When DC announced its first wave of Next Level titles, a new Lobo series was the least surprising comic on the list. The character is slated to make his DCU debut in this summer’s Supergirl movie, played by Jason Momoa. What is surprising, however, is that the first issue goes beyond being a simple cash grab. Even though the title of the first issue is “One Ca$h Grab After Another.”
Our story opens with the Man Main doing what he does best: hunting bounties and killing anyone who gets in his way. Or looks like they might get in his way. Or just generally annoy him.
Yet despite being a high-functioning sociopath, Lobo is no common killer. He has a strict code of honor. He refuses to kill on behalf of other people unless he is being paid and paid well.
Lobo explains all this, along with his backstory, after a bit of confusion when he is asked, “What’s his deal?” However, when his current bounty is cancelled after his broker sells out to a big multimedia conglomerate, the Main Man sets off in search of satisfaction. This leads to an even bigger opportunity and some spirited satire of Warner Bros. Discovery.
Lobo #1 is a perfect first issue
As a character, Lobo has an odd history. After being introduced as a straightforward space mercenary, he was retconned into an over-the-top parody of anti-heroes like Punisher and Wolverine. Surprisingly (at least to co-creator Keith Giffen), the parody proved popular with people who didn’t get the joke. Deciding that if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em, Giffen began using Lobo to satirize other aspects of popular culture.
Writer Scottie Young continues this tradition with the new Lobo series. Fittingly, this includes some not-so-subtle stabs at the MCU, anti-heroes in general, and Deadpool and Wolverine in specific, as Lobo plays film critic. This, coupled with the many jokes about reality TV, go beyond biting the hand that feeds you. Lobo #1 devours the hand completely.
The artwork by Jorge Corona proves a perfect match to Young’s script. Corona’s style is uniquely chaotic, yet evokes the spirit of Simon Bisley‘s work on earlier Lobo comics. Detail-driven and utterly imaginative, Corona’s art has multiple gags hidden in the backgrounds.
Indeed, fans of the classic Lobo comics will see a number of Easter eggs contained within the Main Man’s recollection of his history. Colorist Jean-François Beaulieu adds the perfect finishes with some truly vivid colors that make every individual character pop in the crowd scenes. And Nate Piekos adds life to the many colorful balloons that punctuate the violence.
Much like Lobo himself, this comic is crude but far smarter than it seems. If you’re a fan of the Main Man from way back when, Lobo #1 will be a welcome homecoming. If you’re a newcomer wondering what the fuss is about, this is a perfect place to find out what you’ve been missing.
Grade: 10/10
Lobo #1 is now available at comic shops everywhere.
