Dead Drop #3 continues the mini-series momentum and frenetic pace of the previous outings. Can our potential saviors thwart the benevolent overruling attempt on our planet? It appears super spy Neville Alcott and a cyborg from the 80s with fax machine abilities are our only hope now… so I’d say a collective GULP! is the appropriate response here.
WRITTEN BY: Ales Kot
ART BY: Adam Gorham
PUBLISHER: Valiant Entertainment
PRICE: $3.99
RELEASE: 15 July 2015
This time, we get to see how the other side of this would-be alien viral invasion looks. Short answer: they look like giant bugs in three piece suits and ninja gear. They have already taken out some of the Valiant Universe’s big guns like X-O Manowar and Archer, from Archer & Armstrong.
Humanity’s last hope falls onto Beta-Max! Who is that, you’re asking? I have no idea either, folks. But thankfully, writer Ales Kot does and makes everyone underestimate him with great effect. Readers get to witness what on the surface looks like a humorous relic of a hero get the villain to monologue at him about the master plan.
Kot knows how to make this momentous change effective and poignant by making something obscure and laughable about our hero into something that may ultimately save the world in the end. This chapter feels right in step with wittier moments of Doctor Who and the recent Terminator Genisys in that old doesn’t mean obsolete.
Artist Adam Gorham has lots to play with in this issue. Aliens, ninjas, half-robot men all look slick on the page. Gorham’s paneling and transitions really stand out as well executed visual storytelling. His aliens look especially distinctive and horrific this month.
I honestly was pulling for the underdog Beta-Max by the end of Dead Drop #3. All he ever wanted to do was be a secret agent and help save people. I hope his efforts help the real Neville Alcott ultimately save the day because he deserves it after this display of heroism by fax machine.
Score: 9/10
Mr. Steele enjoys all things comics and imagination-based. Using his lifetime of comic-fu-dom for good, he imparts his knowledge for the universe to enjoy and for you, dear readers, to pass it on.
Twitter: @mrbradysteele
