BRZRKR nº 02/12

BRZRKR (Single Issues) #2

by Keanu Reeves, Matt Kindt, Ron Garney

* U.S. government Doctor Diana Ahuja seeks to unlock the mysterious B.'s memories -- lifetimes of violence and tragedy like no one else who has ever lived that began with a fateful decision in ancient Mesopotamia.

* But is Diana here to help him... or is she serving a darker agenda?

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fiction, Fantasy, Comic Book, Science Fiction, Graphic Novels Comics

40 pages, Paperback

Published May 11, 2022

About the author

Keanu Charles Reeves is a Canadian actor. Born in Beirut and raised in Toronto, Reeves began acting in theatre productions and in television films before making his feature film debut in Youngblood (1986). He had his breakthrough role in the science fiction comedy Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure (1989), and he reprised his role in its sequels. He gained praise for playing a hustler in the independent drama My Own Private Idaho (1991) and established himself as an action hero with leading roles in Point Break (1991) and Speed (1994).

Following several box office failures, Reeves's performance in the horror film The Devil's Advocate (1997) was well received. Greater stardom came for playing Neo in the science fiction series The Matrix, beginning in 1999. He played John Constantine in Constantine (2005) and starred in the romantic drama The Lake House (2006), the science fiction thriller The Day the Earth Stood Still (2008), and the crime thriller Street Kings (2008). Following another commercially down period, Reeves made a successful comeback by playing the titular assassin in the John Wick film series, beginning in 2014.

In addition to acting, Reeves has directed the film Man of Tai Chi (2013). He has played bass guitar for the band Dogstar and pursued other endeavours such as writing and philanthropy.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

(B+) 78% | Good
Notes: Apt origin tale, how strength prevails, blood off-the-scale, more bashing brains, weird lightning-induced labor pains.

*Progress update

[Heidi Wiechert · Rating 3 out of 5]

BRZRKR #2 continues the quest to examine the ancient warrior's past in order to reproduce his incredible powers for modern warfare.

The collected issues didn't advance the story very far, but the art was good.

There was much less violence in this book. Perhaps they've already established what an astounding warrior our main character is and don't feel the need to show that as much. Whatever the reason, I felt this book was much easier to read than the last.

The authors are introducing more side characters and Diana, one of the lead scientists who are examining our titular character, gets an interesting twist in her storyline.

The artwork and lettering is as good as the last book. There are some very talented artists bringing this series to life.

Recommended for adults because of the content.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25 stars. This book focuses on the main characters beginnings, how and why he came to be. Pretty cool concept and some more brutal scenes. The present day stuff didn’t really progress any.

[Dollie · Rating 4 out of 5]

BRZRKR takes a licking and keeps on ticking and scientists are determined to find out what it is that makes him tick. Is he even human?

[Myles Likes Tacos and Rice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'll just paste a text from my friend "Brzrkr is nuts. I think there's a panel where a dude gets stabbed with a horse's jaw."

after reading this, you'll be pumped. Pumped for what? I do not know.

Would also recommend singing along to the Berserker song from that Russian dude in Clerks while reading this

[Georgie Zakka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nothing wrong, but there aren’t enough redeeming qualities or a real overarching antagonist.

[Oneirosophos · Rating 4 out of 5]

BEST MANLY ORIGIN EVER WRITTEN 10/10

[MURAT BAYRAKTAR · Rating 2 out of 5]

İlk fasiküle göre hikaye anlatımında biraz daha yere basan ve nispeten daha doyurucu bir etki bıraktı. Hala çizimlerini ve renklendirmesini beğenmiyorum ancak Keanu Reeves hatrına biraz daha şans vermek istiyorum. Anlamsız şiddet ve kan revanın yanı sıra, bir hikayesi ve metni olduğunu görmeye başladık bu sayıda en azından.

[Juju ♡ ～('▽^人) · Rating 4 out of 5]

that was pretty fucked up, and gory. holy, damn.

makes sense about why he, as a baby, had teeth - his mom did get impregnated by a...god? it was pretty cool; i was definitely able to to envision this as show, that's how smooth the transitions kind of went between the pictures. very cool-y drawn!

[Jay · Rating 2 out of 5]

Collecting issues 5-8 of BRZRKR, I didn’t like this one as much as the first. Unlike the first volume, I found the story here to be all over the place. Disjointed and hard to follow, it had be scratching my head more than once. I thought there’d be a bit about love (even if we knew it’d be tragic) but that was like 2 pages and all disjointed. 🤷🏼‍♀️

[Shannon · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.25

[Michael Emond · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked the second issue slightly better than the first issue. It is so weird to read a comic book issue by issue. It feels like ages since I did this. I can't imagine paying $4 for each issue and waiting a month for the next on a regular basis. Give me collected graphic novels. Because - let's face it - comic book stories are now designed to be collected in graphic novels and unlike the old days the issues do not stand on their own. That's good and bad. Good because you get more complex story telling and character development. Bad because often the writer slows the pace of the story to stretch it out and bad because it takes longer to get to a point in the story where you feel hooked.
This second issue flashes back to the main character's childhood and how he became a BRZRKR. It is nothing special - a village gets attacked every year, a mom prays for help from their gods (there is a hint the gods might be sci fi in nature i.e. an advanced civilization, but I could be wrong) and the BRZRKR child is born and grows to be 10 years old in a year. He is powerful, heals fast, and a really boring character so far. That's my problem with the series so far - the writers haven't given me a reason to care about BRZRKR. It makes you see why doing something as simple as "killing his dog" gave John Wick humanity and a purpose. You need that, or otherwise it is just "violent character does violent things".
We'll see if the writers add another layer to this series but so far...pass.

