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Jawbreakers #2
Jawbreakers: G0d-K1ng
The Jawbreakers are back! This series features the conclusion of the story begun in Jawbreakers Lost Souls, and also includes the stories "Xaxi: Respawn" and the origin of Devil Dog, as well as a preview of the upcoming "Desolation Wave".
- GenresComicsGraphic Novels
96 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
January 17, 2020
As noted in my review for Jawbreakers – Lost Souls, or actually, IRON SIGHTS, there is a wide gulf between criticism and creation. I think it's fair to say that Meyer has successfully closed that gap with this production.
The story is still pretty breakneck, but it's given enough time to breathe so that you can follow along with it. I was confused in parts (but if you've read any of my other comic book reviews, you know that's not uncommon). I still don't know much about the various powers of the Jawbreakers, but I do sort of know their characters, which is far more important.
Anyway, the G0D-K1ng story wraps up here in a satisfying fashion. The short "Xaxi Respawn" is genuinely terrific. And the Devil Dog story is, much like the main story, very revealing of the character. I don't even know if Devil Dog has powers or if he's sort of a Black Widow type. (I think the best description of Black Widow is that she has "deputy county sheriff powers".)
I guess some folks objected to the "Desolation Wave" teaser: A nice setup for an intriguing space opera story which admittedly doesn't quite dovetail with the classic super-buffed "A-Team" style action in the rest of the book but, hey, I used to read "Green Lantern" and those would often be basic crime drama bookended with space opera, so it didn't bug me. Looking forward to that one being complete.
But more than just a vehicle for stories, the production value of this book is top-notch. It's meant to make you happy just to hold it in your hands and thumb through it, and it absolutely succeeds there. The line art is perfect for the story and the coloring is breathtaking. If you flip the book over and hold it open on a random page at arm's length, the result will be visually pleasing. Meyer's mantra is that comics are a visual medium and he puts his money where his mouth is. There's not a single panel here that's phoned in.
Of course, none of these crowdfunded comics authors have the luxury of phoning anything in. They can't give you weenie Batman or healthy-at-any-size-Thor. Their livelihood depends on your enjoyment, and to my eye they're producing the most amazing books that field has seen in decades.
The story is still pretty breakneck, but it's given enough time to breathe so that you can follow along with it. I was confused in parts (but if you've read any of my other comic book reviews, you know that's not uncommon). I still don't know much about the various powers of the Jawbreakers, but I do sort of know their characters, which is far more important.
Anyway, the G0D-K1ng story wraps up here in a satisfying fashion. The short "Xaxi Respawn" is genuinely terrific. And the Devil Dog story is, much like the main story, very revealing of the character. I don't even know if Devil Dog has powers or if he's sort of a Black Widow type. (I think the best description of Black Widow is that she has "deputy county sheriff powers".)
I guess some folks objected to the "Desolation Wave" teaser: A nice setup for an intriguing space opera story which admittedly doesn't quite dovetail with the classic super-buffed "A-Team" style action in the rest of the book but, hey, I used to read "Green Lantern" and those would often be basic crime drama bookended with space opera, so it didn't bug me. Looking forward to that one being complete.
But more than just a vehicle for stories, the production value of this book is top-notch. It's meant to make you happy just to hold it in your hands and thumb through it, and it absolutely succeeds there. The line art is perfect for the story and the coloring is breathtaking. If you flip the book over and hold it open on a random page at arm's length, the result will be visually pleasing. Meyer's mantra is that comics are a visual medium and he puts his money where his mouth is. There's not a single panel here that's phoned in.
Of course, none of these crowdfunded comics authors have the luxury of phoning anything in. They can't give you weenie Batman or healthy-at-any-size-Thor. Their livelihood depends on your enjoyment, and to my eye they're producing the most amazing books that field has seen in decades.
January 3, 2020
Better story than Lost Souls and fantastic art. Highly recommend
February 14, 2022
Jawbreakers: G0D-K1NG is a weird one. Its the concluding part of the Jawbreakers story that was given away for free in a rough draft, that is also the end of the Jawbreakers team and that Jawbreakers: Lost Souls, which came out before this, is a prequel. So the whole tale of the Jawbreakers is a bit of a muddle.
