Reviews of graphic novels and comic book collections every Tuesday and Thursday.


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Concrete Vol. 6: Strange Armor by Paul Chadwick
With the publication of Concrete Vol. 6: Strange Armor (2006, Dark Horse, Amazon listing), the seven volume reprint collection of (I believe) all the Concrete stories is now complete (yes, volume seven came out before this volume). Now there is a long wait until Paul Chadwick puts out a new series.

The mini-series collected here retells Concrete's origin. The script is adapted from a screenplay that Chadwick worked on with others when there was interest in a Concrete movie. The origin story itself (aliens transplanted Ron Lithgow's brain into a rock-hard body) doesn't really work in light of the realistic approach Chadwick takes throughout the series. This version falls into some Hollywood storytelling that doesn't fit either and makes this the weakest of the main Concrete story arcs. Between Concrete's first-person telling of the story, the all-too bad antagonist, and the action-packed finale, it just doesn't seem like a Concrete story. Actually, looking back on it, it reads like the Hulk movie, but this was a decade before Ang Lee's movie.

Where Chadwick and Concrete shine are in the short stories. None are better than "I Strive for Realism," a self-referential piece about Chadwick's control of the Concrete universe. The other Concrete pieces are the thoughtful meditations Chadwick is best known for writing. Also included are two "A Sky of Heads" episodes, a Chadwick autobiographical piece, and "Brighter", a short story that seems to reference Dazzler, a Marvel character Chadwick worked on early in his career.

It is disappointing that I've now gone through all the Concrete stories. But Chadwick supposedly has another mini-series and a novel in the works. Not sure when they will appear, but I will keep my eyes open for them as Concrete is a fascinating character that comes to life under Chadwick's guidance.

Concrete Vol. 6: Strange Armor 3.5 stars (out of 5)
posted by Sean McGurr at 8:00 AM