Kevin Smith's Green Hornet #1

Green Hornet #1 Comic Book Review

Dynamite, $3.99
Script:
Kevin Smith
Breakdowns: Phil Hester
Pencils: Jonathan Lau
Colours: Ivan Nunes

Seth Rogan’s unlikely adaptation of radio superhero the Green Hornet is scheduled for December this year, and Dynamite are definitely making the most of the licence, with a prequel series, a Kato spin-off, a futuristic take on the masked vigilante, and this miniseries based on Kevin Smith’s ill-fated project all hitting the shelves over the next few months.

Kevin Smith's Green Hornet #1

Kevin Smith's Green Hornet #1

Given the hype that once surrounded Smith’s Hornet project, a series such as this is potentially a lose/lose situation for both fans of the Golden Age hero and the creators involved. If it’s terrible, then the hype and rumour we endured circa 2004 was for nothing; and if the series is fantastic, then comic readers can silently lament the great superhero movie that never was.

Anyway, foreboding aside, this is shaping up to be a solid enough series. But taking into account the book’s movie origins it’s also woefully predictable, commencing with a flashback that announces the jade vigilante’s retirement, and later introducing Britt Reid’s arrogant dickwad of a son, who’ll presumably inherit the mantle.

I’m surprised that the cover’s depiction of a female Kato has not caused more of a stir – but then, does the Green Hornet have that large or passionate a fan base? I feel that Dynamite might have a tough time convincing the comic community that the Hornet is a hero worth investing in; after all, this is a character best remembered for briefly having Bruce Lee as a sidekick.

Thankfully, Jonathan Lau’s assured pencils (from breakdowns by Phil Hester), and Ivan Nunes’ wonderful colour work ensure that this series is a feast for the eyes, if not the brain. Their lavish visuals just about make Green Hornet #1 a worthwhile purchase for those curious about the character or Smith’s script.

7/10

Carl Doherty has written about movies, video games, comic books and literature for almost a decade, forging ill-informed critiques for numerous websites, blogs and publications that no one has ever heard of. His debut novel, the epic fantasy comedy Welcome to The Fold, is available now on Kindle here (UK) and here (US).

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