The Guardian #1
Published and © by Spectrum, March 1984
Title: “Nightmoves”
Synopsis: Former vice cop Bobby Karras dons superhero tights to do the dirty work he knows needs to be done.
Writer: Fred Schiller
Writer (plot assist): Paul Wishinsky
Penciler: Tom Morgan
Inker: Bob Lewis
Review: It’s pretty obvious: Spectrum Comics really wanted to be Marvel. The good news is they do a pretty good impersonation here with The Guardian #1. Fred Schiller’s story is surprisingly strong. Though the main character doesn’t scream “ORIGINAL!,” the writer does a nice job introducing a varied supporting cast. He also has a good handle on pacing, ending the book with a cliffhanger. The art by Tom Morgan and Bob Lewis is wannabe Byrne, which isn’t a terrible thing. If The Guardian were a real Marvel title, it’d be a middle of the pack offering – but one with potential.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “With honesty winning out over leniency, I have to say that Guardian is not very good.” – R.A. Jones, Amazing Heroes #45, April 15, 1984
Cool factor: Its competence is refreshing.
Not-so-cool factor: A black assassin name The Spade? Really?
Notable: Not listed in The Overstreet Comic Book Price Guide.
Character quotable: “Come a little closer and I’ll cut you a mouth, Sock Head!” – Georgie, a pink-Afro-wearin’, white-boy thug
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on Oct. 8, 2009.
