The Interman
Published by Octopus
128 pages
$19.95.

Van Meach does jobs for people; hard-to-do jobs. In fact, he has a reputation for doing the impossible, like recovering the nosecone of a downed satellite from the ocean floor, with no help or equipment. Or, single-handedly rescuing an expedition team from K2, the world's most savage mountain. You see, Van is...special. He's an "adapter," the result of a genetics experiment, co-sponsored by five countries, which took place in the '60s. The project was meant to create agents who could "re-write their own DNA," and Van was a successful product. Now, however, he's being hunted by the forces responsible for his creation; he's a loose end, an agent unaccountable to them, and they mean to see that he's "shut down."

With the help of the famous naturalist Dr. Richard Keele, and an international hit man, simply called "Outcault," Van seeks to evade his pursuers, come "above ground," and find his "sister;" the only other operative created by the Interman project.

Creator, writer and artist Jeff Parker has a winner on his hands. Winning writing has created three-dimensional characters that are complex and full of surprises. Van is a powerful force, uncomfortable with abilities that are still a mystery to him.

Outcault is a savvy, secretive man, who, despite his aid, is still an unknown quantity whom Meach is wary of trusting completely. Then, there's May, the other product of Project: Interman; what is her secret? Will she be an ally to Meach, or his most dangerous foe?

Yes, winning writing has created great characters, and a nail-biting plot.

Winning art is the icing on the cake. Bold lines, expressive characters and beautifully rendered settings make this work almost as much fun to look at as it is to read. Almost. I've always believed that the best comics are story-driven; The Interman only bolsters that opinion.

Highly recommended for all but the youngest of readers, find it at comic shops, online auctions, or at www.theinterman.com.

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