Warlord #6
Published and © by DC, April-May 1977
Title: “Home Is a Four-Letter Word!”
Synopsis: A subterranean shuttle takes Warlord from Skartaris to the ruins of Machu Picchu, where he first meets future ally Mariah.
Writer: Mike Grell
Artist: Grell
Review: Mike Grell continues to introduce a strong supporting cast for Warlord, adding Russian archeologist Mariah Romanova to the mix. Grell is developing as an auteur comic-book creator, too. As a writer, his plots mine familiar genre trappings, but they’re infused with an enthusiasm that’s hard not to love. There are some nice touches of humor this issue, but also some logic flaws that undermine the overall story. He’s still stronger as an artist, though his anatomy continues to be a little “expressive” at times. Still, there’s little question Grell is the total package, and Warlord is a lot of fun.
Grade: B
Second opinion: “The ending … is a heck of a twist!” – Martin Lock, Comic Media News #30, March-April 1977
Cool factor: The introduction of Mariah. Can the addition of a smart, sexy redhead to the cast ever be a bad thing?
Not-so-cool factor: The jewel-eyed cat demon isn’t one of Grell’s better villains.
Notable: First appearance of Mariah Romanova.
Character quotable: “I apologize for bleeding on your floor, but if you pull that trigger, things are only going to get worse!” – Travis Morgan, making a solid observation
Editor’s note: This review was originally published by Comics Bronze Age on April 8, 2009.
