Marshal Law #3 - Epic Comics

MARSHAL LAW No. 3, April 1988

Focusing upon the first tussle between this mini-series’ titular character and The Sleepman, Pat Mills’ storyline for Issue Three of “Marshal Law” goes some way to show just how formidably powerful these two budding arch-enemies are in the dystopian future city. For whilst Joe Gilmore’s alter-ego never truly looks to be in trouble whilst battling the villainous “Scapegoat, Slugfest and company”, the cave cop arguably appears somewhat out-matched once his brutal brush with the facially-disfigured serial-killer gets all close and personal.

Indeed, despite “the government-sanctioned super-hero hunter” definitely taking his caped opponent down a peg of two, courtesy of a brick wall, a dustbin lid, and few socks to the face, it is disconcertingly the homicidal mass-murderer who eventually comes out on top after his deadly-looking mechanical claws constrict about Law’s throat and temporarily asphyxiate the law enforcement officer; “Meantime, Marshal… I’m going to let you live… So you can carry on your work… Ridding the world of filth like me.”

Just as enjoyable as Gilmore’s desperate attempt to apprehend the monster responsible for the brutal butchering of his lover Lynn Evans, is Mill’s quite wonderful team-up between the grieving former super-soldier and Public Spirit against Gangrene and his loathsome horde of green-hued desperados. Almost flinching at the mere touch of the population’s favourite hero upon his back as the pair stand shoulder-to-shoulder for a post-punch up publicity opportunity, even the most nonchalant of perusing bibliophiles can clearly tell just how irritated “the ultimate lawman” is with having to battle alongside the man he suspects of being San Futuro’s greatest threat.

Packing all these fights with plenty of bone-crushing impacts and brain-sizzling special effects is co-creator Kevin O’Neill, who genuinely seems to enjoy penciling panel after panel of insanely gratuitous violence as this comic’s combatants slug it out with one another toe-to-toe. Law’s epic clash with The Sleepman is irrefutably this book’s biggest draw, especially once the hooded slaughterer produces some sort of phosphorous hand-weapon with which to frazzle Marshal alive with. But even this publication’s more sedentary moments, such as when Gilmore goes shopping, contain plenty of ‘Easter Eggs’ and ‘in-jokes’ with which to delight those willing to scrutinize the illustrations whilst relishing a second or third reading.

Writer/Creator: Pat Mills, Artist/Creator: Kevin O'Neill, and Letterer: Phil Felix