Comic Review: Helm #1

Helm #1

Story: Jim Hardison

Breakdowns: Bart Sears

Finishes: Randy Elliott

Colors: Dan Jackson

Letters: Dave Lanphear

Published by: Dark Horse Comics

What if YOU had a magical superpower...AND IT HATED YOUR GUTS?

The cover of Helm #1 asks that question and Mathew Blurdy is going to have to answer it. While several heroes have come into possession of evil artifacts and paraphernalia which worked contrary to their heroic intent, such as Spider-Man's symbiote costume and Marvel's Black Knight, Dane Whitman, whose Ebony Blade drove him ever closer to madness everytime it drew blood. Mathew Blurdy's new helmet, however, is not cursed or evil. It just doesn't like him.

Since the Helm is now bound to Blurdy until his death, it decides to see if he can turn the gamer geek into a valiant hero, or in the attempt if Blurdy gets killed, well, it'll be free for a new wearer more worthy to wear it.

That's the premise behind Jim Hardison hilarious new comic from Dark Horse. Blurdy, the 30 year-old who works in a video store and lives with his mother, is The Helm's straightman as it constantly barbs and berates the hapless loser, but still finds a way to impress, at least a little, the enchanted helmet. Will The Helm bring Mathew Blurdy out of loserdom and become the most unlikely Valhalladrim ever?

Bart Sears, Randy Elliott, and Dan Jackson shows us Hardison's story making us cringe at every Blurdy fat roll and butt crack. The Helm's facial expressions are priceless, and Sears's Blurdy, with assists from Elliott and Jackson, comes alive.

One of the things I appreciate about The Helm #1 is that the cover isn't just a pin-up. It's an altered version of a panel from inside the comic book, you know, like used to be common in the old days. I love it when comic covers actually tell me something about the story inside and wish it would be done more often *cough*DCandMarvel*cough*

If you haven't picked it up yet, prove yourself to be, as The Helm tells Blurdy, "neither as stupid nor pathetic as you first appear," and pick it up. According to DarkHorse.com, issue two comes out August 20th, so you have time to get this first issue before it comes out. Don't let destiny pass you by!

The Helm's MySpace page

Mathew Blurdy's MySpace page

The Helm Comic Site