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Livewires Vol. 1: Clockwork Thugs, Yo
Hollowpoint Ninja. Gothic Lolita. Cornfed. Stem Cell. Social Butterfly. They're nanobuilt human form combat mecha, with smartware bodies specialized for covert ops and Artificially Intelligent minds programmed for suicidal loyalty. They're the superhuman products of a top-secret, quasi-governmental R&D program with a unique agenda: namely, to seek out and destroy other top-secret, quasi-governmental R&D programs. And in the ultra-tech underbelly of a Marvel Universe infested with mad super-geniuses, homebrewed WMDs, and bootlegged alien technologies, they have a lot of work to do...Collects Livewires #1-6.
144 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
1 person is currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Adam Warren
190 books131 followersAdam Warren (born 1967) is an American comic book writer and artist who is most famous for his original graphic novel Empowered, for adapting the characters known as Dirty Pair into an American comic book, and for being one of the first American commercial illustrators to be influenced by the general manga style.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
September 16, 2019
Adam Warren while often relying on Manga and cheesecake styles is surprisingly one of the more innovative writers I've seen in quite a while.
This book examines the Tech side of the Marvel Universe (and if I recall correctly, was part of an initiative that focused on the AI characters; i.e. Deathlok
This book definitely got away with a few pervy images, but I will say it definitely feels like a unique book in the grand scheme of things...
This book examines the Tech side of the Marvel Universe (and if I recall correctly, was part of an initiative that focused on the AI characters; i.e. Deathlok
This book definitely got away with a few pervy images, but I will say it definitely feels like a unique book in the grand scheme of things...
September 20, 2008
Adam Warren continues to investigate the tech part of the Marvel U, this time creating a team of robots (just don't call them that!) investigating rogue tech ops and, well, destroying them with as little loss of life as possible.
These robots are the next generation of Life Model Decoys--only instead of impersonating someone, they have the ability to form their own personalities, and do so. One is the size of a Nebraska lineman (Cornfed), one is a jailbait J-Pop with the strength of the Thing, another uses artificial pheromones to seduce her human prey, and so on.
They bounce around a few missions, explaining things (a bit too much) as they go to the newest robot of the team who finds the whole thing a bit unbelievable. The dialog is quirky and fun but the mechanic of doing it all in chatroom bubbles and with rather bad slang dulls this down a bit.
We build up to a final explosive mission against some rather familiar robots and all seems just about lost. But that's when our new robot gets into gear and it's time to show what they really can do. There's blasts and bombs and geek jokes, as we ride off into the sunset...maybe.
It's a fun enough romp but I just feel like the execution was lacking something. Maybe this was 12 issues worth of material crammed into six? That would have helped with the Basil Exposition problem, at least. In addition, Mays' art feels so cramped here in a small digest form (I know it's Manga-ish, Marvel but really, can we give that a rest?) that I had trouble following the action in places. I might have liked this a bit better in its original size. All in all, I liked it, but not as much as I'd hoped given the writer involved. (Library, 09/08)
Trebby's Take: Fun, but not required reading.
These robots are the next generation of Life Model Decoys--only instead of impersonating someone, they have the ability to form their own personalities, and do so. One is the size of a Nebraska lineman (Cornfed), one is a jailbait J-Pop with the strength of the Thing, another uses artificial pheromones to seduce her human prey, and so on.
They bounce around a few missions, explaining things (a bit too much) as they go to the newest robot of the team who finds the whole thing a bit unbelievable. The dialog is quirky and fun but the mechanic of doing it all in chatroom bubbles and with rather bad slang dulls this down a bit.
We build up to a final explosive mission against some rather familiar robots and all seems just about lost. But that's when our new robot gets into gear and it's time to show what they really can do. There's blasts and bombs and geek jokes, as we ride off into the sunset...maybe.
