Customer Reviews

Magnus, Robot Fighter 4000 A.D. Volume 1 (v. 1)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

As most people know, DC Comics has had their archive program (hardcover reprints of older comics) for over a decade now. Not only has DC archived their big guns characters (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman), but they've also gotten their lesser characters (Sgt. Rock, Doom Patrol), the characters they've acquired (Blackhawk, Shazam) AND characters they've licenced for the simple purpose of archiving them (the Spirit, T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents). Given this nice bit of diversity, I took it for granted that at some point, DC would also get around to archiving the characters published by Western/Gold Key. Imagine my surprise when it was announced that Gold Key's work would be archived, NOT by DC, but by Dark Horse!

Not that I'm complaining, of course. It's great to see "Magnus: Robot Fighter, 4000 AD" and "Doctor Solar: Man of the Atom" in some format. And Dark Horse isn't so unlikely. This is a company that built itself on licenced properties (rather like Western), and has itself begun a variety of reprint programs. So, they've entered the arena. Good for them.

Like most readers my age, my first exposure to these characters, including Magnus, came in the early 1990s, when they were acquired and published by the now-defunct Valiant Comics. I did get on board somewhat late, when the whole of the Valiant line was beginning its slouch towards despair, so to speak. I did enjoy "Magnus" for a while. However, my decision to read this Archive volume has more to do with my interest in Silver Age comics. I am quite pleased that I did.

For those coming in late, Magnus is a denizen of the year 4000 AD (or AD 4000, as is correct), a time where all of the citizens of the continent-size city North Am have become complacent and entirely too dependent on robots. Raised by the very first robot, Magnus was taught how to fight evil robots, his body honed until his strength could smash steel. And for the seven issues contained in this volume, that's exactly what Magnus does, battling corrupt robots or corrupt humans who use robots for their own nefarious purposes. At the same time, he forms a tight bond with Leeja Clane, daughter of a senator, herself sick of robot control.

The big draw here of course is that great artwork by Russ Manning. The line-work is absolutely clean, tight, and vibrant. Further, the designs of the robots, the costumes of the humans, and the city itself, demonstrate the vibrancy and imagination Manning possessed.

Manning wasn't a slouch in the writing department, either. Each story exhibits an excellent grasp of pacing and drama, as well as ingenuity. The villains are also legitimate threats. H-8, the corrupt robot controller of the pol-robs (police robots), Mekman, the human who wants to be a robot, and Xyrkol, Magnus's most persistent foe, all present complex challenges that draw the reader in, as we watch and wonder how Magnus will inevitably beat them. It's difficult to zero in on one favorite story. All are excellent examples of why this series attained its classic stature.

However, due to thematic concerns, there is a certain of repetition in the stories. Manning's central theme was wariness of technology. Thus, Magnus often intones dire warnings about how lazy man has become, how dependent on robots man is, and how man should always be prepared for the day when the robots revolt. The stories, naturally, follow these predictions, as Magnus battles malfunctioning robots, infected robots, and megalomaniacal robots. It's fortunate that Manning new how to write an entertaining story, because the formula might have worn thin.

Someone else has griped about the quality of the reprint. Granted, the colors are not as vibrant as they could have been. However, I'm not sure if that's Dark Horse's fault. Having looked through some of the original comics, I don't think Gold Key had great coloring process to begin with (compared with DC, and, much later, Marvel). Granted, Dark Horse could have re-colored the series. Still, that's really a minor quibble, and in no way impacted my enjoyment of the series. If nothing else, the original covers, nearly all painted art, are included, and like most GK covers, are all gorgeous.

Dark Horse has planned only three volumes, encompassing Manning's work. This seems limited, since this series did continue beyond Manning (not much, but still). I'm also looking forward to the "Doctor Solar" hardcover, and the further volumes of "Magnus". Terrific stuff.

You could pay hundreds of dollars for a pristine copy of volume one of Russ Manning's 1963 Gold Key sci-fi comic, Magnus Robot Fighter. Or you could get this beautiful, color, hardbound Dark Horse edition of the first seven comics, not for the retail $50, but for a much lower Amazon price. Baby Boomers will remember Manning's ground- breaking classic, which everywhere raised the bar for sci-fi comics, but newer readers who may have discovered Magnus through the many later comics and graphic novels editions, will also be delighted to discover the original source.

Manning is known for his work on Tarzan and other comics, and his art in Magnus is a delight to the eye, with a sweeping painterly style reminiscent of Alex Raymond's Flash Gordon comics. Unheard of at the time, he was also allowed to sign his comics for Gold Key, the later comics imprint of Western Publishing, which had also published Dell comics.

NorthAm, the continent-spanning city of the 41st century, is completely run by, and completely dependent on, robots which obey a variant of Isaac Asimov's three laws of robotics. Forseeing this dangerous trend, a Yoda-like robot named A1 (does that sound like AI?) raises an orphan human named Magnus to fight robots should the need arise. He trains his body as a well-oiled machine until he can deliver karate chops with "steel smashing strength." For various reasons, some robots turn against humans and try to destroy NorthAm, often in the employ of a human dictator, and Magnus is called out as a man on a mission. In the style of early 'sixties sci-fi, Manning always closed with a moral, that we must never become too dependent on technology, and that it is meant to be the servant of man.

