Boom Studios Brzrkr

Keanu Reeves name has become the etymological representation of the ultimate warrior who is filled with robust skill sets no man dares to challenge; and if one was to be as foolish they would soon tremble in regret. Matt Kindt is an American Comic Book Writer whose known for "Pistolwhip" graphic novel with Jason Hall., Dark Horse Comics "MIND MGMT" for 3 years, DC Comics like #5 with Patrick Scherberger's "Men of War", Valiant Entertainment for Volumes 1 thru 7 with "Unity" for 2 years. Ron Garney is a Comic Book Artist & Writer whose works includes pencil works of "Ghost Rider", "Hulk", "Captain America" (and credited writer for the same issues) and the covers of Fantastic Four, UnCanny X-Force and Wolverine. Bill Crabtree started as a colorist in 2003 with Image Comics and has been nominated for a Harvey Award for his work on Invincible. In short, we have a team of some amazing individuals.

The opening of the comic demonstrates a Keanu Reeves character zealously ready for their mission; to the point they engage in battle without their teammates. Although there is a narrative to speak in the background of the actions I can not help but to read the narrative in the slow growl that is gravid with pain tone that only Keanu Reeves speaks in. The protagonist dives before his team onto the ground to vanquish an entire team of enemy soldiers in search of their El Presidente. The imagery paints a clear picture that this person can not die. There is also a solemn tranquility of depression looming over the protagonist and it is blatant to the reader that his methods to fighting are partially careless because they do not have to be careful. There is an eerie feeling that they want to die but that is not confirmed until a few pages in after the President has been killed. Moments of the mission when our lovely protagonist stands before the President and has been given commands to keep them alive; but he has decided otherwise. In the moment of the killing there is a child who witnesses it and there is something noticeable about the child and the scene cuts to the next scene.

We find ourselves in an Unidentified Facility in Tacoma Washington and by this point we learn that the protagonist is begging for the ability to die but he does not want to die. As a reader it gives me the concept that they want to be able to feel again which speaks of how deeply numb this character is. He converses with one of the lovely staff members and she starts asking more questions because she noticed there was a spike in his readings. The comic makes sure to paint a picture of how many departments are involved with this Berserker. As he continues to converse with her he admits to how perfect his memory is but he simply does not want to remember certain things. He also states that a memory hit hard while he was on his mission. The chitchat is between his memory and her ramblings of data; including a snap of why he wants mortality and is working with them so they can make their Cloned Army. He's been working with this facility for at least a year and loves whiskey; so he can't die but he can get drunk. The spikes in his scientific data was triggered because he remembered his father and the very moment he was born; a mere 80,000 years ago.

The introduction to the comic feeds me this myth of John Wick mixed into it which is interesting because in a way Keanu Reeves has become a mythological creature (if you will) to people; and with good reason. I mean, look at Keanu Reeves there is no way he is not immortal with such robust looks; I feel mortal looking at him. With Keanu Reeves hitting box offices with John Wick or Constantine, it seems the audience likes the dark soul in Keanu and we cheer him on with our memes of his kindness. With that all said, the same expectation of Keanu is heavily embodied into the comic; it basks in the essence and brand of Keanu Reeves.

I appreciated the narrative and the breakdown to introduce us to a character whose heart is bleeding. I do find it to be interesting that the character does not want to die but rather have the ability to do so. It leaves a psychological imprint on the audience wondering "Why do you want the ability to die? if you don't want to die?"; what would plague a person to make such a gambling decision. Why taunt death with the one thing it has not been able to grasp at them? I must admit the comic does peak my interest in wanting to know what happens in the next issue.

If you are a Keanu Reeves fan then I can recommend taking a look into the first issue and see how you feel about it. I can honestly say I enjoyed the first issue because I was left with disappointment once I discovered they were 80,000 years old and that was all there was of the Brzrkr Issue. I feel drawn into the environment of it and perhaps due to the darkness or void I feel within myself makes the character temptingly relatable.