It's a fun enough romp but I just feel like the execution was lacking something. Maybe this was 12 issues worth of material crammed into six? That would have helped with the Basil Exposition problem, at least. In addition, Mays' art feels so cramped here in a small digest form (I know it's Manga-ish, Marvel but really, can we give that a rest?) that I had trouble following the action in places. I might have liked this a bit better in its original size. All in all, I liked it, but not as much as I'd hoped given the writer involved. (Library, 09/08)
Trebby's Take: Fun, but not required reading.
July 27, 2012
Not much to say except that this book made me UNCOMFORTABLE.
I don't usually ever feel that way with books--but golly, this book just CREEPED.ME.OUT!
It gets a star for the actual drawings--every character has a unique look but they're all way too attractive at times. ( I honestly think that they were put there purely for the reason of fan-service). But every character is detailed and well, everything shows what needs to be shown...but sometimes, it was just creepy with the way the androids were shown and just...ugh.
It's SUCH a dark book. Cannibalism, emotional detachment, violence...it just went too far for me. I could hardly understand their tech-talk, I didn't understand why all the humans from their base had to be killed including their creator, and just...for me...I was very confused and frightened while reading this. It's probably just me personally because apparently the people who read it and reviewed it liked it...but for me...it's a side of Marvel where they try to take on teens or something...but it has neither the light-heartedness or character ties of Runaways although we do have an attractive African-American, Gothic Asian, and bubbly blonde like in Runaways, and just...I want this book out of my memory before I get nightmares...
I don't usually ever feel that way with books--but golly, this book just CREEPED.ME.OUT!
It gets a star for the actual drawings--every character has a unique look but they're all way too attractive at times. ( I honestly think that they were put there purely for the reason of fan-service). But every character is detailed and well, everything shows what needs to be shown...but sometimes, it was just creepy with the way the androids were shown and just...ugh.
It's SUCH a dark book. Cannibalism, emotional detachment, violence...it just went too far for me. I could hardly understand their tech-talk, I didn't understand why all the humans from their base had to be killed including their creator, and just...for me...I was very confused and frightened while reading this. It's probably just me personally because apparently the people who read it and reviewed it liked it...but for me...it's a side of Marvel where they try to take on teens or something...but it has neither the light-heartedness or character ties of Runaways although we do have an attractive African-American, Gothic Asian, and bubbly blonde like in Runaways, and just...I want this book out of my memory before I get nightmares...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 19, 2009
Every once and a while, Marvel comics will put out a new line of comics geared towards reaching "non-traditional" comic audiences. They'll sell these new titles in traditional comic book stores, where only traditional comic audiences tend to go, and then they'll cancel the books when they don't sell well. Every time they do, there are some really fun titles that get produced, and Livewires definitely fits into that category.
It's especially odd that this was a series marketed to "new readers", though, because it's ver steeped in old Marvel; the main storyline deals with the Livewires team trying to take down an army of LMD (android) versions of Nick Fury, and one of the characters is sporting an AIM uniform on the cover of the volume. It's a mongrely sort of series, but light-hearted and fun enough that you don't really have to think about it.
One of the things that I really did like about this book is that it has some of the most fun character names that I've seen in a Marvel series in a long time:
Hollowpoint Ninja. Gothic Lolita. Cornfed. Stem Cell. Social Butterfly. Not the most descriptive names in terms of powers, but wonderful all-around.
It's especially odd that this was a series marketed to "new readers", though, because it's ver steeped in old Marvel; the main storyline deals with the Livewires team trying to take down an army of LMD (android) versions of Nick Fury, and one of the characters is sporting an AIM uniform on the cover of the volume. It's a mongrely sort of series, but light-hearted and fun enough that you don't really have to think about it.
One of the things that I really did like about this book is that it has some of the most fun character names that I've seen in a Marvel series in a long time:
Hollowpoint Ninja. Gothic Lolita. Cornfed. Stem Cell. Social Butterfly. Not the most descriptive names in terms of powers, but wonderful all-around.
January 4, 2016
I agree with most people that this was totally marketed to the wrong crowd. Although, many people say that it was marketed to older audiences, which is incorrect, it was marked to YA audiences. The execs must have though "kids love that anime crap" so they ended up binding it in a "manga-y" sized book to be placed with Runaways and Mary Jane. Shame...
