When I saw this cover and I read that one of the writers on this book is also a writer and producer on It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia, I knew I had to check Doberman #1 out. The setup is something we’ve all seen before-a hot-shot detective with a dark past makes a comeback that nobody else sees coming. But all that doesn’t matter because this book is a breeze to read and although quirky and witty at times also more than delivers in the action department and there’s a bit of tragedy in this debut issue as well. The book starts off as a flashback with our main character, Frank Doberano from the LAPD. He goes in a convenience store and seamlessly breaks up a robbery attempt, but not before cracking a few witty lines. For example, the robbers ask Doberano if he’s some kind of freak because when they ask him to pull out his wallet, he pulls out his pistol and asks them to hold it for him. His reply to the question is: “I got my nipples pierced when I was a junior in high school. I don’t know if that qualifies me as a freak, per se, but my dad sure thought I was.” He ends up spitting beer in the one’s face and hits him in the head with a six pack, then dares the other to pick up his pistol and throws them both out the window.
Most everyone is treating Doberano like a hero except for a few jealous members of the LAPD. Doberano is at the bar shot gunning a beer when he gets a call from the chief ordering him and his partner “Hawk” to do a drug bust and finally get a man named Kane they seem to have been after for a while. The two sides meet up for the drug deal but it quickly goes south as Kane and his men didn’t bring any money and intend to kill the suppliers. Doberman and Hawk step in, but they’re outnumbered and outgunned.
Like I said before, this issue was a breeze to read. It’s a simple comic that is full of action, humor, and a bit of bizarreness, especially towards the end which I won’t spoil in this review. The story is great, the art is very good, the characters are memorable and have their own personalities. It’s really hard to not like this book, the only reason I’m not giving it a 5 is the fact that this type of story and genre is a bit overdone. I understand that that’s exactly what they’re going for and maybe it’s a bit of a mock at the genre or at least a satire, but I think people might skip over this book just because it seems already done, but either way this is a great first issue and any fan of comics should check Doberman out.
Score: 4/5
Writers: Scott Marder, Bob Rosell, and Jack Lambert Artist: Brandon McKinney Publisher: IDW/Darby Pop Price: $3.99 Release Date: 7/16/14 Format: Print/Digital