The unnamed demi-god's origin is explained in Keanu Reeves' BRZRKR #2: REVIEW
Written by: Keanu Reeves and Matt Kindt, Illustrations by: Ron Garney, Colours by: Bill Crabtree.
In one of his sit-down chats with what seems to be a government psychiatrist, our “hero” talks about the memories that he’s unlocked. Speaking about how he came to be, and what events lead him to be the way he is. With more of his memories unlocked, is this leading him down a path in which he shouldn’t go, or will he need to tread his dark past to fulfill his dream?
If anyone hasn’t read my review for BRZRKR issue one, I do want to state that I did pledge towards this title's Kickstarter. However I will always try to be impartial in any book that I review.
One thing that has developed since issue one was released, is that Netflix are now developing a film from this series, with Keanu Reeves in the lead. This I believe was obvious for everyone to predict. When a big movie star does a comic book, there is always going to be a chance that they pitch the idea as a film or series. Since the book became such a massive hit, with being the highest grossing comic on Kickstarter (as said in my previous review), it seemed ripe to be picked up by any company wanting to develop it into a script. This I could see as a challenge for any screenwriter. As I stated in my previous review, something that could be clearer are the locations of where these events take place. I am assuming the present day action is in America, but it could be anywhere. There are no real defining characteristics of the towns or cities. Maybe this could be a commentary on the way things could go, where no region in the world has any defining qualities, that everything looks the same? However, I can’t imagine it being the case, as we now have an issue devoted to his origin, and it’s still unclear where his tribe was located.
I also went on to say that I didn’t want this book to be about a violent person who is like that just for the sake of the story. We do get a little more character development here, in that we are told that he had an immaculate conception (a reflection of Jesus, a point which I believe is deliberate). Due to this, we could see the rise of the argument of nature vs nurture. If it’s in his blood to be violent, then is it really his fault if the gods are like that? Or if his mother and father tried to hone his senses and teach him right from wrong, then there’s an element of self responsibility. I hope this is developed more, so we can see an internal struggle within him to be better, yet going against his instincts. I also think it’s an interesting choice to have him resemble a messiah-like figure. One which the tribe prayed for, then see as a gift, due to the means in which he was conceived. Yet unlike Christ, he deals out what could be called vengeance, and being far less forgiving.
So it will draw out interesting questions from the writers on how to approach these things in a different medium. I look forward to seeing how they handle them in such an action-based source material.
In regard to the artwork by Ron Garney and Bill Crabtree. There was a double-page spread that was fantastic. It depicts the night our “hero” was conceived, through magic and the gods becoming involved with his mother. The first picture shown was a quarter of that. The mix of pinks that turn into blues on the second page as it depicts what looks to be the gods' world. The mix of illustrations and colours were truly mesmerising. I was criticising the last issue for its lack of character in locations, which is still a problem with this issue too, but when we get art of this quality, I’m happy to let some things slide.
As per issue one, this issue also doesn’t shy away from violence, so if you’re more sensitive towards that, I would say this series probably isn’t for you.
Overall, I highly enjoyed it, I like that there’s more character development, despite still not knowing a name to call him by. I hope we can develop on his actions more by not having him be violent just for the sake of the story, but there being meaning behind it. It’s definitely a good start by having him be part god. I’m now looking forward to the next issue.
BRZRKR issue 2 from BOOM! Studious was released 28th April from your local comic shop as well as online at Comixology