Back to the grind of reviewing the weird world of indie comics. This time I get to indulge in the paracinematic styles of sharksploitation. Think of every movie that tries to do Jaws but more over the top. Movies like Sharknado, Sharktopus, and some other schlock I can’t name. I mean, this request isn’t even my first time reading a sharksploitation comic, that honor goes to Sharkasaurus. But with a kickstarter going into the full story of Shark of War, it’s time to dive into the insanity.
Shark of War: Synopsis
From the creator Ben Lacy:
Shark of War is Jaws meets RoboCop. It’s Jaws if the shark were the hero. It’s RoboCop if the cop were a shark. He’s an escaped US military experiment on the loose in the Caribbean enforcing the law as he sees fit.
The Concept To Fit
Lacy’s dedication to this project really goes all in on pushing his creative limits. Despite his limitations in traditional formats like pen and paper, he really puts a lot of effort into his concept. For one, Lacy makes comics with the 3D modeling software Daz3d. But unlike a number of other CGI based comics like The Gentle Wolf or Merceneiress, Lacy works with both Daz3d and Clip Studio Paint to make his characters look more unique. This not only makes characters look less uncanny, but they also look expertly hand drawn; well with a few flaws. Some of the models look so androgynous, it gets easy to notice the same models used repeatedly. This is especially the case for the soldiers who barely look distinct to tell apart.
Also Lacy’s method of a flying cyborg shark is thoroughly researched to make it as applicable as possible. At least as far as eating shark’s food to make into jet fuel. It’s actually pretty comparable to the Underworld film franchise’s dedication to practical effects. Plus the way the directives can get in the way of fuel supply as well as USS Gnasher’s need is pretty compelling. But hey if Deep Blue Sea means anything, giving a shark with human-level intelligence some guidelines can be a lifesaver. There’s a genuine sense of love into this concept and having a good time while doing it.
Bring On The Camp!
Shark of War is a very campy title; the scenario is so exaggerated, that nobody really takes it seriously. I mean a few soldiers who saw Gnasher can’t believe it when he helps them. But what makes these five issues notable is how the characters take it all in. This naturally includes Gnasher himself, a rather simple creature acting on his natural instincts and his AI interface. This point-of-view adds to one of the appeals of badfilm, applicable perspectives to events. With how many times sharks are made to be monsters, Gnasher’s POV makes him sympathetic. Gnasher is still a dangerous animal, but the way he grapples with decisions and speaks to his AI support has a grotesque cuteness to it.
I mean it sure does pay off to some characters like Daniel Aguado, a boy Gnasher saves after a bit of deliberation. Between playing with the animal bond trope, the series takes care to remind readers there’re things to get used to. So fair warning, prepare to see Gnasher eating a baby sea lion.
Cuz Characters Are Memorable
There’re plenty of other characters to make note of including Daniel’s sister, Marissa. Aside from having one of the more distinct human designs, she’s a very complex straight man. As the only remotely normal character, Marissa’s reactions to everything feel authentic. Like anyone, she just wants to get through her life as best as she can despite her situation. Being the only one to look after her and her brother, she has a lot to hope for. Even being the devout catholic trope feels natural in this circumstance. So when she has to steal a boat from a cartel to help out a cyborg shark (Daniel insisted), there is some high suspense. If there’s a good character to an audience POV, it’s probably Marissa. Probably because Ensign Trent Calder might be a little too gung-ho.
As for the other characters, the campiness comes in bounds, especially in the mad scientists that created Gnasher. Dr. Raye Fischer is the textbook definition of the archetype compared his coworker Dr. Brooke Douglas. Having two scientists does break the mold when it comes to depictions though. Every real scientist has specialties in applied fields, even when they overlap. Because even eccentrics need somebody to buffer out limitations. At least until egos clash and their respective arcs go in different directions.
Especially Villainous Arcs
But now let’s go into how villains thrive in Shark of War. For pretty obvious reasons, Brooke is the main antagonist in how she sets events into motion. She’s rather cartoonish in execution and I love her for that. Because after Gnasher, she reapplies the technology onto piranhas. For anybody waiting for that crossover with some shark movie and the Piranha franchise, this will probably scratch an itch. And who gets the best use of this technology? A cartel lead by the equally cartoonish Lobo Tiburon. With how these two get high off their success, readers can feel that sense of euphoria coming off of their chemistry.
But now let’s go back Dr. Fischer. In his initial appearance he’s more than eager to take credit for others’ work. But maybe that’s because he’s got his own ambitions so he throws distractions people’s way. …Nah, he’s just throwing his frustrations at Brooke because there’s a chance his secret plan will be discovered. But it’s that dynamic that arguably leads to Fischer’s uniquely compelling development. With Fischer shot dead by Brooke, that secret project to find functional immortality ironically makes him more compassionate; enough to put himself at the risk of the Navy he embezzled from. Who knew being organs in jars and a living base could do that?
Shark of War Waiver
I could go on about Shark of War‘s strengths, but I gotta talk about some other stuff too. I mean, one character Lupita Tiburon is practically a critic’s stand-in with how she reacts to events. That says a lot about her role in this series’ first outing, she’s a well layered character who makes good plans. But Lupe’s contributions are pushed to the side without seeing her implementations’ full effect; the human labor and pack mules shields she proposes rarely show up. By the ending, it feels like her character is reserved for a hopeful sequel.
Finally I gotta talk about the ships and some of the settings. Unlike the character models, a number of objects look absolutely uncanny. A few boats, guns, and other tools have no texture or shading making them look distracting; even the ocean surface looks kind of dull without waves. But personally, I couldn’t find a reason to mind, maybe it helped evoke that low budget B movie appeal.
Get Your Shark of War!
Shark of War has best feelings of a sharksploitation B movie. The concept is simple and greatly appealing with the amount of work put into it. Most of the characters are entertaining to overcome a few flaws. Plus when a B plot develops into something that attracts readers attention, it’s worth a reread. Also it never takes anything too seriously save for a few pages that go into shark facts. For a first comic, there are going to be some growing pains to notice. But that doesn’t erase all of the love put into this project. As a whole, this five issue series gets 8/10.
Thanks for coming to the end and consider supporting the kickstarter: http://sow.bitingcomics.com/. As always remember to look between the panels.