The Weatherman #6 // Review
A neo-sci-fi drama straight from Image Comics and centered on one man trying to find redemption in a galaxy where he is unanimously hated. The Weatherman is set in the aftermath of a massive terrorist disaster, and the blame has been cast on Nathan Bright, a Martian weatherman who just wants to live his picture perfect life, but is caught up in a mind-bending quest to try and clear his name, as well as find out who he really is. All that and more are found within this sci-fi tale that came from way out of left field and could have easily been pulled from a scene in Heavy Metal. Created by writer and artist Jody LeHeup and Nathan Fox, with colors by Dave Stewart, the comic also includes its own soundtrack, which is accessible through SoundCloud.
Nathan is trapped inside of a strange contraption that looks like something from A Clockwork Orange, and it is keeping his soul caught right between life and death, which is causing him an insurmountable amount of pain. Meanwhile, all around him, his “friends” are trying to defend his lifeless body from terrorist insurgents and find a way to bring him back to the land of the living. Will they save the day or lose the only key they have that will help them stop the surrounding evil?
Jody Leheup brings it all in this no-holds-barred action comic, from the same mind that brought you “Shirtless Bear Fighter.” The action starts right at the beginning, instantly sucking the reader into a very awesome reminder of why fans love sci-fi. The intricacy of this comic story is half of the appeal, and this story definitely delivers, with its pseudo-western-style tale of redemption set against the backdrop of colonization and terrorism. The artistry provided by Nathan Fox really adds to the slightly comedic drama of the story, giving the blood and violence depicted within a cartoonishly light-hearted feel. Dave Stewart’s colorwork only adds to this feeling, with its vibrant hues. The work combined is reminiscent of something you'd find somewhere between the seriousness of Johnny Quest and the dark humor of The Venture Bros.
Full of pulp-fiction appeal and comic wit, it's easy to picture this story as a dime-store novel that could be found on the shelves next to HP Lovecraft and Edgar Rice Burroughs. This action-packed story kicks ass and takes names from start to finish, and delivers an immersive tale for the ages.