Comics
Review: ‘The Legend of Luther Strode’ # 5
Justin Jordan has created a massive, insane, and brutally fun character in Luther Strode. No other comic character is ripping men in half, punching through faces, or pushing bullets out of their muscles, at least not that I know of. The Legend of Luther Strode is fantastic, engaging, and a ton of fun. Yet, up until now, the story has been sparse and the panels have been packed with action. This month, things get a little more fleshed out before the big finale.
WRITTEN BY: Justin Jordan
ART BY: Tradd Moore
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $3.50
RELEASE: May 15th, 2013
“The Legend of Luther Strode” has been a fantastic addition to Jordan’s character. The conflict with Binder shows that Strode isn’t the only one with magnificent powers in the world. He has met a match much like his previous foe the Librarian. Yet, Binder just won’t stay down.
Then we have Jack the Ripper, last seen about to murder Strode’s heartthrob Petra. Yet, Petra evades Jack due to a nicely timed explosion back at the Strode and Binder fight. Here we finally reveal Strode’s love for Petra, and the moment is fantastic. We see Strode in a vulnerable state for the first time in the series while he’s almost on the verge of death.
Of course Strode springs back to life and there is a moment unlike anything else so far in this book, in that it is a huge emotional beat. This beat allows time for the conflict to escalate, and going into the finale, we’re bound to have a bloodbath. Which is good news, because I’m fairly sure that sadistic bloodbath orgies of death are Justin Jordan’s specialty.
Tradd Moore’s art is spectacular throughout. The characters feel tall, and always in motion. His attention to detail while drawing the snakelike Jack is just unreal. Jack spirals through the pages with such intensity. Moore’s art is impeccable, and manages to handle all of the action in the script with the utmost clarity. Throughout the series Moore’s mastery of action scenes is very apparent. Eleven panels in a page with Binder just make my head explode with awesome. His wonderful mastery of maiming the human body is on full display here, and really allows this book to have fun.
The Legend of Luther Strode has now gone full tilt into a strange new world. Yet, the action never lets up and the emotional beats of the issue are much needed. Visually the issue is a delight, and the end of the issue is sure to excite fans for the finale. I have enjoyed the ride, and while this issue may not match the intensity of something like issue #2, the impeding conflict in issue #6 will surely blow the roof off the whole thing. This probably wasn’t Strode’s finest month, but the added depth is greatly appreciated here rather than the final chapter.
3.5/5 Skulls
Reviewed by – Jiumbus_Christ
The supernatural world of Korean folk horror movie Exhuma grows larger with the arrival of prequel spinoff webtoon Maengjong this weekend, Variety reports today.
Naver Webtoon debuts Maengjong on May 30.
The series hails from Haemuri (Olgami) and will trace the high school origins of how shaman duo Hwarim and Bonggil, played by Kim Go-eun and Lee Do-hyun in the 2024 film, came together to face occultish threats.
The story is set to begin when “Hwarim, who has been concealing her identity following a childhood encounter with a snake spirit called Jin, crosses paths with Bonggil at their school.”
Variety notes that Exhuma director Jang Jae-hyun participated in the project’s early concept stage.
“We are presenting ‘Maengjong,’ a new series capturing the appeal of the horror-occult genre, ahead of the full summer season,” said Lee Jeong-geun, Naver Webtoon’s Korea webtoon content leader. “With the high school story of Hwarim and Bonggil, who left a strong impression in the film ‘Exhuma,’ enhanced by Haemuri’s characteristic tense direction, we expect it will be a welcome work for genre fans.”
“It is meaningful that the spin-off story of ‘Exhuma,’ loved by many audiences, expands by meeting the new grammar of webtoon,” said Lee Hyeon-jeong, managing director of the film business division at Showbox, which distributed the film. “We hope it will be a fresh experience for both film fans and webtoon readers.”
Exhuma was a breakout hit in 2024, becoming the first Korean occult film to surpass 10 million ticket buyers and the country’s highest-grossing film of the year. I wrote in my review that “the intricately woven Exhuma delivers one of the year’s biggest surprises in horror so far.”
The bond between Hwarim and Bonggil was one of the film’s highlights, making this prequel webtoon a must for fans.
You must be logged in to post a comment.