We are into issue six of an eight issue story arc that follows the original movie script for Robocop 3 written by Frank Miller. Legend has it that the original script was reworked so badly, that it made Frank Miller almost completely give up on Hollywood in adapting his writing, almost. Fortunately for us, he didn’t as he has had some successes through the years (think 300 and Sin City). Boom Studios decided to take the original Robocop 3 script and allow Steven Grant to adapt Miller’s version with Korkut Oztekin  on the art. What has been created is a hyper violent, hyper action tale that has had mixed reviews. Last month, I took a stab at issue five and I was entertained with the writing and impressed with the artwork. The action was intense and flowed well. Issue six begins right where five ended with our hero in the clutches of the baddies and about to be dismantled permanently and painfully from what I can tell.  Does he make it through? Also, what will be the fate of the innocent residents who stand in the crosshairs of OCP’s plans of power? One of these questions is answered and the other is still in the balance, but you will need to read it to see which one.

This issue like the last, is chock full of everything you would want in a Robocop comic. It has action. It has suspense. It has dialogue that relates well to the story. And no Robocop tale would not be complete without some good old-fashioned, blow your head open kind of violence. But, as I read through this installment, I almost felt like something was missing. I haven’t been able to place my finger on it, but I just didn’t enjoy this one as much as I did the last one. It isn’t bad, but it isn’t mind blowing either. It just is. This actually shocks me as I am as big of a fan of Frank Miller as anyone. I know the script has been adapted by Steven Grant, and I feel he has done a good job. But it might just be that the original source just isn’t some of Miller’s best work.

Steven Grant does do an adequate job capturing the essence of Miller’s script. I just don’t think the story is as good as what I have read from Miller in the past. Still, Grant has filled the story with intense action in his scripting that should satisfy any fan of the Robocop franchise.

Regarding Oztekin’s art, I love it. It has a rawness that fits in well with the grittiness of the story. The locales in Robocop are not pretty places. They are littered with urban scrawl, old factories, and some real hardcore crime. Oztekin captures this beautifully and helps to perpetuate the writing to make for an entertaining read, even if it isn’t mind blowing.

The one thing that I know for sure is that things are heating up and about to blow. I expect the last two issues to be a white-hot action ride that I would hope might bring some credibility back to the franchise. I am not quite sure that it has got there yet, but there are still two more issues. We will see. We will see.

Score: 3/5

Writer: Steven Grant Artist: Korkut Oztekin Publisher: Boom Studios Price: $3.99 Release Date: 1/8/14