The Last Of His Kind: Annihilation Scourge Beta Ray Bill #1 Reviewed
by Josh Davison
Mild Spoilers Ahead
The Sentry has broken into the Positive Universe, and we join Beta Ray Bill and Lockjaw on Planet Gyrax. A week ago, Bill and Lockjaw slew a cosmic beast that was tormenting the Gyraxian people. The week since has been spent feasting, drinking, and celebrating. As Bill is finally readying to leave Gyrax, a rift opens in the sky above the planet. A Cancerverse reflection of Doctor Strange arrives and begins using his unholy magic to convert the Gyraxians to his cause. Beta Ray Bill and Lockjaw will not allow this to continue. Bill beats this Doctor Strange back–only to find Sentry waiting in orbit around Gyrax.
Annihilation Scourge: Beta Ray Bill #1 brings the wielder of Stormbreaker into the new war against the Cancerverse. Bill and Lockjaw have enjoyed their time traveling and becoming cosmic heroes for the people of our galaxy, but they must now partake in a greater conflict.
Michael Moreci writes Beta Ray Bill as a charmingly straightforward hero. He’s lost his people, but he still works to save other species and enjoys doing so. His narration is simple too; his reception and reaction to each new horror is defiance and dedication.
Lockjaw is a welcome part of this comic of course, and his relationship with Beta Ray Bill is thoroughly endearing. I also found myself appreciating the increased presence of the Sentry in this comic. He makes for a fittingly frightening foe.
Alberto Alburquerque makes the visuals of the story epic and powerful. The above full-page spread of the Sentry is downright awesome, and Beta Ray Bill gets a similar treatment many times throughout the comic. The battle scenes are mighty and Jay David Ramos contributes a vibrant cosmic palette to make this comic even more visually explosive.
Annihilation Scourge: Beta Ray Bill #1 is yet another knockout punch delivered by this Marvel cosmic event. We watch as Beta Ray Bill gets wrangled into this interdimensional war and does what a hero should: save lives and put an end to the fighting. It’s an endearing read with plenty of action and brilliant visuals. As such, it earns a recommendation. Feel free to give it a read.
Annihilation Scourge: Beta Ray Bill #1 comes to us from writer Michael Moreci, artist Alberto Alburquerque, color artist Jay David Ramos, letterer VC’s Joe Sabino, cover artist Josemaria Casanovas, and variant cover artist Patch Zircher with Mike Spicer.
Final Score: 8.5/10
