Wetworks: Rebirth

Wetworks (collected editions) #1.1

by Whilce Portacio, Brandon Choi, Scott Williams (Author/Illustrator)

I.O. sends Team 7 to Transylvania to recover a dangerous biological weapon; Instead, they find the facility they are supposed to be invading already overrun with vampires! It's super cyborgs vs. the supernatural! Let the bodies hit the floor! Includes the WetWorks (1994-1998 1st Series Image) 1-3 and the WetWorks prelude from WildCATs Covert Action Teams (1992-1998) #2.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

96 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1996

About the author

Whilce Portacio is a Filipino-American comic book artist.

Born in in Sangley Point, Cavite City, Philippines, Portacio started out as an inker at Marvel Comics in 1985. Later he was given assignments as a penciller as well. Portacio became noted for his work on such titles as The Punisher, X-Factor, and the Uncanny X-Men. However, in 1992, Portacio left Marvel to co-found Image Comics with six other high-profile artists. But, Portacio quickly withdrew from his partnership in this enterprise due to his sister's bout with lupus, eventually publishing his title Wetworks through Jim Lee's imprint in 1994. Other notable series that Portacio has worked on include Stone and Marvel's controversial Heroes Reborn storyline within Iron Man.

In August, 2000, Portacio fell into a diabetic coma as a result of a failing pancreas. He woke up a week later, thirty pounds lighter, and unable to walk, stand or even draw. Only six months later he was able to pick up a pencil and draw. According to his blog, "My mind could see what I wanted to draw but my hand couldn't accomplish it."

In 2006, Portacio returned to his artistic duties at Wildstorm on Wetworks vol. 2, which was being written by Mike Carey. Unfortunately, Portacio's reputation for being unable to maintain a steady work schedule caught up with him again as Wetworks vol. 2 suffered from numerous delays and Portacio ended up leaving the book with issue #6, but he continues to illustrate cover art monthly since leaving as the book's interior artist. He also began art duties on the new monthly DC Comics series Batman Confidential.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

So, while Cyberforce was mutants with cybernetic implants--think black ops bonded with venom symbiotes who focus on fighting the supernatural, with Wetworks. Again, this is a case of a double-cross suicide mission.

One thing about this comic, is that it employs color much better than other Image series at the time. As such, it's much more vibrant looking than the other team books such as Cyberforce, Wildcats and Youngblood.

Like Cyberforce, Wetworks was one of the lesser successes (due to Portacio leaving the company for a bit and an erratic schedule) but it did have Mike Carey on it's second volume, so I will have to check it out.

[Oliver Belmonte · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another favorite 90’s Image comics of mine showcasing a spec-ops ,special forces who are encased in gold symbiote armor. Still worth reading.