Nobody told him not to ride his motorcycle in the house.
Alien Bounty Hunter #1
Vault Comics (July, 2017)
STORY: Stephen Levinson (creator) & F.J. Desanto
WRITERS: Adrian Wassel & David Boother
ARTIST: Nick Robles
LETTERER: Deron Bennett
Ben Madsen, former Marshall turned bounty hunter, is trying to protect his dying aunt’s dream of a community center in Arcadia, California, but even when he brings down his latest target he gets screwed over because of damages during the chase. A government agent tries to approach him but has better luck with his less bitter partner and tech whiz Brooks. Whether he wants to or not, Madsen is taken to Fairbanks, Alaska, where an escaped alien prisoner may be on his way to a secret space alien facility, and it’s up to Madsen to find this Nix before he finds a way to return to his home planet to start a revolution.
What they got right: It’s an interesting premise. Earth is being used as a penal colony in exchange for certain protections by other alien races. The chase and investigation moments are done well. Madsen, while not my type of hero, is still one. The angry, snarky type who hates technology but still uses it thanks to his friend’s drones isn’t for me personally, but he does care about people.
What they got wrong: Madsen doesn’t look Chinese to me, but his aunt is and so are the other people we meet in the neighborhood. Said aunt, who refuses cancer treatments and wants to build or continue a community center, seems like added drama that at least in this issue doesn’t have any ties to the story beyond extra motivation. Also, how did the bad guy end up running through Madsen’s apartment?
What I think overall: There are some good parts to this story and I like the art. Ultimately I don’t think it’s for me, but it is worth checking out. Your tastes may be different from mine.
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