BRONZE AGE MINUTE: Doomsday +1 #2

Charlton; August 1975
Cover by John Byrne

Title: “A Faceless Foe”
Synopsis: A murderous cyborg sends a robot army after three astronaut survivors of the nuclear apocalypse, and their thawed-out, ancient friend.

Writer: Joe Gill
Penciler: John Byrne
Inker: Byrne

Review: As with the series’ debut, Doomsday +1 #2 isn’t a great comic, but it sure is a lot of fun. Joe Gill’s story gets off to a confusing start when his recap stops short of the current action, and some of the postapocalyptic tropes feel a bit stale. But the main story offers plenty of big punching while a budding love triangle adds a little drama. The real appeal, of course, is early art from comics legend John Byrne. While there is the occasional panel lacking polish, there are far more examples indicative of the brilliant career to come.

Grade: B+

Cool factor: Byrne + Robots = Cool. This has long been a comic book rule.

Notable: Also includes a one-page prose story titled “The Last Red Rage.” … This issue is reprinted, with interior panels used as a new cover, as Doomsday +1 #8.

Character quotable: “Kuno not fly! Kuno hunt! Kuno fish! Kuno not – fly!” – Kuno, offering a nice change of pace from “Kuno hurt!” and “Kuno kill!”

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