DEATHLOK #6

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It's been a little while since I have made a post for this site. For anyone secretly following this blog, I apologize. However, I finally have had some time to read another comic book. It's another Deathlok, however, not the same series of Deathlok that I have reviewed earlier. However, for background on the character, please check out my previous blog about DEATHLOK 1.

That being said, DEATHLOK #6 is written by Gregory Wright and illustrated by Denys Cowan for Marvel Comics and released in December of 1991. I don't have the previous issues for this one, but I don't think they are needed to understand the story as this is the first issue of a miniseries. We start the story as Deathlok secretly checks in on his son, Nick, who is eight years old. Unable to allow himself to be seen by Nick, he is watching him as he is on the playground at school. Suddenly, a vehicle approaches and starts blasting away at the school yard with gunfire, springing Deathlok into action. He neutralizes the situation, completely demolishing the car and the shooters end up escaping.

Later we find that the Punisher is also involved as he is investigating the shooters in a "war" on drugs. We also find that Silvermane (former head of HYDRA, currently believed deceased) is the one who ordered the hit on the school. We also discover that Nick and his friend are currently involved in the drug trafficking. During what the kids think is a pick-up, Silvermane kidnaps them. Deathlok takes chase and discovers that Silvermane is now a cyborg just like Deathlok, only not as powerful. Punisher, who is a shoot first ask questions later type of guy enters the fight and comes out guns blazing. Deathlok, trying to protect his son from stray bullets begins doing battle with Punisher. Meanwhile, Silvermane escapes on a subway car and the comic book ends on a cliff hanger "To Be Continued..."

First off, I like the look of this book. Cowan's drawing is phenomenal. The whole issue is eye-catching and full of action. He is also able to convey emotion quite well, even on a cyborg's face. As far as the writing is concerned, I thought it was quite good. I always like the banter between Deathlok's human brain (Michael Collins) and the cyborg's on-board computer. Also the whole story line of Michael Collins, who is a pacifist, and being trapped in a machine created to produce death, the whole time, not being able to be a part of his family who are too afraid of what he's become to believe that his is inside the cyborg.

This issue is entitled "Similar Machines," which can be taken in two ways. Deathlok and Silvermane are both cyborgs, one pursuing a peaceful world the other producing evil. Meanwhile Deathlok and Punisher are both engaged in a war against the drug dealers that are corrupting and poisoning the youth, however one refuses to cause the death of anyone (Deathlok's "No Killing Parameter") while Punisher is willing to play judge, jury and executioner with those whom he deems an enemy in his "War." With DEATHLOK #6, I think that I'm going to have to give a rating of four out of five stars.