[Stephen Newell · Rating 3 out of 5]

The plot thickens...for better or for worse.

Can't decide how I feel about this series still. The concept seems interesting, but the team has some...creative...artistic and conceptual choices in this issue for sure. I'll keep going though, if for no other reason than to simply answer my questions.

[David Dalton · Rating 5 out of 5]

just coming onboard. So I got a 2nd print. Still loved it and will ready for issue #3. Shades of the Old Guard! But even more violent, if that is even possible. Not crazy about the backup story, I am sure BRZRKR readers want more Keanu action with his character!

[Ethan Woods]

A brutally propulsive comic. Every second has energy. And the way it throttles forward here but fleshes out and reveals the history of this primal human bullet (that was once happy). Just fucking awesome. And of course I love all the gore

[Nicole · Rating 3 out of 5]

So far, the series is okay. I just want to read more to see if this series will get more interesting.

[Luly Ceballos · Rating 5 out of 5]

We are starting to know our protagonist's story a little more. Loving every step of the way.

[Bob Box · Rating 3 out of 5]

More bloodletting and trying to discover his origin.

[Iskren Zayryanov · Rating 5 out of 5]

Вече е наличен в книжарниците! Вчера си го взех и вече е прочетен!
Бях се отказал да очаквам втори том, но „Студио Артлайн“ ме изненадаха прекрасно.
Кой и какъв всъщност е Б – полубог, безсмъртен но раним? Какво е влиянието му върху човешката история и какво точно помни за произхода си? Плод на божествена намеса ли е, или на толкова напреднала технология, че изглежда като магия? Е, не всички въпроси намират отговор тук, а и се появяват нови, та ще трябва да изчакам и за том 3. Но комиксът е перфектен за една добре прекарана вечер с него в едната ръка и чаша бира в другата. Наслада е и за окото и за феновете на добрата фантастична история
Като бонус, последната част от томчето е панел с концептуални корици, които са страхотни

[Philmore Olazo · Rating 4 out of 5]

We get some backstory into the berserker's life back in the prehistoric age.

Two different accounts as to what he is, he’s clearly human. But was he affected by the components in a ritual? Is he something akin to a demigod? He himself doesn’t know.

This comes with some intriguing implications, of course the US government would want to work with him to try and replicate his powers, but he’s not really optimistic after seeing many sages, mages, and more try in the past and all failing. Hell, he even sees the USA as the latest superpower to arrive and perhaps not the last one…

[Bookish & Badger · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't decide where Ii stand on this series yet. The pace is fairly slow, but I'm also itching to know what happens next, which is both a good sign and frustrating. Again, there's an interesting lack of narrative with many panels being leaning into visual storytelling (lots of violence) as opposed to outright "storytelling." In some ways, it feels like you're reading a storyboard for a movie. Not necessarily a bad thing, but I feel like there's a lot more to unpack with this story.

[Alisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is very interesting. As I read more of these comics/graphic novels. It is interesting that they are trying to solve the mystery of this God like being. But they are also trying to replicate and make more of him perhaps as a army of their own. I'm not sure. I'm intrigued and look forward to reading the next volume.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love Brzrkr!!! can't wait for volume 3

[D Muerte · Rating 2 out of 5]

The drawing didn't improve but I'm kinda curious about the plot to stop just yet.

[FIRST EAGLE · Rating 3 out of 5]

7/10

[Kirsten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actual story in this one, not just bloody stuff

[Rory · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well that was an unexpected twist.

[Txisko · Rating 3 out of 5]

El flash back tiene demasiado peso, o el número de páginas es demasiado corto para sacar algo más al número. Se nota que hace mucho que no leo grapas sueltas, y ahora se ve hacen muy cortas.

[Dustin Griffin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good as vol. 1

[Nisar Masoom · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wowza! I thought BRZRKR Issue #1 was average but BRZRKR Issue #2 is like that superior sequel to a meh movie. It contains as much gore as the previous chapter but this time the carnage is thoroughly justified.

We find out that there is a mystical reason behind Berserker’s birth. I really liked the flashbacks to the cavemen era, and that there was not a random reason behind our hero gaining powers.

I am also appreciating Ron Garney’s art style more even though I have read better. The action is top notch and I really appreciated the designs of the prehistoric-period characters, especially the young version of Berserker and his flashy blue eyes, along with the illustrations of the wild animals.

If you are faint of heart then BRZKR Issue #2 might not be for you as it shows violence against children as well. This ain’t no PG-13 comic. It goes all out. And I would have given it a full 5 stars but a 4/5 rating is more suitable given that it’s simply a better continuation of a lackluster first instalment.

Read this review on Lit Retreat: https://www.literaryretreat.com/brzrk...