Customer Reviews

Apache Skies TPB

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John Ostrander pens a very traditional Western tale here; his efforts are livened up marvelously by the art of Leonardo Manco, who turns a simple tale of vengeance into a visual extravaganza. The art makes a mockery of the cover price.

I loved John Ostrander's run on DC Comics' Suicide Squad, so I had no hesitation about picking out Apache Skies as part of my recent "Wild Wild West" focus when it comes to graphic novels. But, in a nutshell, the plot involving the Rawhide Kid tracking down Apache Kid's murderers--most especially the notorious Billly Tyler who is protected by his railroad tycoon father--unfolds in fairly predictable fashion, up to and including a final confrontation on a moving train travelling across a rickety wooden bridge. Things are slightly complicated by the fact that Rawhide Kid has a rival in revenge; Apache Kid's beautiful but deadly widow, is also out hunting widowmakers. But again, their reluctant collaboration on the project--a pact made literally while under fire--leads to the usual bickering standard to these sorts of partnerships. Things get more interesting and unpredictable when the pair are sidetracked by a different mission: liberate some Apache children who are to be packed off to a school that will assimilate them into Anglo culture. And then we have our fiery finale.

This story needed something more to shake it up a bit, and that doesn't happen. Luckily, the painted artwork more than makes up for a risk-free plot. The colours--the brown and steel of the clothes and weapons, the skin tones, the blood-soaked puddles--it all brings the action to life in dusty streets or while riding the rails. I guess if I want Ostrander complexity at its finest, I will reread Suicide Squad #s 53-57. Here the emotions are worn on leather sleeves, statements are made with bullets, and justice is done simply and swiftly.

Leonardo Manco is one of th best unknown artists the world of comics has to offer. I followed his early work in Hellstorm when it was in still rough on th edges, but over the years he has evolved into an artist that is worth delving deep into his magic. His work on Blaze of Glory was excellent. His pencils, sharp and crisp, truly capturing the essence of the wild wild west. In the sequel, he shifts gear and goes for the painted approach rather than the pencils and he just keeps getting better and better.

Apache Skies takes off at a time later than its first part, Blaze of Glory. While, the first had an all out cast of heroes, the showcase here is mainly on one, the Raw-Hide Kid. Following the death of his partner, the Apache Kid, Raw-Hide seeks retribution on his friend's killers. Little does he know that Apache Kid's widow is alson on the hunt of those same men. Only when the two head on for a collision course, does the story pick up. Vengeance, anger and the fight for freedom are the driving forces of this chapter of Marvel's Wild West saga. John Ostrander creates a believable human story, but does not appreciate the buddin interaction betwen his two main characters. Delving deeper in this would have created a whole array of how even more exciting the road could have been.

Manco saves the day with incredible art. One thing that can be said that could be held against him is the fact that the colors are kind of on the darker side. You would need a good light to appreciate the details of the painted captions. Manco scores big with this one. Ostrander should leave more leeway for the new up and cominf writers to take over the helm of writing another piece of Western history. In the third part of this trilogy starring the Raw-Hide Kid, the creative team goes through a complete overhaul. It's sad not having Manco take over the art chores, but then again, like any excellent talent, he doesn't wish to be stereotyped as a Marvel Western artist.

All in all, this book captures the darker times of the Wild West. It's more than fair enough to say that it is treat not for just comic readers, but anyone who appreciates a good Western story.