RoboCop: Dead or Alive Vol. 1

Robocop: Dead or Alive #1

by Joshua Williamson, Carlos Magno (Illustrator), Marissa Louise (Illustrator)

What's to Love: If you're like us, the classic 1987 film holds a special place in your fan heart. This collection is the hard-bitten world of RoboCop we all grew up on! If you've ever wondered what happens to RoboCop and his partner, Anne Lewis, after the first film, wonder no more.What It Is: Months after the events of the original classic film, John Killian, a criminal from Old Detroit's mysterious past, returns to a city ablaze. As RoboCop, Anne Lewis, and the police department wage war on anarchic streets, tension between the people and "their protectors" is at an all-time high. When the mayor launches an initiative to remove the people's right to bear arms, Killian will lead the citizens in an uprising that tears down the very foundation of OCP. Collects issues #1-4."This may be one of the most seamless and successful continuations of a franchise I've ever seen. The geniuses behind this book have managed to recreate the exquisite experience of watching RoboCop for the first time. I sincerely hope it never ends." 5/5 - Bleeding Cool

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics

112 pages, Paperback

First published July 7, 2015

Reviews

[Jim Ef · Rating 3 out of 5]

6.1/10
I really like the first Robocop movie, i mean how could you not, and i think this book manages to capture a similar tone. It does feel like it belongs to that same universe.
A big reason this works is the art. It's gritty, it shows all the ugly things but not in an ugly way.

The story has some issues. The concept is good, and it could work very well even with the same premise. The villain is a strong opponent to for Robocop, and he feels like he is a big threat. Unfortunately there are some plot holes and the story often jumbs from one point to another, leaving you to fill the gaps. I don't know if initially, this was supposed to be a longer run and they have to cram everything in 12 issues.

Not a bad read, with wasted potential.
I'm not sure if i will actually read the reast 2 volumes.

[James DeSantis · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was fine. I'm not going to make a long review out of it. I like Joshua Williamson for the most part, he does some really solid work, this was just afterthought for me though. Basically Robocop and the police are trying to rid the guns off the streets of Detroit. In doing so someone finds this as a chance to start a war.

Nothing really interesting happens. It feels like Robocop but it doesn't have the heart of it (if that make sense) it's also very short, though that might be a good thing. A 2.5 out of 5.

[47Time · Rating 2 out of 5]

Several things in this story make no sense or are done off-screen. It tries to be edgy and modern, but it just ignores common sense. Sure, it could have some twists in the future which add some logic to currents events, but at the end of the first volume everything is up in the air. Robocop and Lewis are being pushed around like pawns, while former convicts do as they please. At least it's a fast read.

Former convicted felon Killian is brought in by the Detroit mayor to institute a law to ban guns not registered by OCP in the city. Which makes no sense, as he was convicted of selling guns illegally. Unless he has something on the mayor. Lewis and Robocop are put in charge of implementing the new law. Which also makes little sense, but then again they're the main characters, so they gotta do something. The law causes a stir in the city and Killian intends to turn it into a war. Meanwhile Lewis is studying for a detective's exam and is worried about telling Murphy that they might be parting ways. I couldn't feel any emotion for this parting of ways, though the author does try to show it.

Instead of supporting the new law, Killian takes advantage of the instability to cause more chaos by inciting the populace against the police. He has an ulterior motive - to sell the confiscated guns back to the city and to other cities as well. Pretty original, since he got convicted for it 20 years before. Robocop and Lewis find their stash of guns and confiscate them. Again. The city rises in open revolt against the police, but Robocop stops that too. Pretty boring.

Strings are pulled to make Lewis detective, though she failed the test. This basically takes her out of the way for the guns thing. And Robocop must give up his weapon. Boom! What a twist!

Killian's plans hit a snag with the guns, but are on the right path with tech they steal from OCP to build robots of their own. This is done off-screen, so we can safely call this a deus ex machina. Boy, I just love me some 'o those. No, seriously, it's crap.

[Robert · Rating 2 out of 5]

** Review is for all three volumes read in a row

It hits all the beats of the film, but that mimicry is the extent of it's enjoyability. Nothing new is brought to the table, and RC talks way WAY to much.

[Roybot · Rating 2 out of 5]

Set between the first and second movies, this book finds Murphy and Lewis taking on the gun control debate. Killian, a smuggler who was serving time when Robocop showed up in old Detroit, returns to the city to find that times have changed. After reuniting with his former colleagues in crime, he hatches a plan to bring the city to its knees (and, of course, make a pretty penny in the process). Instead of attempting to take Robocop head on, he comes up with a devious plot to use the cyborg cop to further his own agenda.

I *love* Robocop. I think the film is a brilliant example of subversive satire that deftly mocks the decadent culture of 80s excess and skewers viewer expectation. The original Robocop is pretty much the pinnacle of socially satirical sci-fi as far as I'm concerned.

So, you can imagine how much it pains me to see how much this book seems to have completely missed the point.

The plot hinges on a weird gun control initiative in which gun owners must register their weapons with both the government and OCP, except that, instead of registering their weapons, everyone just throws their guns into crates and lets the police cart them away? Meanwhile, a convicted felon is apparently selected as the public spokesperson for the initiative but spends the whole time bad-mouthing it, which is weird.

The whole thing is a convoluted mess.

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

Decent art but this book just isn't for me. I didn't love the movie but hoped this could exceed it. It was in line with the movie so I know some will really enjoy it. I thought the overall plot was lame and there were plot holes aplenty. Robocop isn't a character that you can really get behind and root for. Overall, unpleasant read that doesn't sit well with me.

[Clint the Cool Guy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really Enjoyed It

This series is so good! I'm happy and surprised to see how good it is. The art is amazing and the story is hardcore like the original movie. It does not disappoint! Highly recommended!

[Mhorg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bravo!

Way better than any of the terrible sequels or the lame remake. This really captures the feeling of the first Robocop movie.

[NerdyReader · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good comic! Makes you feel like you're watching the movies and the interior art is pretty great imo. Very detailed and a fun read!

[Erik Dreiling · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not too bad...

Other than a throwaway line referencing Clarence Boddicker, this story did not feel like a sequel to the original
RoboCop. The artwork was good.

[Donavon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Main complaint is how Robocop here is far removed from the mostly silent symbol of justice from films, tv serieses, and even cartoons. Here he is chatty and really in touch with his feelings.

[Gabriel · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5/5

[Sam Nicholson · Rating 4 out of 5]

8/10

[Abu · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's okay far from perfect, and most of the time it feels like repeated storylines from the past issues.

[Steven Shinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art didn’t feel that messy. Some interesting stuff here, though I’m not sure how much of it will stick.

[Ian Churchill · Rating 1 out of 5]

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I only read two individual comics rather than this trade edition.

The visual style and dialogue is mostly in keeping with the original film, that's good. Sadly it seems to lack the satire of the film. Having Murphy object to confiscating firearms because it goes against his perception of upholding the law didn't fit in right at all. The message is driven home that it's a bigger crime for people to not have a firearm to defend themselves. It's embarrassing to read and not presented as satire at all.

I'll stick to the original and best, Dredd.

[Lars · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid Robocop story, with good action, a fairly nefarious villain, and some not-that-interesting side plotting between Robocop and his partner. I wouldn't pay for this, but it wasn't a bad read.

[Paxton Holley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story follows the first movie. Pretty good Robocop story. I enjoyed it.