Masters of the Universe, Icons of Evil: Trapjaw #1

Snappy Story:

    Robert Kirkman, for those of you who have been living under one or both of the very big rocks that exist in comics ( Marvel and DC). This is the man who is a notorious writer for his work on the hit zombie series, the walking dead, and Invincible. Back a few years ago back when Crossgen still existed he took a stab at the Masters of the universe.....universe, namely he worked on the Icons of Evil series with the help of Ian Richter and Val Staples. They together came up with an established background for these icons of a new cartoon universe. 
 
   This stories timeline focuses on Kronis, a henchman and lieutenant of Keldor though in this issue now turned Skeletor. For those not familiar with the 2002 series that came out. Skeletor was once Keldor who was injured when he fought the good guys and lost. Magically sealed off from the rest of the world of Eternia by a great mystic wall the reaches high into the heavens and encompasses the entire dark hemisphere of the world. And they mention this as supply routes have been cut off and its utter chaos everywhere. So like a good evil character Kronis tries his hand to usurper Skeletor.
 
   The story progression is good, its mainly Kronis showing Skeletor how he is able to go from outcast to general of an army to face off against snake mountain. the eventual fight that gets Kronis to lose his arm and jaw is just to pardon the expression "Jaw Dropping" *Cough*. Though the ending left anything to be desired but it really shows the pure arrogance of Skeletor and how it can get him into trouble.
 
   Overall the story gets a 4 out of 5. its a great character story and Robert does it again at telling a great character story especially for doing this as a one shot issue. mind you there is some plot holes and some questions being left unanswered but the events themselves are wonderfully told. and bravo for him to do this to a cartoon/toy staple series.

Arguable Art:

  

Carlo Pagulayan for some of you might point out his art in the Ultimates Fallout of the death of spider-man #3 and various cover and pencil work for the current Herc series. so he takes charge of the art in this situation where with the coloring help of Ron Riley, they bring life to the toy/cartoon franchise villains. 
 
   The character designs i have no real problem, but for some reason there seem something off about skeletor and I can't put my finger on it. but seeing Kronis before he gets his metal jaw and robotic arm seems amazing but why is he wearing a metal bikini is beyond me. small things like that also makes me question so things about this series itself.
 
   The colors are good though we are stuck in the dark hemisphere so most of the place is dark jungles or its barren waste lands riddled with large rocks or volcanic areas. so it makes it bland but the fights really take away from the back drop as your watching the forward evolution of kronis as he gathers his army to take down skeletor at the base of snake mountain. 
 
  Overall the art gets a 4 out of 5. the art is great. though some minor things that remind me of how there are some problems in that world and franchise (metal thongs...really?) but its care to attention that makes the world very interesting and really helps out the story in the end so Kudo's to Carlo and Ron for pulling off a job well done.

Unbuttoned Overalls:

       So overall the comic gets a 4 out of 5. a well balanced issue, its great, small things that would make you want to skip a page or two. and working in a franchise that most adults barely remember from their childhood. Robert Kirkman tried to do justice to the series and did a smashing job.
      
        This story is a good read, if you can find the single issue it is worth a read or even a buy. Even if you barely have heard of He-man its good to get back ground of some old favorites in terms of villains. The trade is worth it because you get the sketch art and the 3 other stories that exist for this Icons of Evil series. so in this instance I push for readers to find the trade of this as it would probably be the best buy you can get. An entire trade of Robert Kirkmans work on the Masters of the Universe villains (except Skeletor which is a shame). 
 
       So as a filler Ill just be a cranky old man and tell you all to go out and try your independents and be sure to floss and keep off my grass you damn kids. Ill see you all next time when I do reviews on here. Good Journey, Trodorne.