Review: Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, Issue #1 (Lion Forge Comics)

Written by Young Jeohn

How the future will turn out is anybody's guess, but in the world of Saber Rider, a galactic peace-keeping force called Star Sheriffs help the local law of different planets to keep the peace.

STORYLINE

In this first issue, sheriff Joshua Rider is called upon to check out a crime in progress as he flies to the scene on his metal steed. Speeding towards the runaway train, he tries to foil a robbery and finds that he can't stop these crooks from disappearing with the everything - including the train! What's more distressing is that the leader of these bandits appear to be one of their own - a star sheriff of the highest ability and rank, one who Joshua himself had looked up to during his time at the academy. Where did they go and how will he track down this hero turned criminal?

He's in need of help, and on this very human based planet, is joined by another human sheriff - a beautiful woman, the chief weapons designer and an expert on terrorist organizations such as the one he'd just encountered.

This world's timeline and location so far is a mix of old and new, with futuristic elements like flying horses, high-speed metal trains, laser weapons and 3D projecting helmets, but rooted in an old spaghetti western style feel as we see the bad guys in cowboy hats, ponchos and leather boots.

ARTWORK

The artwork feels influenced in part by manga, but more from modern American cartoons (like the animated Batman.) The general layout is ok and isn't too hard to follow, but to be frank, the character art looks stiff and blocky with feelings not registering well. 

For example, there isn't much variation in facial expressions, so you have to do your best to imagine (from your own experience) the feelings of grimace, surprise, fear, anger and so forth. It's the same open mouth, closed mouth, smile or teeth with an angry, cocked, or resting eyebrow for every face. Same goes for every movement and pose too - I mean, is the guy opening the door? Closing the door? Or is his hand just there to hold the doorknob because his hand is bored and needs something to do?

Outside of characters, the colors were well balanced and background art was good. Scenes were set well and there was never a question as to where the location was or what was happening.

CONCLUSION

Saber Rider's first issue is a little rough around the edges with a decent plotline that could have been helped by better artwork. While certain aspects of the artwork were good, the lack of experience when it comes to anatomy, movement and facial expressions took away too much for me to enjoy fully.

I was also confused at the beginning when I suddenly saw a blond headed guy appear out of nowhere, and wondered if this was a story arc. Turns out that after several minutes of going back and forth to figure out, this guy was the sheriff without his helmet! Then a few pages later, the helmet is suddenly back on and you're wondering, once again, did that blond guy just put his helmet back on or is this a new character?

With small but important transitions like these missing, my enjoyment of reading through the comic kept getting interrupted by my having to assume things that weren't explained.

I'll end by saying it's not the best comic I've read, but it's not a bad read either. I think the story could be interesting come future issues, and as artwork improves (which I hope is the case), it will definitely help in bringing the story to life.

FINAL SCORE

** 2 Stars (of 5)