OMAC Issue 8 (2012)
Story and Art by: Keith Giffen & Dan Didio
One of the six original New 52 titles to be cancelled is OMAC (One Machine Attack Construct) the unstoppable behemoth created by Jack Kirby. The story follows Kevin Kho who transforms into OMAC under the command of the sentient satellite Brother Eye. This final chapter follows OMAC as he battles against the secret organization Che3ckmate and their lackeys from Cadmus. The issue is almost entirely action with very little story, but the ending is dialogue heavy and will make you wish you could read more OMAC adventures.
Both the story and art are handled by the team of Keith Giffen and Dan Didio with some mixed results. The writing is really good in the previous issues. This lack of interesting dialogue makes this is a rough end for this series. The majority of the text follows Kevin Kho’s thoughts during this final chapter of his series. The ending is painful for all characters involved and it really makes you feel sorry for Kevin. The artwork is done in a more throwback style and it works for this Jack Kirby creation. The battles are intense, but can get messy with too many things going on in the panel. The faces do look smooshed by silly putty, as they have in previous issues and is done to keep the old school style of the series. In addition, the framing tends to be very simple for the sake of old school style and it works well for this series. The art design will be a turn off for those who like the more modern, crisp style of comic book art and may have been one of the reasons why this book was cancelled.
It is sad to see this throwback series coming to an early end. OMAC had some great potential as an action series due to the wild battles and the humorous dialogue. Although the series has ended, DC will be releasing a graphic novel of the story. If you want to see a modern take on one of the weirder Kirby creations then you may want to find the book when it comes out in May. If short lived series do not appeal to you or you like a more modern art design then give this gem a pass.
Bizarro Approved!