Concrete 2

Now, I know that you have come to know me as a humorous reviewer, or at least you will when people start reading this stuff, but right now I am going to be serious with you. A lot of stereotypical, mainstream comics come and go throughout the years. Some of them stick, and some of them don’t. But, every once in a while I come across a comic that is so amazing, so well done, that I feel it is a tragedy that it is not revered as one of the greats. Paul Chadwick’s Concrete is new to me, but already I know that it will be one of my favorites of all time… Excuse me. Fumanchu needs some time alone…

Okay, I’m back. It does not do for Super Villains to get “misty” in front of their supporters. Anyway, I feel that I should inform you that all of Concrete's past series are now worth a great deal and are considered collectors items, but that is immaterial because I would advise you to read Concrete if it was as worthless as its namesake. The reason for this is simple; it is so damn good. It features an amazing and unique art style done by Chadwick that is full of obvious and subtle jokes for the attentive reader. It also has some of the best dialogue and story I have ever read in comics or in books. Concrete’s monologues and writings are brilliant, profound, and sometimes hilarious.

Concrete was a political writer who was abducted by aliens and made into a sort of living rock. This was, naturally, very hard on him and he is still finding it hard to adjust. He is extremely strong and durable, but he can barely feel and he cannot taste at all. He lives as a sometimes super hero, but spends most of his time adventuring, collecting art, or absorbed in existential ponderings. As far as the public is concerned he is the only survivor of a failed, cyborg experiment. He also has a small team of researchers that have devoted their lives to studying him, keeping him alive on his adventures, and are his close friends.

In the first Issue of "The Human Dilemma," Concrete is approached by Punchinello Pizza’s CEO, Walter Sageman to be his spokesperson for a campaign addressing overpopulation. The attempt is to fund young married couples that decide to not have children, and Sageman thinks that Concrete is the perfect person to head his efforts. After some thought, however; Concrete declines.

In The Human Dilemma #2, Concrete is searching for the original painting of "The Infinite Night." Then, Concrete and Maureen (researcher and close friend) decide to head down to the beach. After playing with some kids, Concrete goes out to a rock to be alone. It is obvious that Concrete is becoming depressed, and it seems like he has every right to be. On the way back home, there is a small car accident and the two drivers begin to fight. One pulls a gun and Concrete steps in to intervene, but he is too late. The man is shot and bleeds to death in Maureen’s arms. It then seems that Maureen’s brush with mortality has given her the incentive to do something she seems to have wanted to do for a long time… As the issue ends, Sageman finally enlists Concrete for his cause by finding him the original "Infinite Night."