Death or Glory – 2018-2020 (Image Comics) – Action, Adventure
Author: Rick Remender
Art: Bengal
Series Contents: Death or Glory #1-11
A “Mad Max” style adventure plays out in Death or Glory. In the near future, convoys of truckers ride across the U.S. protecting what is left of their freedoms and delivering needed goods. Enter Glory Owen, a young but tough mechanic raised by her father in this convoy environment.
Story:
Glory Owen has spent her life learning the trades of cars, trucks, engines, repairs, guns and survival on the open roads. These skills will come in handy during a fast-paced engine-roaring adventure that she is about to get swept up into. Her father Red was a great teacher, however he also instilled in her that she will always get rejected from groups where she doesn’t belong, and should stay with “her people.” The world will let you know where it wants you, so find that place.
While Glory and Red have settled in a small home and run a mechanic shop near a freeway, life seems manageable, despite Red’s declining health. Glory never knew her mother, but the pair has gotten by so far. She tried marriage, but her ex Toby is a piece of snively work. She focuses on the good times, and spending it with her father. Times are okay. That is until a doctor gave Red some grave news, and the need for a new liver. He has about a week or so left to survive, but money is tight and spare human livers are not aplenty.
Meanwhile, at a Burger Boss location in Yuma, Arizona, society seems to be hanging on to the past with employees slinging fast food. However… late one night in walks a strange man Mr. Rime who requests one-hundred twenty-three cheeseburgers. With three minutes to closing time, and this gigantic order does not sit well with the few workers present, and even the lone customer is confused about the situation.
The event does not resolve peacefully, as the insane burger-ordering psycho uses liquid nitrogen to end some people’s lives, while preserving the organs inside their bodies. Criminal dealings are afoot! As connections between characters begin to form, it is clear that Glory has a very small window to help Red, and keep herself alive. Maybe she can land an new liver down in Mexico, if she can get there in time…
This is just the spark that kicks off a high-octane road-tripping thrill-filled adventure on the roads. Criminals, psychos, cops, luchadores, nuns, guns, explosions, civilians, ex-husbands and more whip up in a fiery whirlwind of chaos as Glory hits the streets with one goal in mind: save her father Red.
Art:
I have seen a bit of Bengal’s work and it is always pretty solid. In this case it is excellent and fits the fast-paced vibe of this comic series perfectly. Slick looking vehicles whip with motion, blood splatters with freedom, characters show plenty of emotion and action plays out smoothly while tires kick up dust. The series absolutely demanded an artist which could show the chaos of its action well, and in such it plays out like an action film on the pages.
Reasons to Read:
The story presented is always entertaining and surprising, even if the core plot has been seen before. The wild characters keep everything on edge, and when the action scenes hit all bets are off. While it was surely inspired by Mad Max and its ilk, Death or Glory presents itself as its own unique tale full of insanity and with some heart mixed in. The pairing of Remender and Bengal works very well for this short series, so give it a quick run and put the pedal down.
Similar Titles:
Kali; A Righteous Thirst for Vengeance; Deadly Class; 100 Bullets; Kill or Be Killed; Criminal