Review by Ian Keogh
Having spent his entire career avoiding superheroes, when Rich Koslowski turned his attention to them the results were innovative and ground-breaking. F.A.R.M. System explored the idea of superheroes being filtered like sports stars, in this case via an academy run by sleazy agent Alexander Ellison. Respected superhero Armor Man has long considered him dirty, and the way the first graphic novel ended has given them the ammunition for a series of court proceedings that open Rage. At the same time Ellison is losing new prospects to another agency. He may present as controlled in court, but he’s raging in private.
As before, this is an unexpurgated look at what goes on behind the scenes, Koslowski having built Ellison’s world strongly, and consistently takes intriguing paths. As in the first book, scenes switch frequently, but there’s a greater sense of building toward something in Rage, and soon apparent that the title doesn’t just refer to Ellison’s attitude toward his difficulties.
While taking the idea of superheroes seriously, it’s not a glamorous world Koslowski supplies. Armor Man is a deliberately positioned equivalent to Tony Stark and Iron Man, wealthy, respected and efficient, yet the costume is clunky and awkward, almost something someone would put together in their garage. In another aspect Koslowski takes his lead from sports, and shows the consequences of drug use to stimulate abilities. There’s consistent thought behind everything here, down to what Ellison considers essential when negotiating contacts, and again, Ellison is a brilliantly slimy creation.
A change from the first volume is Rage featuring an actual superhero battle. This isn’t the usual glossy showcase, but brutal and damaging with permanent consequences, written and drawn to be unpleasant. Rage, though, is also a compelling courtroom drama with effective window dressing, twisting toward a couple of stings in the tail. The stronger focus means Rage improves on a very good opening volume and proves there’s much mileage in Koslowski continuing the series.
