Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews

Fury MAX #9Fury MAX #9
MAX (Marvel Comics)
Ennis, Parlov & Loughridge

Nick Fury and Frank Castle in Vietnam together, fighting out of a prison while on an assassination mission. This book is every bit as good as the summary suggests. The book has been a slow build for a number of issues, but this issue ramps up the action as we get great moments from both of the lead characters. The book really punctuates how both characters become more disillusioned and loners down the road. This is an excellent read.

As is the case with the MAX universe, all continuity is wiped clean and the characters can pretty much do whatever they want. Castle is a specialty guy in Vietnam and Fury enlists his help as a sharp shooter to kill off a senior ranking officer in North Vietnam's army. This book begins with their prison break and their way of solving the problem.

The book's strengths are Castle and Fury's coolness and their cruelty. They appear to be twins in their thought process but have one key difference that this book hints at. Castle wants the mission completed whereas Fury wants the mission completed but knowing it was for the right reasons. The book is a marvel to read when Fury and Castle plow through the opposition on their way to achieving what they set out to do.

The team work and the precision at which the pair make their way through the camp is so well orchestrated. I realize Ennis is very strong when it comes to war comic books but this is something different entirely. He doesn't overwhelm the story with explanations and strategy. He simply lets visuals tell the tale of how two soldiers can work the mission. It's beautiful.

Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle ReviewsParlov sticks with mostly wide-screen panels in the book mixed in with close-ups and it works very well. While Castle and Fury look a lot alike making it difficult to determine the action it works well because the pair are so alike in their mindsets. The book's art has a simplistic style to it but the key moments at the story's climax are breathtaking. It's a great artistic book.

Fury MAX may not be the greatest of Garth Ennis books but it sure is fun to see him play with these characters in new ways. This book has had slow moments but it really hits its stride in this issue. I enjoyed this book tremendously.

4 out of 5 Geek Goggles