The character of Norma is the very definition of ‘determined’. She hits the floor running and doesn’t allow the Truth to be swept under the carpet even though it will make her life easier. She shares that aspect of her character with Mulder from the X-Files. There’s isn’t any length that she won’t go to to get the Truth out into a world that doesn’t seem to care. At times it feels that her determination is ruling her life but the interactions with her cohort, Jesse Vernon, and the relationship she has with her parents help to round her character out and clarify her obsession.

Speaking of Vernon, have we seen the use of an aged Elvis one to many times? (I can think of several examples off the top of my head) The comic alludes to the characters more famous history but doesn’t rely on it for most of the story. In fact, you may wonder why it’s included at all but then a sequence at the end makes it all fit together. The fact that the narrative doesn’t constantly refer to the history of the character was a wise move and stops an over-used cliché weighing down the story. Instead Vernon’s hopelessly lost character is a wonderful accompaniment to Norma; he was wasting his life, hiding away until she came a long and ruined it. Then, without a purpose, he tags along like a second rate guardian angel helping out where he can.

There are plenty of other characters to fill the pages and Allor seems to revel in their creation and development. Most notably is Merc, the Sasquatch muscle for the Duma Group. He is a close friend of Joe (the origin of their friendship makes up the start of chapter 2) and seeks revenge on Norma when he believes that she has killed his close friend. Obviously it’s not that simple and Merc almost becomes a loveable rouge. He makes reference to being a Bond villain and once he gets his eye-patch he’s not far off it; apart from the little matter of being a Bigfoot.
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And there’s also Dr Milo whose sole purpose is to explain everything that’s going on. He is nothing more than a narrative technique in humanoid form. Although this is a useful tool, the character is somewhat frustrating and on occasion grates against the narrative.

For the most part the art work is thrilling and there is a real sense of adventure on each page. There are a few inconsistencies and occasionally a panel or expression falls flat but this doesn’t happen enough to stop the readers’ enjoyment of the work. As a general rule Juan Romera’s facial work is on the whole very expressive. The design work reeks of early B-Movie’s and is all part of the charm. This leads the reader to believe that the number of clichés embedded into both the script and the art are tongue in cheek references instead of tired retreads.

In the eight issues collected in this book, the first chapter is the hardest to get through. It feels longer than it is but once the momentum starts this series doesn’t let up. And the final part finishes off this first story satisfactorily while at the same time setting the scene for a crazier second act.
This has been written for the fans of the X-files or Mars Attacks or the EC Comics line from the 50’s and 60’s (especially Weird Science). Strange Nation is fun, intriguing and has some great character driven action. Once you get passed, or simple accept the clichés, then there are many enjoyable pages to get through. As comics go it’s not the most original or technically outstanding but not everything has to be layered with meanings; sometimes it’s good to make entertainment for entertainments sake.

Strange Nation Volume 1
Published by IDW Publishing
Written by Paul Allor
Illustrated by Juan Romera

If, like me, you have to order your comics at least two whole months in advance because your local comic shop doesn’t carry much stock then you will know that any review posted on the day of release is, in essence, two months too late. I already have the comic on order, ready to pick up. Technically, I’ve already bought it.

So, what is the point of a review? It can't sway my buying habits, as a general rule. A review posted on the day of release is as useful to me as a review posted two weeks after or even two years after. If what I am writing is already pointless, why bother? What is the best thing to do with all of these worthless words? How can I make them even more pointless?
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And so was born the idea for The Pointless Review. The intention is that I will collect old reviews and other writings, re-edit them and re-post them here. They will provide an insight into what comics I was reading and what I thought about them back then. 

Some of the comics reviewed may still be bought at comic marts or shops with an extensive back catalogue but for the most part I’m afraid you’ve missed the boat.