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"Longshot" by writer Ann Nocenti and artist Arthur Adams harkens back to a simpler time in the comic book marketplace. The series originally published as a six issue mini-series from September 1985 to February 1986 has been collected into a new trade paperback from Marvel Comics. Nocenti pitched the idea to an editor and the book was an immediate go. Now such a comic would need to be passed through committee after committee before seeing the light of day. The simpler publishing practice allowed for great creativity in a book that is a highlight in the early careers of Nocenti and Adams and still maintains its charm and relevance.
The story begins with Longshot on the run from demons in his own world when suddenly he "falls" through the sky into Upstate New York. His astounding luck prompts the people he meets to name him Longshot because he can't remember his own. Throughout the series Longshot bounces from place to place as the mood strikes him on a journey of self-discovery.
Longshot is about innocence and his naivety and lack of cynicism puts him in more trouble than he expects. Listening to a conspiracy theorist, a movie stunt woman and a suicidal, down on his luck man generates the adventure the character seemingly craves. All the while Longshot yearns to know who he is.
The principle of the series is stated by Nocenti in her original pitch for the series, "Who is Longshot? That's what he'd like to know!" The only characters that seem to be able to answer Longshot's questions are the various demons that are trying to kill him.
What Longshot discovers is that he was created to be a humanoid slave to the spineless Mojo, the sinister looking jaundiced blob who gets around on a spider-legged cart. Longshot's creator, Arize, gave him free will in the hopes he would one day rise up and lead a rebellion against Mojo. Longshot doubts his purpose but is reassured when Arize tells him, "Existence precedes essence." It is a profound statement about the predetermination of life and it is something that Longshot struggles with. His ability to choose his own path is what gives Longshot the advantage over Mojo when the spineless one arrives on Earth.
Through out the story the artwork keeps the tone of the innocent freedom fighter who follows the path in front of him without understanding the purpose. The penciled work is highly detailed with a style that was not prevalent in the comics of the day. This style is what has made Adams one of the most highly sought after artists in the comic book industry.
The characters come across beautifullyon the pages, most notably in Longshot. The lead's looks and ability to make women weak in the knees is a key component of the character and Adams captures this. The figures all have an animated flare which adds to the whimsy of the story.
Where Adams really goes wild is in the designs of Mojo and the demons that are chasing Longshot. Mojo looks menacing even though he resembles a modestly molded slab of Play-Doh.
The look of the ram-man, Quark, was one that excited Nocenti so much that when she saw it she created more for him to do. It is a look that conveys nobility but also captures the depressing nature of the character who works opposite of Longshot's happy go-lucky persona.
Even the six-armed Spiral has a certain beauty that belies the torture she has received at the hands of Mojo. The design is unique and applicable to her crazy dancing that allows her to bend the walls of the universe. Her personality is even more interesting as she trades quips with Mojo that reveal her disdain for the amorphous blob while continuing her servitude to the vile creature.
Adams is inked by two inkers who have gone on to long careers in comics Whilce Portacio and Brent Anderson. Each one uses a minimalist approach as their styles are almost indistinguishable from the other allowing Adams' original pencil work to come through on the page.
The series is a nice package of great looking artwork and a solid story about an adventurous rebel who discovers his true calling and must decide to face his destiny. The series is entertaining as it allows the main character to take his journey of self-discovery in an irreverent manner. Cameo appearances by Spider-Man, She-Hulk and Doctor Strange set the series firmly in the Marvel Universe.
Establishing the careers of Nocenti and Adams was not the only lasting effect of "Longshot." The character skyrocketed in popularity at the end of the 1980s when he was inducted into the X-Men in "Uncanny X-Men Annual" #10 (1986). The character was a member of the team when it was the highest selling comic book in the world. The villains from the series, Mojo and Spiral, have gone on to have big roles in the Marvel comics over the last couple of decades. Longshot has become a regular in the "X-Men" spin-off series "X-Factor."
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Antonio Carlos Martins de Araujo
Longshot - A Estrela da Sorte.
Reviewed in Brazil on May 17, 2019
Antonio Carlos Martins de Araujo
Reviewed in Brazil on May 17, 2019
Adoro o personagem Longshot (da Marvel), e sempre quis esse Especial dele, tanto que até arrisquei comprar esse material no Kindle, mesmo não curtindo leituras digitais, prefiro edições físicas. Observem na imagem que existem algumas paginas com impressões minúsculas... No celular até que dá pra fazer Zoom, mas no computador tá meio difícil de achar essa função, por isso estou dando apenas três estrelas, não pela HQ em si, mas sim pelas funções da plataforma no PC que são bem limitadas.
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