The first issue of Keanu Reeves‘ debut in comic book writing was released today, Wednesday March 3rd, 2021. BRZRKR is co-written by Matt Kindt (Mind MGMT) with art by Ron Garney. The 12-issue limited series has so far raised over $1.8 million on Kickstarter, setting the record for the highest-funded comic book project in the platform’s history.
Synopsis from BOOM! Studios
The man known only as Berzerker is half-mortal and half-God, cursed and compelled to violence…even at the sacrifice of his sanity. But after wandering the world for centuries, Berzerker may have finally found a refuge – working for the U.S. government to fight the battles too violent and too dangerous for anyone else. In exchange, Berzerker will be granted the one thing he desires – the truth about his endless blood-soaked existenceβ¦ and how to end it. NOTE: This is for Mature Readers.
My Thoughts
I’ve just finished reading this and man, is it violent! Main character John Wick Berzerker is sent on a mission to locate and capture the heavily-guarded president of an unspecified country. He is accompanied by a squad of soldiers. The action kicks off from the sixth page and doesn’t stop for 23 pages, (in a 48-page comic book). It’s one long action scene that hardly gives you time to take a breath until it’s over. After the mission, Berzerker is taken to an “undisclosed US Government facility” and undergoes the start of a lengthy healing process that had me thinking of the first Matrix movie.
Throughout the story, we hear snatches of a conversation taking place between Berzerker and a female doctor. He has a session with her after being stitched up on the operating table. She is talking about his reactions during the mission and how something was “different” this time.
“I could tell on the monitors. Something triggered you. Something happened. […] I saw new pathways light up in your brain. […] I saw pathways in your brain that you’ve been blocking for a long time. […] What happened out there today?”
-Keanu Reeves & Matt Kindt
Berzerker tells the doctor that he remembered something important during the mission, something from his past. And that’s where I will leave my summary. No spoilers here.
Overall, BRZRKR #1 is an intriguing opening issue. It is bursting with violent action and bloodied bodies, as the Berzerker roars through his mission taking absolutely no prisoners. The writing is concise and the art is kinetic and visceral. It’s not for the faint-hearted. If you are looking for no holds barred comic book action with Keanu Reeves in the leading role, look no further. No masterpiece yet, but it has hooked me enough to look forward to the second issue.
Thanks for reading!
-Wakizashi
Sounds intriguing, but with comics I always wait until at least one collected volume is ready… keep us posted π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Yeah, trade-waiting is a good call in these expensive comic book times. I couldn’t resist this one π
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha the main character looks like Keanu Reeves.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s right. It’s intentional, as there’s talk of this series being developed as a movie or a tv series, too. Here’s your leading man! π
LikeLike
Keanu Reeves!!!?? He wrote the scenario or?
LikeLiked by 1 person
It’s not clear how much writing input he has. Like you, I’d guess he came up with the idea and Matt Kindt is writing the story. It’s well-known that Keanu is a big comic book fan. On the Kickstarter page–and on YouTube–there are a couple of videos featuring him introducing the comic. Here’s the latest one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UleSBtKHbc&ab_channel=BOOM%21Studios
LikeLiked by 1 person
hard pass for me. I’ll just re-watch John Wick and The Man of Tai-Chi π
LikeLiked by 1 person
π But it’s Keanu, DUDE! No way!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Seeing him in comic form doesn’t do a thing for me…
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fair enough π It was more out of curiosity that I picked this up. I wonder when we can expect the movie?!
LikeLiked by 1 person
After John Wick dies and the franchise is dead π¦
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hmm there is such a thing as too much of a good thing… this plot seems very sketchy to me – I’ll be checking out your updates π
LikeLiked by 1 person
π haha! It’s well drawn and looks good, if a bit excessive at times. But it did feel more like a clip from a R-rated movie. We’ll see how it goes from here π
LikeLiked by 1 person
My first reaction was just to laugh, couldn’t help it. Big buff Keanu on the cover of the comic, and he may’ve had a part in writing it? I’m not sure this is one I’d try, but who knows, if you keep reading and absolutely love it going forward… perhaps. I might be more inclined to try it in movie form. Not a huge Keanu fan but I’ve enjoyed some of his movies (Matrix, John Wick).
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha!I know what you mean. Keanu Comics! We’ll see how it goes from here.
LikeLike