Written by Alan Moore & Chris Sprouse
Art by Alan Moore; Chris Sprouse; Karl Story; Matt Hollingsworth; & Todd Klein
Cover Art by Chris Sprouse; Al Gordon; Matt Hollingsworth; & Todd Klein
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Ring of Fire!,” this 32-page issue was published by America’s Best Comics for March 2002. Set in Millennium City (October 2001) during the early morning hours, a fire alarm inside the Stronghold soon alerts Tom & Dhalua Strong that their daughter, Tesla, has been abducted. After retrieving video surveillance from the Pneuman robot’s memory banks, the Strongs and Solomon (wearing crystalline/synthetic diamond armored suits) launch a subterranean pursuit to rescue Tesla. While her would-be rescuers tangle with the underground Salamanders, Tesla finds herself awkwardly reunited with the lava-powered Chukulteh.
REVIEW:
Anchored by consistently solid visuals (including a Fantastic Four-like cover), Tom Strong # 15 is reminiscent of kid-friendly Silver Age storytelling. In their roles, Dhalua and Tesla Strong are intriguing, as is Solomon. Yet, most of the time the Reed Richards-ish title character isn’t, in part due to so little charisma. As a virtually perfect super-genius, there isn’t anything compelling or distinctive about Tom Strong in this issue beyond his concerned father angle.
The same applies to an under-developed Chukulteh. It’s plausible that humans wouldn’t understand his seemingly alien language, but the script doesn’t do enough to make his character appealing, either. Still, co-writers Alan Moore and Chris Sprouse devise an interesting abduction twist re: whether or not the Strongs’ suspicions are ill-founded. Tom Strong # 15 isn’t memorable, but it’s still a worthwhile read with a few nice surprises.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
A two-page “Strongmania” letters-and-answers column includes a small sketch cover preview of Tom Strong # 16.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