I follow the author’s YouTube channel and read the free issue when he released it, mainly so he could get free criticism about it I think. I thought the idea and story was interesting and I backed Jawbreakers – Lost Souls which I enjoyed more than I thought I would about a giant inter-dimensional ape filled with gold and weapons (just go with it). So was this a good conclusion to the Jawbreakers story that hasn’t even started?
The story picks up straight after the events of the free issue released. The Jawbreakers are a mercenary team with a variety of superpowers. Fallen out of favour with the US government and usurped by more powerful superheroes, they now do mercenary work for more shady groups. After a job in Africa, they are approached by a mysterious woman with a impossible job. The superheroes that replaced the likes of the Jawbreakers are dead or missing. Now, an individual calling himself the GodKing is in total control of New York, and the Jawbreakers have been asked to eliminate him. But killing an almost omnipotent force means that this is the Jawbreakers final mission (until the author jump starts the team again pulling comic book style resurrections now that he's seen how popular it is after his first story is basically their end).
I've read a few books by Meyer now, and while none are bad, there is a mix of good and ones that seen to be missing that killer edge. I feel that G0D-K1NG is one that seems to be missing something. I think not including the beginning of this book was a misstep, it’s like being thrown in half way through. I feel that people who haven’t read that early draft might be lost. The 'first’ issue if you like is in a ‘remastered’ form in the Lost Souls book, but if you haven't read that either you wouldn’t be in any better position.
In terms of characters though, they wouldn't be that far behind. Its a bit odd that the first story of the Jawbreakers is also technically their last, that you don't really get a good grasp of the characters. You get a kind of basic characterisation, but I always felt like I was missing like the four preceding issues as they mentioned history and missions they'd gone on, but as those issues didn't exist it just felt a bit weird. The characters are basically what if the Expendables had superpowers, gruff veterans with loads of unresolved history. For the roles they are, they're fine, but like I said you never get any depth to them. But I just find it very odd that this was pretty much the first story he wrote about the Jawbreakers yet you get more and better characterisation in Lost Souls than you do in this. The designs and their mix of powers and abilities are a nice variety and their look has an appeal to those who like the more realistic/military look, but they can look a bit like GI Joe rip-offs, like the cheap versions they did in the supermarket. The villain, the so called G0D-K1NG, you get no real sense of power our who he is, apart from a quick villian monologue.
The story was fine but suffered from the same problem by always seeming to refer to call-backs from stories that don’t exist, so these parts for me seemed always drowned out by the feeling I was missing something. The idea of a team of past it former heroes doing a job against impossible odds will always have it’s appeal, adding in superpowers is like a cherry on top. The writing flows well and the dialogue, while at times can be a corny, but as it's a comic book, it's nothing you wouldn't expect.
The art is good, it has a high-quality classic comic book look to it. The designs of the characters are good with each having a distinctive look to them.
There are three further short stories, two are set in the Jawbreakers universe and the other a whole new one; there's the origin story on Devil-Dog, which is some action filled one, with marines, Taliban, guns and explosions. Xaxi: Respawn is one about character Xaxi from Lost Souls and her return from the dead. The last story is not a Jawbreakers one, Desolation Wave is a sci-fi story about enslaved genetically engineered human. These are a worthwhile read, I’d say Xaxi was the weakest, but that was because I wasn’t a big fan of her in Lost Souls. The art in these is still a high quality, like the main story and the writing matches. I'd say Devil-Dog is the stronger of the three, but Desolation Wave is a novel sci-fi story, which is always a plus in my book.
