Since Titan Comics is a new monthly publisher we’re definitely spotlighting more of their first issues to see what they’re all about. The lineup is very unique and has a huge range of genres. This book just looked fun from the minute they announced it so we all couldn’t wait to weigh in on it (none more than Kevin). If you’re still unfamiliar with the group review format; each of the writers/reviews from Comic Bastards will give the book a score of either: BUY, BORROW or PASS and then a short reason about their score. To start with we have a blurb about the issue from Titan Comics: When the Allies and Nazis develop time-diving technology that could see the Second World War derailed by creatures from the Cretaceous, only the Sarge and his band of misfit soldiers can save the future – by saving history! Dinosaurs! Giant crocodiles! Albert Einstein with a machine gun! All that barely scratches the surface of the first issue of this astounding, fully-painted pulp spectacular!
Kevin: Buy
Let me do the proper thing and introduce you to your new favorite comic. Ladies and Gentlemen I give you, Titian Comics’ Chronos Commandos and it is completely bad-ass. Stuart Jennett is a complete stud with his art and narrative. A group of American soldiers are led by a hard nose Sergeant that chases Nazi scum throughout time? With the Axis being a played out as an easy bad guy CC makes you forget all of that with its slick presentation and cool as a cucumber Sarge. Chronos Commandos does exactly what it needs to do by leaving you wanting more. I’m pretty sure we’ve said this before on the site but Titan Comics must be butter because they’re on a roll.
Samantha: Buy
Wow totally judged this comic wrong. When I flipped through this comic and saw WW II soldiers and dinosaurs, I thought how many comics are going to take this theme on? Well this comic finally hit it for me. The time travelling element is what did it. It takes a certain person to read this comic and want to keep reading it. I have never been a big war comic fan. I have tried a lot recently and none have kept my interest.
I think this comic works because you can tell it has a twisted plot. Who knows what time periods they will end up in. Plus almost all of the main characters die in the first issue. Yeah, I wouldn’t get too attached to anyone.
Steve: Buy
The first thing you have to do when approaching a book called Chronos Commandos is to abandon any preconceived notions of seriousness. This book has a leapfrogging T-Rex and an eyepatch-wearing, time-jumping Nazi hitman named Dieter, for Pete’s sake! And you know what? Because, and not in spite of those reasons, it’s pretty goddamn awesome. There are so many stereotypes running amok un this book - from the gruff-n-ready, cigar-smoking “Sarge” (whose dialogue steals the show) to the Irish troublemaker, Murphy - but each one is played up to pretty amazing farce, which only accentuates the fun (yet deadly) adventure in the book, of which there is plenty.
The art here is frankly pretty stunning. It looks like oil work; a thickly painted portraiture, and while the story itself is not so grave, this heavier art gives a certain depth of field to the overall experience. That scene of the half-eaten soldier dangling by his guts from the jowls of a T-Rex as a plume of neon-blue butterflies billows peacefully upward is some of the most stirring art I’ve seen in a while. No joke. So no, don’t take Chronos Commandos TOO seriously, but pay close attention, because it is infinitely entertaining to read and quite a sight to behold.
Dustin: Buy
It has Dinosaurs, Nazi’s and time travel… why are you even reading this still? Also the art is fucking amazing. Seriously I could stare at Jennett’s butterflies all day long and would and play the “what would you do for a Klondike” game for the original art with the T-Rex surrounded in butterflies eating a dude. Seriously why are you reading this! Buy a copy for yourself and everyone you know since there’s no way anyone can hate this book. It’s fucking awesome.
Eric: Buy
Nazis, dinosaurs, and a hard nose sergeant is a great recipe for a good story or total disaster. Here we have a great story. I was leery at first because it started out hunting Nazi, but the world the story is in captures you. The Nazis are not the threat but the environment where everything takes place. Half way through it had me on the edge of my seat. The ending guaranties that I'm reading this in the future. The art captures your imagination of the prehistoric world. The eyes or the dinosaurs peer right through you. The soldiers each are unique. It's a beautiful piece of work.
Score: 5 Buys!
Writer/Artist/Creator: Stuart Jennett
Publisher: Titan Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: 7/10/13