BECSTAR PREVIEW
If there’s one thing for certain, when you have lived the life of a mercenary for any span of time, it is difficult to just walk away. Inevitably, someone you have dealt with in the past will return to cause trouble. Sometimes, LOTS of somebodies. That is apparently written somewhere in the mercenary handbook. And events can transpire even if you happen to wield the “Luck Dagger.” Such is the life of BECSTAR, the former member of the Mercenary group known as OPHIUHUS.
These days, she is spending her time gambling, drinking, and at times…fighting. EVERYONE needs a hobby is BECSTAR’S feelings on the matter. This is much to the chagrin of her current first mate of the good ship Rectin-08, Sally Soolin. Part-time babysitter is more like it. Just once, Sally would like to be able to leave an establishment on the their own terms as opposed to being escorted out…or thrown out. But what can Sally expect, BECSTAR was a mercenary, not Miss Congeniality.
Besides they have bigger problems than being persona non grata at various casinos. One of BECSTAR’S old partners, turned adversary, Mordecai is once again after her. Or to be more specific, after the various ancient temple artifacts the former OPHIUHUS members had claimed for themselves from a former heist. This includes BECSTAR’s aforementioned Luck Dagger and another item that has found its way back into BECSTAR’s orbit, The Clairvoyance Rod.
The Rod had been the artifact that her former team member Turlough had claimed. Unfortunately, he had run in to a stretch of bad luck of the permanent kind. But before then, he sent the Rod along with his young protege Paprika. Now BECSTAR, Sally and Paprika were all tied up into a situation that none of them wanted to be in. And rest assured, Mordecai is not going stop until he gets what he wants…unless BECSTAR and friends can stop him. Welcome to the World of MadCave’s BECSTAR!
Thoughts
As I read this 1st issue of BECSTAR, the first thought I had was number one, the art was very unique and quite cyber punky…(is that even a word?). Doesn’t matter, because I like it. It’s always the great thing about comics. There are so many ways to draw them, write them, color them that don’t always fit in the normal cookie cutter mold. BECSTAR is such a book.
Vitriol, Sass, and a Sailor’s Tongue
It also came as no surprise after reading it that writer Joe Corallo had written such “cyber punk” books of his own before, including the four issue Electronic. His comfort in the genre is evident as is his mastery of his main character. BECSTAR is full of vitriol, sass, and a sailor’s tongue all wrapped in a diminutive package of tough. (You have to be tough when you fight with a nose ring. Just asking for someone to yank it out).
Because of that, she needed a counterpart that wouldn’t wilt under BECSTAR’s invective. That where Sally Soolin comes in. She is not afraid to tell BECSTAR what she thinks, even if she thinks she’s being an ass. You go, Sally! Because this is the first issue, there remains some development of all the players, especially Paprika and the main “villain” Mordecai, but it’s a great start!
A Tolkienesque Nod
Oh, and before I move on to the art, nice nod to Tolkien with character’s reactions to the Clairvoyance Rod. “No! You want the forbidden knowledge all to yourself. Well, I won’t let you partake in it!” All that was missing was “My Precious.”
Colangeli’s Art
I had mentioned the art and it’s unique look. After looking at artist Lorenzo Colangeli‘s previous work, I see why they chose him for this title. His character design, unique panel arrangement, and energetic character movements were made for this book. As were the diverse “camera” angles and the color pallet choice. Looking forward to seeing Corallo and Colangeli build on this very strong start.
If all this sounds intriguing, it is! MadCave’s BECSTAR will be available for pre-order on February 24, 2021 and will be released May 5, 2021. Well guess what? We have reached that moment. Becstar Issue 1 dropped today. No excuses now. Check it out where great comics are sold.🖖🏻
Senior Writer at GeekVibesNation – I am a 50 something child of the 70’s who admits to being a Star Trek/Star Wars/Comic Book junkie who once dove head first over a cliff (Ok, it was a small hill) to try to rescue his Fantastic Four comic from a watery grave. I am married to a lovely woman who is as crazy as I am and the proud parent of a 18 year old boy with autism. My wife and son are my real heroes.
