Challengers of the Unknown: Stolen Moments, Borrowed Time

Challengers of the Unknown (2004) #1-6

by Howard Chaykin, Michelle Madsen (Illustrator)

Five extraordinary people with seemingly nothing in common share the bond of surviving a cataclysmic event. In a world devoid of super-heroes, they will come together and discover that all they know has been a lie--that the world we live in is not the one we believe it to be. To survive they must unite and face the true masters of our universe. It's a world where literally anything can happen, and probably will--as if living on borrowed time wasn't enough

Genres: Comics, Fiction, Comic Book, Graphic Novels

144 pages, Paperback

First published March 29, 2006

About the author

Howard Victor Chaykin is an American comic book artist and writer. Chaykin's influences include his one-time employer and mentor, Gil Kane, and the mid-20th century illustrators Robert Fawcett and Al Parker.

Reviews

[Artur Coelho · Rating 3 out of 5]

Se Chaykin se distingue pelo seu estilo visual dinâmico há momentos em que o excessivo dinamismo acaba por complicar a leitura. É o caso deste Challengers of the Unknown, que até parte de premissas interessantes mas descamba no estilismo comunicativo do argumentista-ilustrador. A sua revisão a estes personagens clássicos que, volta não volta, a DC tenta ressuscitar sem grande sucesso envolve ex-assassinos programados em luta contra uma conspiração de oligarcas que já domina o mundo. Tem um ponto de muito interesse. A páginas tantas Chaykin coloca-os na lua, onde os oligarcas construíram uma base saída dos sonhos da ilustração dos anos 50. O ilustrador deleita-se a recriar a iconografia clássica das naves, aeronaves, foguetões e design retro-futurista, iconografias que lhe são queridas. conceptualmente consegue tocar na manipulação dos media por interesses financeiros específicos, mas o tom geral de excessivo dinamismo anula as leituras possíveis desta revisão aos clássicos desafiadores do desconhecido.

[Darcy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I may have had an advantage with this book as I had not read any of the previous Challengers of the Unknown series, so this was all new to me. As a result, I had a pretty good time. The story line has been seen before and resembles The Bourne Identity, but with some interesting twists. It is more of an origin story and we get to see how the team comes together. There are lots of loose ends left lying around so I could only wonder if the intent was to do more of this series. This did not happen, which is a pity. If I could do 3 1/2 stars, that would be my rating. I am a Howard Chaykin fan and liked the story, but was disappointed there was not more. I bumped up because of Chaykin's writing and art.

[Erik Wirfs-Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Throwaway mid 2000s miniseries, taking the name of some old Kirby characters to spin a pulpy spy tale of the masters of the world being gross perverts and brainwashing progressive cultural figures to be their secret assassins. Thinly plotted, and the Chaykin doesn't really inspire with the art either, but I enjoyed it for the over the top cartoonishness of it, and I did laugh at the dialogue. Modern Chaykin has definitely done better, let alone the classics he was making in the 80s, but this is ok enough.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chaykin does it again. Sexual mayhem in an apocalyptic, disfunctional world. nd doing it with some B list DC story line from the dim past.

[Arsalan Chishty · Rating 1 out of 5]

“Like Hitler, let me plead guilty... with an explanation.” What?

[Ian Massey · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't normally rate or review comics/Tpbs but... wait. What

[Martin · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ah yes! What I remember most about this book is the feeling of disappointment that wouldn't wash off, no matter how hard I scrubbed. A slight consolation for me, at least, was the fact that I'd gotten this book at a discount. Hey, come to think of it, the same thing happened with Spider-Woman, Agent of S.W.O.R.D. - and they both sucked!

Looking for old school Challengers of the Unknown action? Look elsewhere. Chaykin is an industry legend, granted, but this is a revamp that totally fizzled. Be wary of relatively new (that is, newly released) books in bargain bins!

[MerryMeerkat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Star Rating Art: 4 Stars
Star Rating Story: 1 Stars

Netgalley Review.

Like how catwoman drawn a lot. Joker not as gross and discusting in this one. For the most part I am really liking the art.: Catwoman totally hot. I love her short black hair. The joker isn���t as discusting in this version of events. I���m giving up after 64 pages. I���m bored as hell and I don���t want to waste anymore reading time on this. I really liked the other books (of the 3 I���ve read) so I���m bummed I didn���t like this more. But Catwoman, totally hot.


Quotes: ���And another thing. You can���t even smile. All you can do is unzip your face.��� -Catwoman to Joker

[Morgan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once you get past the heavy handed plot the book breaks down into two distinct sequences: 1. Repetitive mantra-like scenes intended to give insight and backstory to ultimately one dimensional characters. 2. The main characters standing around persistently shooting with lots Chaykinesque sound effects (somehow moving from location to location).

Lots of action happens between the gutters.

The end.

[Shannon Appelcline · Rating 1 out of 5]

Dull, characterless characters. Dull plot. An excruciatingly long setup for a story that doesn't actually occur. And, of no interest to fans of the Silver Age Challengers.