
This issue of Madman is split into two musically themed shorts. The stories integrate the cast and draw upon recent continuity. The second story sets up the series finale.
The first tale centers on Adam Balm's biggest fan. At first, she just appears to be a teenaged girl with a crush on a musical idol. Her focus on Adam soon becomes an obsession.
Frontman for the Atomics, Adam literally lost his mind in a previous issue, and he temporarily became an organic automaton. He did not become a zombie, which cinematically and traditionally are different types of creatures.
An old enemy exploits Adam's former condition to twist the protagonist's dreams into nightmares. "Last Night the Atomics Saved My Life!" is not a cautionary fable. It's a nasty little horror story that works smoothly in the Madman universe.
There's a good chance that the teenager would have in time gotten over Adam. She may have still appreciated his music, but she may not have looked upon him as an object of desire. Unfortunately, she meets the wrong people at the wrong time.
In the second story, Frank and the Atomics drop in for Open Mike Night at a club filled with personages of rock and roll legends spanning numerous eras. Frank's vocal renditions catalyze a number of events. The performance attracts a couple of players from The Gear. This leads to a discussion about the mysterious fate of their leader Red, son of Rocket Red. The Atomics' presence also nets a group of little girls from the Village of the Damned.
The second story is affable enough with a little slapstick at the end and Jo looking lovely, especially when swathed in Laura Allred's stunning colors. It however lacks genuine conflict. It's more of a slice of life vignette. The first story is more gripping. Joelle Jones' art enriches the short. Like Allred, she prefers a cleaner look for her final product, but her streamlined style differs sharply from that of Madman's creator.
What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!



