Independent Propaganda

Don Pendleton’s THE EXECUTIONER #1 from IDW

Writer: Doug Wojtowicz

Artist:  SL Gallant

Inker/Colorist:  Luis Antonio Delgado

Letterer:  Chris Mowry

Cover Artist:  Rebecca A. Wrigley

Editor: Tom Waltz

The first issue hits store shelves in April 2008.  The Diamond Order Code is FEB083807.

All I have to say is that this really brings back memories. I used to pick up the old paperbacks from a local paperback reseller. This is a good, solid action hero. If you like any kind of Punisher comics or action movies with bravado and balls, this comic is for you. Just remember that this guy came first…he is the mold.

This issue particularly lends an air of almost incredulous wonderings as to the origin and abilities of Mack Bolan, the Executioner. All we know so far is that he is at war with criminals. His war is to take out the real criminals, the bosses who run it all.

Bolan does his job very well. And that’s what is cool about this comic incarnation of the character. Cool and collected, he infiltrates the hideout and then dismantles it systematically in a tactical firefight. Brilliant action sequences really jump off the page.

This comic moves at a great pace with fantastic art inside. I really like Gallant’s take on the characters and how the action moves. The way the writer Wojtowicz approaches the character is well in step with the novels themselves. There is a bravado here for the best in action characters, but there is also the ultmate in strategy and planning that makes this character so much better than just a machine gun wielding hero. He’s also got that Kaiser Soze mysticism from The Usual Suspects.

I know that I will be following the exploits of Mack Bolan from IDW. This and the character ROGUE ANGEL, another property of Gold Eagle, appear to be in loving hands that care about these characters.