Also, the art is such a tease. Adam Warren did the story and Layouts. Have you ever seen his layouts? They're really really detailed. So when I look at the art in this book, I see someone traced over his art and produced something less awesome. What bozo decided to not let Adam not do the art (aside from the occasional page here and there... I guess the artist on this book couldn't do action and heavy mecha as well and they decided to just ink over the layouts... And it looks great by the way!!)? Can anyone enlighten me on this?
Honestly, I'm not sure who this would be good for. As Adam Warren once said. "Superhero fans think his stuff is to anime-y and manga fans think it's too superhero-y." None the less, it's a really fun romp in the forgotten bowels of the Marvel Universe (including old-school Nick Fury!).
Also, the art is such a tease. Adam Warren did the story and Layouts. Have you ever seen his layouts? They're really really detailed. So when I look at the art in this book, I see someone traced over his art and produced something less awesome. What bozo decided to not let Adam not do the art (aside from the occasional page here and there... I guess the artist on this book couldn't do action and heavy mecha as well and they decided to just ink over the layouts... And it looks great by the way!!)? Can anyone enlighten me on this?
Honestly, I'm not sure who this would be good for. As Adam Warren once said. "Superhero fans think his stuff is to anime-y and manga fans think it's too superhero-y." None the less, it's a really fun romp in the forgotten bowels of the Marvel Universe (including old-school Nick Fury!).
January 21, 2015
This was my first comic book in ages. I bought it at a second hand shop for 1 euro and I'm so glad I did. Every character is very unique and I honestly loved every one of them. The drawing style is amazing and there are no white edges or panel borders, which makes it really luxurious.
There is only one volume and the story left a lot of unanswered questions but I didn't think the story went by too quickly or too slow. This is one action packed little book. Wish there was more though.
There is only one volume and the story left a lot of unanswered questions but I didn't think the story went by too quickly or too slow. This is one action packed little book. Wish there was more though.
January 17, 2016
I really loved the obvious anime and manga influence here, and the grim 'n gritty concepts, but the finale really ruined a lot of what came beforehand. It all felt a bit pointless. I did love some of the twists and ideas behind it, though, and the diverse cast was a lot of fun -- but other comics from the same line, like RUNAWAYS, feel a lot stronger. I'd still love to see sequel volumes, I think the story needed more time to find its footing.
March 15, 2008
An interesting graphic novel about robot like teenagers with superhuman powers that are not really there to save the world, but to attack other secret government projects. Lots of funny parts to it and a bit strange with great graphics. I just love full color comics.
December 16, 2008
Yet another potentially good series that Marvel axed. Though it could have just been ahead of its time. Personally I hope they make a comeback, between Civil War and Secret Invasion, Marvel is certainly giving an opportunity for any team to do so.
December 16, 2009
The initial whiz bang of a team of often-demolished robots rooted but not tied down by Marvel continuity loses steam after the first few issues. The build up to the final fight isn't as gripping as it should be, and the steady destruction to the robots severs the emotional connection.
Read
June 8, 2013A fantastic book! Adam Warren is doing really unique stuff in the comic book universe, fusing Manga influence with hip-hop dialog to create something genuinely unique. This story is at once energetic and tragic, with a great hook and solid characters. Check this out!
December 8, 2009
Very interesting!
September 16, 2011
I would KILL for a part two of this. Fun, interesting exploration of the Marvel Universe from a very cyberpunk perspective.
May 31, 2014
Wha????? I'm very confused. Interested, but confused. Only another book can solve this problem.
June 11, 2014
Classic Adam Warren. If you liked his work in Gen 13 you'll probably like this. Not as outright comedic as some of his stuff, like Empowered, but fun.
Want to read
May 9, 2015Historieta publicada originalmente bajo el sello Marvel Next.
December 3, 2007
Maybe the most energetic thing i've ever red in my whole life.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews