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BERSERKOTRON #1
by David Robertson
(99pUK/$2.00US from
David Robertson)
Review by Steve Keeter
My first impression of this comic was that the artwork was somewhat simplistic, despite the presence (not too uncommon these days in small press) of color covers. While there is some experimentation with shading techniques in the shorter strips, the main story, "Berserkotron," lacks this. Nor is there any variation in the thickness of lines; it all seems to have been inked with one felt-tip pen or something. However, the artist (also author, David Robertson) does exhibit skill in laying out individual scenes and panels. He avoids the "talking heads" trap and the "camera angle" is constantly changing, no two panels are alike, and the visual aspect of the work ultimately wins one over in spite of itself.
David Robertson is an excellent writer, with a keen flair for dialogue, which is a good thing, as the 22-page main story is, essentially, nothing but that. The characters, a young high school genius who has created a robot, and his friends, discuss school and the upcoming "Robot Wars" competition during the entirety of the book, which ends, disappointingly, with "To Be Continued." It is to Robertson's credit that it is indeed a disappointment, because he genuinely keeps us glued to this entertaining dialogue. We just, darn it, don't want to wait those months in between for the next episode! We definitely become involved with the characters, we want our young hero to win the competition, we boo at the introduction of the inevitable high school bully, and our curiosity is aroused at the mention of "magic paint" designed to make a robot indestructible.
The shorter strips, a couple of one-pagers and a two-pager, are humorous and clever, especially an apparently autobiographical piece, "Explosions," about a kid and his Dad who hear an explosion while out shopping. The boy is frightened, and the conversation that ensues is both realistic and poignant. A later strip, about an astronaut who finds a comic on the surface of the moon, lacks punch to its final punchline.
Berserkotron #1 is a bit of a mixed bag, but all in all, a very enjoyable read, written by an obvious natural talent. I have a feeling the very best is yet to come.
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