Would this be a recommend? That's hard to answer. While it has its good points, some of the decisions taken in the narrative, with how Meyer is writing his Jawbreakers world, with little character development and what development there is seems disjointed as most of the characters arc end here but as you haven't yet seen any of their history together is a bit jarring. And with the first half of the story not here, unless you manage to find the free download or have Jawbreakers: Lost Souls you would probably feel totally lost. But for those who have read the previous jawbreaker stories would definitely get more out of it. I think I get what he trying to do with his Jawbreakers universe, I think telling the story backwards; personally I preferred Lost Souls to this one, there's a lot of interesting elements here that I would have liked more on, like the God Gun, how the Jawbreakers fell out of favour and the heroes that replaced them. So, I might recommend this to who've read the other Jawbreaker stuff and liked it, but for those who haven’t read the previous books I’d say leave it and read those first, and if you didn't like the other stuff, or just don't like superhero/military team comics then probably give it a miss.
I follow the author’s YouTube channel and read the free issue when he released it, mainly so he could get free criticism about it I think. I thought the idea and story was interesting and I backed Jawbreakers – Lost Souls which I enjoyed more than I thought I would about a giant inter-dimensional ape filled with gold and weapons (just go with it). So was this a good conclusion to the Jawbreakers story that hasn’t even started?
The story picks up straight after the events of the free issue released. The Jawbreakers are a mercenary team with a variety of superpowers. Fallen out of favour with the US government and usurped by more powerful superheroes, they now do mercenary work for more shady groups. After a job in Africa, they are approached by a mysterious woman with a impossible job. The superheroes that replaced the likes of the Jawbreakers are dead or missing. Now, an individual calling himself the GodKing is in total control of New York, and the Jawbreakers have been asked to eliminate him. But killing an almost omnipotent force means that this is the Jawbreakers final mission (until the author jump starts the team again pulling comic book style resurrections now that he's seen how popular it is after his first story is basically their end).
I've read a few books by Meyer now, and while none are bad, there is a mix of good and ones that seen to be missing that killer edge. I feel that G0D-K1NG is one that seems to be missing something. I think not including the beginning of this book was a misstep, it’s like being thrown in half way through. I feel that people who haven’t read that early draft might be lost. The 'first’ issue if you like is in a ‘remastered’ form in the Lost Souls book, but if you haven't read that either you wouldn’t be in any better position.
In terms of characters though, they wouldn't be that far behind. Its a bit odd that the first story of the Jawbreakers is also technically their last, that you don't really get a good grasp of the characters. You get a kind of basic characterisation, but I always felt like I was missing like the four preceding issues as they mentioned history and missions they'd gone on, but as those issues didn't exist it just felt a bit weird. The characters are basically what if the Expendables had superpowers, gruff veterans with loads of unresolved history. For the roles they are, they're fine, but like I said you never get any depth to them. But I just find it very odd that this was pretty much the first story he wrote about the Jawbreakers yet you get more and better characterisation in Lost Souls than you do in this. The designs and their mix of powers and abilities are a nice variety and their look has an appeal to those who like the more realistic/military look, but they can look a bit like GI Joe rip-offs, like the cheap versions they did in the supermarket. The villain, the so called G0D-K1NG, you get no real sense of power our who he is, apart from a quick villian monologue.
The story was fine but suffered from the same problem by always seeming to refer to call-backs from stories that don’t exist, so these parts for me seemed always drowned out by the feeling I was missing something. The idea of a team of past it former heroes doing a job against impossible odds will always have it’s appeal, adding in superpowers is like a cherry on top. The writing flows well and the dialogue, while at times can be a corny, but as it's a comic book, it's nothing you wouldn't expect.
The art is good, it has a high-quality classic comic book look to it. The designs of the characters are good with each having a distinctive look to them.
There are three further short stories, two are set in the Jawbreakers universe and the other a whole new one; there's the origin story on Devil-Dog, which is some action filled one, with marines, Taliban, guns and explosions. Xaxi: Respawn is one about character Xaxi from Lost Souls and her return from the dead. The last story is not a Jawbreakers one, Desolation Wave is a sci-fi story about enslaved genetically engineered human. These are a worthwhile read, I’d say Xaxi was the weakest, but that was because I wasn’t a big fan of her in Lost Souls. The art in these is still a high quality, like the main story and the writing matches. I'd say Devil-Dog is the stronger of the three, but Desolation Wave is a novel sci-fi story, which is always a plus in my book.
