Tuesday, November 6, 2018

LLOYD SMITH'S THE UNBEATABLE BRICK: A LUCKY/SURPRISING COMICS HERO IS BORN!!!


Hey there, folks! In case you haven't heard, there's a new superhero in town, and his name is (big drum roll, please)...the Unbeatable Brick!!!


Published by John Helmer's Lucky Comics (per its imprint, Surprising Comics Group) and created by the dynamic Mark Davis and rendered by the ultra-expressive Lloyd Smith, mastermind behind Ash-Aman, the Unbeatable Brick was once a crackerjack pilot and secret agent/soldier of fortune. During one of his harrowing missions, he slipped into another dimension, where three, wise aliens seized his altered frame and added a little, physical and philosophical tinkerin'--and in a way, mind you, that would make even DC's Guardians of the Universe green with envy. 

From their extra-terrestrial efforts, an elastic, crimson-skinned hero was born, but due to circumstances beyond Brick's mighty control, he'll go insane if he ever turns human again. Brick, therefore, remains in constant, larger-than-life shape to face Earth's adversaries, relying specifically on F.L.A.G.G. (Furtive Legally Authorized Global Guardians) to point the intrepid way. 


Brick's tenacious know-how matches his brawn, making him a cross between Spartacus and James Bond, while at the same time placing him on a level with the Thing, the Hulk, Hellboy, Savage Dragon, Mr. Fantastic and Plastic Man. However, Brick never mimics the aforementioned to the point of becoming a blah rehash. This big bruiser more than holds his own with the most original of DC, Marvel and beyond: a one-of-a-kind crusader for a one-of-a-kind age, with a strong string of outstanding artists contributing to his cause. (JW Erwin, Josh Holley, Joseph Graves, Rob Shalda, Donnie Page and David Johnson Jr. are but a few...) 


Oh, yes, Smith's crafty creation gives readers lots of artistic variance. For example, The Unbeatable Brick #1 shares our hero's epic origin: revealed (interestingly enough) when he convinces poor, deflated Myron Dodds not to commit suicide. (Johnson Jr's skillful artwork gives the exchange a nice, comfy feel.) The Unbeatable Brick #2, on the other hand, shows our hero combating (and ultimately merging with) a colossal robot, thanks to the evil plans of Iron Baron and Ms. Tarus. (Erwin's stylish imagery grants this one a real, gut-crunching punch.)


In this respect, though Smith's Brick adventures differ in tone and texture, the writer captures the character's reliable dignity in each instance, no matter how big or small the circumstances. This approach allows Brick to project a special depth not found in other modern heroes.  

I do hope that Smith and Surprising Comics supply a continual flow of the big, red "Malleable Master of Molecules".  Brick is a hero destined for pop-cultural greatness!!! Heck, in many ways, he's already achieved that status. Don't believe me? Just flip through an issue; then dare tell me otherwise...

3 comments:

  1. Thanks for the support and the kind words, Michael!

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    1. You're so very welcome, Lloyd--and thank you for helping to visualize such a spectacular character!

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  2. Thanks for the awesome write-up!
    David Johnson Jr.

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