist(s): Steve McNiven
$2.99 US

Mark Millar's new creator-owned series has been one of the most highly anticipated titles since his series Kick-Ass closed. Teaming up with his Civil War and Old Man Logan co-conspirator/superstar artist Steve McNiven, Millar offers readers Nemesis, another tale which puts a revisionist twist on the super-genre. Only, this time, Millar tackles widely held super-villain stereotypes.

Nemesis is the cunning, resourceful, and seemingly inescapable cop killer who is the world's only super-villain. Once this meta-sportsman sets his sights on a man he sees as challenging game, there's no stopping him from reaching his target. Now, Nemesis comes stateside to hunt down the Washington D.C. police chief who wrote the book on cracking down on crime.

It's really horrifying to think about, really: This unstoppable madman gleefully destroying and slaughtering anything and anyone in his way. This entire first issue casts this enormous shadow of dread on the reader. Millar's writing is extremely effective in making you feel utterly hopeless and vulnerable. Seeing McNiven's magnificent artwork finally put to use on a mature creator-owned title is awe-inspiring. I am in contention with our editor at the Bin on this one. I feel that McNiven's inking is fantastic, and the soft, sketchy lines remind one of Leinil Yu's artwork, who coincidentally drew the variant cover for Nemesis #1.

Nemesis is wrought with completely over-the-top action (see running atop Air Force One in flight and kidnapping the president) and unabashedly gory overkill that will make you giddy with the insanely impossible feats.

All in all, this is another benchmark for the industry as Millar exploits comic book norms yet again and yields startling results for his readers.

Rating: 9.5/10