Livewires

(Marvel, 2005)
™ and © Marvel Characters, Inc.

Every few years, Marvel Comics introduces a title or whole line of books either set in the future or dealing with original characters and new themes. This book is part of such a venture, the “Marvel Next” line, and although set in the Marvel Universe, it has the look and feel of something brand new. This originality is thanks both to its manga style of art, rare for Marvel, and high-tech concept. Project Livewire is a secret government project involving artificial intelligence in humanoid form combined with “combat mecha” technology. Its purpose? To destroy other top secret research programs.

Members of the project find themselves dealing with their humanity, or lack thereof, almost as often as enemy programs. Adam Warren provides both writing and layout for this smart, entertaining series.

— Andy Richardson

From The Comics Buyer’s Guide:

Hollow Point, Ninja, Gothic Lolita, Cornfed, Stem Cell, and Social Butterfly are a teen gang of next-generation Life Model Decoys (aka “Nanobuilt human form combat mecha”) with a tenuous connection to S.H.I.E.L.D. who are sent on a top-secret search-and-destroy mission targeting the usual suspect bunch of organizations bent on world domination.

Be forewarned, this is more or less a continuation of Adam Warren’s work on both The Dirty Pair and Gen 13, so expect the same formula of outrageous cyberpunk concepts and high-impact action sprinkled with rich dialogue. These Livewires may be every bit as artificial and attitudinal as Gen13 but are definitely a lot more fun.

With its nervy blend of SF, humor, and drama, finally there’s a Marvel manga-sized volume that might actually appeal to manga fans. If it has a fatal flaw, it’s the size to which it’s been reduced; it renders Warren’s signature multiple little text boxes unreadable. Moreover, the ending won’t leave the reader feeling all warm and fuzzy.

— S. A. Bennett

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