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Extermination #1
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Writers: Matt Gagnon, Simon Spurrier
Artist: Jeffrey Edwards

Superhero, Buddy Cop, Post Apocalyptic. These are all genres that I could easily use to describe Extermination #1, and this book seems to spotlight all three equally.

Extermination #1 centers around the story of two former adversaries – Nox, and Red Reaper (Nox being a superhero and the Red Reaper being a supervillain). The two characters are forced to work together after the earth is nearly annihilated by an invading alien force.

Right from the start I was intrigued by this book. It’s a cool premise and I’ve always been a fan of genre mash ups, but to be honest I wasn’t expecting anything too great from this book. I don’t know why. Maybe I’m just a pessimist, but I was happily proven wrong.

Extermination is a very good read that is well worth its $1 cover price. It’s a funny, campy romp through the superhero genre that takes some curious twists and turns. The fantastic relationship between the Red Reaper and Nox is a mixture between a buddy cop dynamic, and two old guys playing chess in the park.

It’s no Watchmen, but it’s definitely a book that has the potential to build up momentum as the series continues. The only thing that might detract from this read is the art. It’s not bad necessarily, it’s just that Jeffery Edwards’s art seems a little lack-luster for this title. The book may have been more enjoyable if an artist more suited to this book’s tone was on penciling duties.

All in all, Extermination #1 gets a respectable score of 7 out of 10 stars. This is a book that’s so cheap, and is quality enough that anyone with half a brain should give it a try. Or don’t, and face the wrath of the Red Reaper…your choice.

Boyblunder
grady@comicattack.com