About Heroes

This review was submitted by Ray2007

Creator: John Woo
Artist: Jeevan Kang
Writer: Garth Ennis
Publisher: Virgin Comics

Yeah, that's right, boys and girls! John Woo, the great film director has now traveled into the realm of comic books. To which I can only say, "ABOUT FREAKIN' TIME!" Many of his films, such as "A Better Tomorrow I and II", "The Killer", "Bullet in the Head" and "Hardboiled" are so much like a comic book that I'm surprised it took this long for him to arrive at this genre. (Seems John Woo has been in recent times expanding on what media he works with, what with the release of his videogame "Stranglehold", that is a direct video game sequel to "Hardboiled" and features the actual voice of Chow-Yun Fat as his original character, Tequila!) And now, with the combined talents of Garth Ennis and Jeevan Kang, comes an explosive story that jumps out of the page.

But first, a brief history lesson...or at least what SOME consider history. Right now, there is currently a theory being debated amongst historians and archeologists known as the "1421 Theory". This theory is based on archeological evidence that some believe strongly suggests that the Chinese discovered and mapped most of the New World, long before Columbus, or Cortez, or anyone. The theory is that the Emperor of China, Zhu Di, in 1421, sent out a vast fleet of hundreds of massive ships to sail to the four corners of the earth and not only map what they saw, but to establish peaceful, trade relations with whomever they encountered. After two years, the fleet returned to China, only to discover that because of the enormous expense the emperor devoted to the 1421 expeditions, the country was bankrupt, and civil war erupted. Millions starved or were killed in battle. The fleet was dismantled, with no hope of future return trips. And any records obtained during these voyages was destroyed, thus robbing the Chinese of a historical legacy, before it could be born.

Or so the theory goes. It's very controversial, but John Woo does a cool thing and simply takes the story as true and gives it a supernatural spin: On one of these voyages, traveled a sorcerer, modestly called "The Son of Hell" and he used the trip as a way to harness the natural powers of the earth, using "dragon lines", (Westerners call them "ley lines") but regardless of the name, they are the lines that supposedly can be used to harness nature...and control it. If one has the power over these lines, volcanoes can be made to cool...and explode again. Deserts can become green, rain and snow can occur ANYWHERE on the planet...the potential is limitless. And the Son of Hell wants all that potential for himself.

What he doesn't realize is that his student, Fong, who is learning sorcery, has also learned about the dragon lines, but so that he can stop the Son of Hell from using them for evil. Then, their ship, along with all the others are recalled to China, where the emperor will not sanction any more trips. The Son of Hell, in a rage, because his work mapping the dragon lines is incomplete, curses the crews of the other ships to a painful afterlife limbo in death, and then gets caught up in a magic battle with Fong. A battle that takes both of them out of the picture...for six more centuries.

Fast forward to present day L.A. Seven men are brought together by a mysterious Chinese babe named Rachel Kai, and are told the most incredible story of the Son of Hell...for he has been resurrected...and only these seven men, these "brothers"...with seemingly nothing in common, except each possesses a superhuman ability...these men, are the only ones who can stop the Son of Hell. It's a destiny that was set up more than six hundred years before by Fong...will they fulfill it?

Can they?

Having been a fan of John Woo's films for many years, this trade collection was a total delight. The seven brothers in this story are loosely based on a Chinese folk legend of ten brothers who together defended the Great Wall of China from invading forces. What's great about this story is that it still incorporates common themes in Woo's best movies: Loyalty, brotherhood, betrayal, redemption. For any readers who are also John Woo film fans, there are plenty of moments that were this a movie, you could instantly identify it as a John Woo movie. (I'll let you spot them for yourself) But for me, one of the best parts of this book was something a bit more subtle. You see, in about every John Woo film, there comes a moment when at least one character steps up, and outside and beyond themselves and do something supremely heroic. It makes you stand up and cheer. There are many moments like that in "7 Brothers", but there is one moment in particular, that I know will have you on your feet. It was hilarious, outrageous, appropriate and powerful all at once. And it involves a pimp! That's all I'll say, it's too good to reveal!

Another great aspect about this book is that the dialogue is articulate, literate and SHARP! Garth Ennis really has a good ear for character. And who better than Ennis to write this script, since he had a hand in writing "Hitman" years ago, clearly a John Woo-inspired character at some levels. But Ennis's dialogue really seems to demonstrate his understanding not just of character, but culture, since there are diverse ethnic groups represented in the story, Chinese and African-American among them. But considering some of the supernatural elements, Ennis also has keeps a very tangy motif of dark humor that the art only enhances.

I savored Jeevan Kang's art, clearly inspired by manhua (the Chinese equivalent of Japanese manga), but it's an individual style all the same. He knows when to bring depth to a given frame and how to maintain the sense of motion, and stillness when it's needed. Check out some of the crazy martial arts fights to see what I mean. What's great about this trade collection is that there is a section in the back where Kang talks about in-jokes and inspirations for some of his favorite panels. There's also a deleted scene, that was sketched and scripted but never used. Man, this is just like a DVD!

Overall, I can't say enough good things about this book, so for crying out loud, BUY IT! It is TOTALLY worth every cent! And, this made me look forward even more to John Woo's historical period piece martial arts drama "Red Cliff" coming out next year.

So, bring on "7 Brothers, Vol. 2". Wait...this is John Woo, baby! Bring on the MOVIES!

A++