Manning created a host of intriguing robot designs (some of them resemble Ideal's Zeroids), and this book includes all seven original Gold Key covers (without the text), as well as a brief bio of Manning and Foreword by Mike Royer. Now when so many comics and cartoons are spun off from licensed properties, it's amazing to think that in his designs and stories for Magnus, Manning created an original hero and unique millieu that are still inspiring today.

Hard to believe but good things were occasionally going on in comics not produced by DC or Marvel in the early 1960s, and this series is definitely one of them. I loved the clean-lined , realistic Russ Manning art as a child, and am more impressed with the stories as an adult. Each issue was a 27 page tale, with no chapters, that reads like an hour long Star Trek TV episode. Not much character development, but well thought out plots and action. Magnus is Tarzan of the future fighting evil robots, not apes. And wearing his trademark hot pink mini-tunic and white go-go boots! (Not that there's anything wrong with that.) The boots were actually a colorist's mistake that stuck. Gal pal Leeja is one of the most beautiful heroines in comics. Each page is portrayed almost like a Sunday comic serial such as Flash Gordon or Prince Valliant. Great stuff and very different from Marvel or DC at the time. Do not miss this fantastic collection of the first 7 issues. Reproduction is a little disappointing but not enough to hinder the appreciation of a true comic art master, Russ Manning! Lets see all 21 of his issues in print in this format!

This collection, reprinting the first seven Gold Key "Magnus Robot Fighter" comics from the 60s, features artist Russ Manning at his peak. Those beautiful painted covers are reproduced without titles or lettering and they are a glory to behold. The stories are wonderful as well, a bit simplistic and not a lot of character development, but that was true of most 60s comics. Dark Horse has done a great service reprinting these stories in hard cover and I look forward to the next two volumes.

Others have mentioned the problem with the reprints, and I agree - I almost returned it, but ya know, you'll never find these anywhere else. I still have the original issues 14-21, and can attest to the brilliance of the original comic book artwork & color, which is why I ordered the 3 books. I am guessing there were digital scanning issues? Or was it just in the printing process? Who knows? Who cares! It's still great and worth it...but Dark Horse should redo them and send we Amazonians complimentary new versions when they're done - everyone agree? Anyway - the message of Magnus is to not trust machines, and it's never been more true than today.

This is a warning review about the rip-off sellers charging way too much for out of print stuff.(Not Amazon's fault as they have no control as to what these individuals charge.) If you don't mind paperback, this book is in print in that format. Buy that version. There are good sellers, don't support the bad ones!

I am an avid collector of comics and started collecting the Marvel Masterworks when they first came out. DC followed suit and now Dark Horse is jumping on the bandwagon. Marvel and DC have lots of history and should concentrate on their own bodies of work, but it is nice to see someone step up to the plate and take on the lesser known publishers of the Silver-Age (although technically, DC did it first with T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents).

Dark Horse does this edition justice. For those of us who were not alive to see these in the original release, it is great to see Manning's comics on the printed page (and at a fraction of the cost of the individual original books). Manning was a pioneer, do yourself a favor and pick up this book, I was glad I did.

This has incredible art by russ manning and cool stories from the mid60's. I didn't find the reproduction to be a problem at all. Unlike the recent dc reprints which are hideous this looks pretty good. These are the early issues of robot fighter and they still remain good fun as magnus battles evil robots. It's now in a paperback volume which is cheaper but this volume has better paper and looks better. Magnus was always a little different than most comic fare of it's day and it even had a comeback later in the 80's-90's. But this is a good way to get some great art and entertaining stories of a magnus who can chop a robot down with his bare hands!.

This is a great addition to any collection! Some say today that Magnus the Robot Fighter lacks the darkness and the depth of modern(ist) "heroes". However, I say that Magnus stands way above what passes for modern(ist) "heroes" in that the protagonists of the stories are true and honourable and are not mere scape goats for those who today like to pretend they are just being "human" when they lie, cheat, steal and decieve others.

Magnus the Robot Fighter is a role model that is NEEDED for the young of today - and a very refreshing reminder of how things SHOULD be and of how we SHOULD strive for the ultimate good.

As to be specific about the reprint - I would have liked to have seen the ads and the full covers reprinted in the book but the quality is good (even though in the early 60's the quality of the comic itself could have been printed a bit better ...). It will make a great addition to any bookshelf and will bring back some nostalgia to those who remember this fantastic series.

I would have gladly given 5 stars and I believe Magnus the Robot Fighter series is definately worth MORE than 5 stars but I'm rating this specific edition.

Too bad Valiant tried to change Magnus into a modern(ist) hero ... maybe they'd still be in business ...

I am so disappointed.

One of my favorite comics of all time.

Looked forward to this for weeks. Disappointed and shocked at lousy reproduction quality.

Magnus (and Manning) deserved better.

And I am out $33.