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Published by: Image Comics
Released on: Feb 26, 2014
Writer: Jonathan Ross
Artist: Ian Churchill
Cover: Ian Churchill
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Griffin Franks is an actor in a successful crap-fest of a film called “Revenge!†as The Revenger. His re-found celebrity as the result of renewing the 1970s exploitation series is something he takes with a certain zeal. After the premiere of the movie, he and his girl go to a party at the home of producer Eee Zee Johnson, only to learn his next movie will introduce The Revenger's son, no doubt to replace Franks in any future Revenger movies. This does not sit well with the aging action star, in his 70s, who tries to stay looking young with plastic surgery and hair dye, but that just isn't cutting it.
His young, blonde, trophy, porno actress wife by the name of Candy convinces him to head for Mexico for a radical new treatment that can shave 10 to 15 years off his appearance. Not wanting to be replaced by a younger guy, he agrees to it, but he'll quickly wish he hadn't. Once the procedure gets under way, Griffin Franks gets an earful from Candy, who lets him know she's not very happy in her marriage to him. A grisly event occurs that leaves Franks with a bitter taste in his mouth and one that helps him make a decision that meshes his reality with the fiction of his movies.
A great beginning to a tale that promises to be bloody, sex-filled, and just plain nasty. This is an ultra-violent story with near hardcore sex scenes and is clearly for the grown-ups, so the kids should dig it. Griffin Franks' character is quickly painted as one who has a huge ego and as a result has alienated himself from four wives and at least one daughter. He's worked to make amends in some departments and to get his career back to full force, but unfortunately for him he left a few open ends.
Jonathan Ross' introduction issue absolutely leaves the reader wanting more. His script jumps around a bit from current moments to back a few years, but never gets confusing at all. His character of Griffin Franks as a washed-up action star on the comeback road is well-written and has the makings for a very memorable one. The art chores are handled by Ian Churchill (co-colored by Arif Prianto) and his work is excellent, full of detail, and incredibly appealing to the eye. The story is full of the wet, red stuff and is delightfully gory, as well as vibrantly colored. Even the borders are colored, and they help with atmosphere, which totally enhances the overall picture. Some extras at the end of the comic include an IMDB entry for Griffin Franks (clever) and some production sketches, as well as a great movie poster for Revenge...â€The return of The Reveger! He will f**k you up.†This is a great book, and highly recommended.
