Metal Gear Solid

#6

Why wasn’t this created sooner? I’m sure that experts will ponder this quandary for years to come, but whatever the reason, we have it now. And that’s a good thing, because whether you’re an old fan of the series, or new to the whole tactical espionage thing, this is a comic book worth checking out. Metal Gear Solid is the story of an old Fox Hound agent David Pliskin, codenamed Solid Snake. (Fox Hound is a super secret special government Special Forces squad). Snake is called in because he is the only person alive that can stop a list of prestigious terrorists (a group including several old Fox Hound members, a gigantic, voodoo using, gatling gun wielding, monster of a man known as Raven, a mind controlling wraith-like psychopath called Psycho Mantis, and their mysterious leader) from launching several nuclear missiles for some general terrorist type fun. So Snake comes out of retirement to do some more world saving and maybe recapture a little of the glory days. Using some high tech gadgetry, he actually swims into the Alaskan base that the terrorists have hijacked and sneaks his way into where the DARPA chief is being held prisoner. (The chief has info that can help Snake stop the large weapon platform called Metal Gear, or Rex, that the terrorists are using to launch the nukes). Unfortunately, just when the chief is getting interesting, he has a heart attack. Talk about bad timing, one would say it’s almost too convenient… So, the undaunted Solid Snake sneaks further into the base in order to find info that can end this crisis (with the help of an undercover agent named Meryl), but when he finds Hal Emmerich, the head engineer, he is attacked by a robot ninja, no kidding.

Written by Kris Oprisko, this adaptation stays very close to the story and dialogue in the game. (In fact, those who played the game will find that much of the dialogue is taken straight from the game). But in this well-done comic, it seems well thought out and very cool, unlike the poor voice acting in the game which just seemed silly. Oprisko has gone further that this and has filled in the holes the game left making a grand story. Ashley Wood has done an amazing job on the art as well. Wood has done many other projects, and I am always glad to see her artwork. It has to be one of the most amazing styles I’ve ever seen. Just take a look at the cover, if ye doubt me. Her striking and dynamic artwork is a mix of sketching and paintings that is both unique and amazingly expressive. I mean, come on. Look at the cover. Come on, that rocks and you know it.

In issue #6, Snake is attacked by what looks like a robot ninja, but actually is a guy in a bionic suit of some kind. The deranged sword wielding maniac does some freaky spasming accompanied by sparks and screams, and then asks Snake to fight him. Apparently, the Ninja has been searching for Snake for a while, and the reason seems to be just to fight him. Snake obliges with some bullets, but the Ninja blocks them effortlessly and taunts Snake for relying on a gun. Snake asks him what he wants and he responds in spectacular, lunatic fashion, “nothing so trivial as revenge, a fight to the death… I will kill you or you will kill me, either way it doesn’t matter.” Snake finally gets the idea and decks the robo-nut a hardcore block across his chin, battle ensues. After trading some bone-crushing blows, Snake recognizes the man inside and mentions that he died in Zanzibar. The Ninja tries to remember his death and freaks out again with sparks and shouting and runs screaming from the room. Snake asks H.Q. about Gray Fox, the Ninja’s former self. It seems that the Colonel was under the same impression, but Naomi informs them that after they retired, Grey Fox’s body was kept barely alive and used for gene therapy experiments. It seems he broke out and his memory is slowly being eaten away. Meanwhile, the leader of the terrorists sends the disturbing, floating, gasmask wearing Psycho Mantis to use his powers to drain Snake of his info.

With its amazing artwork and noir espionage story, this is definitely a unique comic. Though it may be a little much to take in, trust me when I say that you’ll like it.