Comic Info
Comic Name: Deathlok (Volume 3)
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Writer: Nathan Edmondson
Artist: Mike Perkins
# of Issues: 5
Release Date: 2015
Deathlok (3) #6
Reprints Deathlok (3) #6-10 (May 2015-September 2015). The truth is out, and Henry Hayes knows who and what he’s become. With Biotek lurking over his shoulder, Henry and JJ must keep their cover within the company as Henry learns that his daughter Aria could pay the price. Agent Andrea Hope and S.H.I.E.L.D. are moving in on Biotek but bringing down Biotek could mean contacting Michael Collins…the former Deathlok.
Written by Nathan Edmondson, Deathlok Volume 2: Man versus Machine is a Marvel Comics superhero comic book released under the Marvel Now! imprint. Following Deathlok Volume 1: Control. Alt. Delete., the series features art by Mike Perkins.
Deathlok is a cool character that is almost impossible to write. The whole balance between Deathlok’s “operator” and his computer is the crutch of the series, but reading computer dialogue is like reading instruction manuals…forcing the series to try to find a way to make it entertaining.
I’ll say that this Deathlok is less about Deathlok vs. the computer than Deathlok vs. his handler. With Henry teaming with his Biotek handler JJ, the computer becomes secondary. Henry himself is an interesting Deathlok host (Michael Collins who also appears here went a bit overboard with the pacifist aspect of his character in the first Deathlok series). Henry doesn’t seem to really get to utilize much of the Deathlok tech in this volume which is unfortunate.
Deathlok (3) #7
The worst part of this volume is that Deathlok was already over when it was released. The series (though pretty entertaining) was quickly cancelled. Henry Hayes kind of has a mini-resolution in that he commits to being Deathlok and battling Biotek, but it largely feels like a “To Be Continued”…with little continuation or hope of it.
Mike Perkins does a good job with the art of the series. It especially gets tricky this volume which features multiple Deathloks, and a lot of battle scenes (which always seem to hamper storytelling). Perkins has a nice design and look for the character which is much more streamlined than the 1990s boxy (and shoulder pads), but it is also fun to see a bit of the contrast between this modern one and his 1990s counterpart in the story.
Deathlok 2: Man versus Machine is a decent ride with some good moments, but is undercut by the trappings of the publishing world. You can’t get attached to Henry because there have been many Deathloks who have come before him, and you can’t get excited about future development because you know he’s most likely not going to get much…if you can cope with that problematic aspect of the read, Deathlok 2: Man versus Machine can work. Deathlok keeps getting his chances, but the character never seems to thrive.
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