CAPTAIN GRAVITY AND THE POWER OF THE VRIL #3 REVIEW

Reviewer: Andrea Speed andy@comixtreme.com Quick Rating: Very Good

Josh discovers exactly what the Nazis are after, but is it too late?

Writer: Joshua Dysart Pencils: Sal Velluto Inks: Bob Almond Colors: Mike Garcia Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft's Albert Deschesne Cover Art: Velluto & Garcia Publisher: Penny Farthing Press

Review: This pulp serial really kicks into high gear this issue, as we discover exactly what the Nazis after, and what they already have. This is such a well written, nicely paced series that the fantastic elements feel right at home; nothing is beyond the realm of possibility. Which was certainly true in the old serials this is a homage to, and this series has, so far, captured that energy perfectly. It’s like Raiders of the Lost Ark, but with a superhero as the male lead.

After a brief forward to remind us that this story is actually a flashback, we get back to the peril Joshua found himself in at the end of the last issue. Although it resolves itself, it doesn’t do so in a good way for Josh. It seems the Nazis have found allies of a sort in the mysterious “Guardians of Thule”, and they have power like Josh’s, only they can use it better, to a far more advance degree. He questions Jack, learning some crucial information about the power of Vril, and his own powers, which are, to some degree, a mystery to him. In the meantime, back in Berlin, Chase learns the Guardians are not exactly Human, and while Josh is on her trail, she’s just bait for a trap. As always, there are also little humorous bits at the end of the issue, including an ad for the next Captain Gravity “movie”, a gossip column concerning Chase’s disappearance, and, always my favorite, parody ads based on the kind you used to find in old comic books (there’s money in arc welding? Who knew?) - but what I love about the ads is the disclaimer on the bottom of the page, stating they’re parodies. Frankly, if you couldn’t tell by reading them, you deserve to be fooled.

The art by Velluto and Almond continues to be terrific, a classic style that isn’t old fashioned, with clear lines and lots of period appropriate detailing, whether the scenes are in America, Egypt, or Berlin. It helps ground the more fantastic aspects of the story, so when we get our first glimpse of a Guardian without his helmet on, it doesn’t seem silly at all, but perfectly sensible in the context of all that has come before. The action scenes are done well, especially the sequence where Josh is buried alive and has to figure a way out. My only complaint is that Garcia’s colors seem somewhat muted this issue, like there’s a thin scrim of dust between the page and the colors themselves. While that works in the desert sequences, it seems out of place elsewhere, especially considering how good his colors usually are. But it’s a minor complaint, and some people may not even notice.

This continues to be a fun, retro flavored series, that’s all about being fun. Remember when comics used to be fun? The creators of this series have, so that’s good news for us.

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