Would this be a recommend? That's hard to answer. While it has its good points, some of the decisions taken in the narrative, with how Meyer is writing his Jawbreakers world, with little character development and what development there is seems disjointed as most of the characters arc end here but as you haven't yet seen any of their history together is a bit jarring. And with the first half of the story not here, unless you manage to find the free download or have Jawbreakers: Lost Souls you would probably feel totally lost. But for those who have read the previous jawbreaker stories would definitely get more out of it. I think I get what he trying to do with his Jawbreakers universe, I think telling the story backwards; personally I preferred Lost Souls to this one, there's a lot of interesting elements here that I would have liked more on, like the God Gun, how the Jawbreakers fell out of favour and the heroes that replaced them. So, I might recommend this to who've read the other Jawbreaker stuff and liked it, but for those who haven’t read the previous books I’d say leave it and read those first, and if you didn't like the other stuff, or just don't like superhero/military team comics then probably give it a miss.
July 31, 2020
The production values of the book are very high with nice paper, very good printing and it's nicely bound. The art by Aaron Alfeche is good on the main story with plenty of detail and good action sequences. The only real criticism is faces, there is no real variety of facial structure and expression, everyone's ultra macho faces are just grimacing and snarling all the time. I imagine he's a young artist and I'm sure he will improve this aspect of his art over time.
The real issue I have is the main GodKing story, the various problems that are thrown up are solved in a contrived way. It feels less like obstacles need to be overcome to reach a goal as the obstacles themselves are the goal. On a positive note every character is both distinctive in looks and personality so no continually having to flip back to refresh your memory.
The back up stories are what I would describe as functional, the best being the "Devil Dog Origin" story written by Chuck Dixon. He tells a strong, punchy story which is an enjoyable read. Also Alfeche's art is actually an improvement on the main story and this mainly revolves around a better variety of faces and expressions. "Xaxi : Respawn" and "Desolation Wave", the other two stories, are really just filler to be honest and kind of just glided by without leaving much impression. Charlie Snogan's art on the Xaxi story is excellent though.
Overall, a sort of middle of the road experience that you could expect from a team, except Dixon obviously, that hasn't done a great deal of comics work.
The real issue I have is the main GodKing story, the various problems that are thrown up are solved in a contrived way. It feels less like obstacles need to be overcome to reach a goal as the obstacles themselves are the goal. On a positive note every character is both distinctive in looks and personality so no continually having to flip back to refresh your memory.
The back up stories are what I would describe as functional, the best being the "Devil Dog Origin" story written by Chuck Dixon. He tells a strong, punchy story which is an enjoyable read. Also Alfeche's art is actually an improvement on the main story and this mainly revolves around a better variety of faces and expressions. "Xaxi : Respawn" and "Desolation Wave", the other two stories, are really just filler to be honest and kind of just glided by without leaving much impression. Charlie Snogan's art on the Xaxi story is excellent though.
Overall, a sort of middle of the road experience that you could expect from a team, except Dixon obviously, that hasn't done a great deal of comics work.
May 23, 2020
Slightly better than volume one. The real stand-out here is a back-up story, Xaxi: Re-Spawn, which is given some heft by artist Charlie Snogans. I'm there for whatever *that* guy is working on. That's more my idea of good comics. Two other back ups have scripts by Chuck Dixon, Devil Dog: Origin, which isn't bad, and a preview for a sci-fi drama Desolation Wave, which doesn't register with me.
April 10, 2023
This book was filled with racist stereotypes and cliché storytelling. I found it at a friend’s house when I was house sitting and after I read it I asked him why he has such a book and found out that it was the project of an alt right YouTuber and he was curious for all the way that those sorts attack media whether they can create art…the answer is no.
January 19, 2020
It's a good solid book just likes it predecessor. Has the feel of a book you are joining on issue 68 and that takes some getting used to, but the style is clearly deliberate and once you get over that its a LOT of fun. If he keeps making them, I'll keep buying them.
May 24, 2020
The interiors are great on this one. The conclusion of GodKing doesn't disappoint. Dixon's origin for DevilDog is as good as one would hope for and the Xaxi story is moving with a lot of humor in the background.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews