One nation under Grodd
Thursday, June 16, 2011 at 8:43PM 
Flashpoint: Grodd of War #1
Sean Ryan writer
Ig Guara pencils
Ruy Jose inks
Stefani Rennee colors
Carlos M. Mangual letterer
Francis Manapul w/ Brian Buccellato cover
DC Comics $2.99
When I first looked over the Flashpoint spin-off titles I put Grodd of War at the bottom of the must read list. I’ve never been that big into talking gorillas in comics, I know I’m in the minority there, and my other thought with this being a one shot is how much story we could get of it. And there wasn’t a promotional pin offered, not cool DC Comics not cool. So against all of that I still put $2.99 down for Grodd. When I was finished reading this comic the only thing I didn’t like was that it was only a one shot. We’re left with a cliffhanger that’ll make the Atlantis / Amazonian war interesting. I can only hope that it’s picked up somewhere else.
;)
The story was great, I’ve seen the Aquaman vs. Wonder Woman conflict mentioned in all the various Flashpoint comics but this was the first look into what’s happened in Africa. It has become a scary place with Grodd in control but even more dangerous is that he’s become bored. This issue has a few shocking moments, the kid rebels, Congorilla, and Catman, pure pure Catman. Every couple of pages there’s that moment that hits you in the face and by the end of it you realize no character is safe in this world.
I was pleasantly surprised to find Ig Guara penciling this title. Previously from Lockjaw and the Pet Avengers, his renditions of animals are just as convincing but as the story and settings dictate the art is so much darker. The whole art team together created an intense mood that made this comic standout. Backgrounds were filled with rich details, the violence was horrific, but at its center there was emotion that shown through.
I may have had low expectations for Grodd of War but I came away with wishing there would be more to read. Definitely recommended, even without a pin.