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The Old Guard (2020)
The Old Guard (2020)
2020 | Action, Fantasy
Stop-me-if-you've-heard-this-one-before cartoon action fantasy. A squad of ass-kicking immortals find themselves menaced by nasty soulless corporate forces while they induct a new member.

Basically, Highlander for our times: competently put together and not without moments of interest, but basically all a bit dour and calculated when it comes to sending the appropriate messages (bad guys are straight white dudes and vice versa, for instance). Not much sense of romance, fun, or actual fantasy, which just makes the lack of a coherent backstory more noticeable (why do some people attain the film's peculiar state of immortality? They Just Do). Best not to worry too much about the plot, try to ignore the messaging, and just enjoy the production values and fight choreography.
  
So, if you've read my reviews of Vols 1-2 of Jeff Lemire's BLACK HAMMER, then it goes without saying that SHERLOCK FRANKENSTEIN.. would be a win, right? Not so. Let me elaborate..

The writing was top notch, nothing less than the almost always exemplary writing that we've come to expect from Jeff Lemire. The art, however, not good. I was not previously familiar with David Rubin's art, but after this, I have no interest in seeking works by him.

The art was silly, almost cartoon. Not like Dean Ormston's. It took away from the story as a whole, making it feel like a pantomime or something. Again, not a good artist choice for any future BLACK HAMMER-related projects! If not the disappointing art, I would definitely have given this five stars!