Spector: Not corrupted
Author: Doug Wagner
Artists: Carlos Ezquerra (p. 3-22) and Dan Cornwell (p. 23-102)
Colorist: Dylantigue
Letter: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Rebellion
No one satirizes law and justice like Doug Wagner or Carlos Ezquerra. Their most important creation, Judge Dread, is essentially the “points and laughs” ock lol for police in America and the UK. There, judges first roam the streets and do not ask questions while giving off a thousand years of sentences to criminals of all kinds. With this icon under their belt, the announcement of a new comic by the Powerhouse team on robot detectives, which are programmed to be corrupted, titled Spector, made everyone think we are part of the Dread Formula variant.
This will not allow you to move far from the truth. Specter is perhaps the most satirical Wagner and Ezkera, and the sci-fi future they portray is more terrifying and plausible than what was portrayed in the dread comics. That’s probably why this story invites so much humor. It’s easier to not only scream in fear, but also laugh at your imminent fate.
Quick note. With Ezkera’s death, artist Dan Cornwell was brought in to finish the story. Although there are differences in style, Cornwell is able to capture Ezkera’s vision well. The book is cohesive and celebrates the original design.
Spector follows a robotic detective who is programmed to be immune to bribery and corrupt effects in future cities. The robot passes through the Spector and looks like an old-fashioned American ex-s who crossed with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Terminator. He tries to learn some jokes, like a time travel robot, to have more to do with his flesh and blood counterparts. His presence has not encountered the enthusiasm of human police officers. Given the level of unethical descent that is not checked in the department, officers don’t feel that they can avoid daily guilts without rattling them off by the Spectre.
Given the confusion, a good cop caused by existing cops spends the entire story that avoids character assassinations and regular assassinations plots when trying to clean up the system. To get things started, he is surrounded by the murder of a politician, making sure that the public relations nightmare due to this is sufficient to order an official shutdown of the robotics operation. From there, things escalate.
The comics employ an episodic structure from a case perspective, but they are all connected to each other and built towards a larger story that comes together in the final story. However, each chapter is more ridiculous than last time, and as a result it is more satirical.
Wagner’s script delights the author and the lifelong fans of 2000ad, and it feels like a bit of a throwback. The ethical dilemma of robots taking over legal obligations is not lost here, but instead it is a bit simplified to comment on how difficult it is to make sure that good things are good for society. The solution is the creation of an artificial being, which speaks a lot about what humanity cannot do to adhere to simple moral norms. Still, Wagner argues this within a classic sci-fi framework that matches Isaac Asimov more than the current debate on artificial intelligence.
This is not a story about the dangers of AI. Spector is ultimately about moral expectations and whether non-corruption powers have an opportunity to improve things. Wagner seems to think that goodness is filled with resistance, regardless of the form it takes.
This is where Spector completely differentiates himself from the dread. Wagner notes that robot detectives represent the dangers of free law making and the ease with which law enforcers can fall into fascistic behavior when they are in positions of power (see Dread). Instead, Spector talks about the importance of keeping a line about moral and ethical behavior. That being said, it shows how difficult it is to follow the rules and how difficult it is for everyone to absolutely hold responsibility for their actions. In other words, unless you’re a morally healthy robot. In that case, you’re fine.
Ezquerra and Cornwell capture this well, leaning on a slightly aggressive slapstick partly to get things lively. They channel an excess level that reminds you of Robocop. The robots appear to kill machines with violent settings set to Ultra, and they pose a serious threat to what is in their way.
Surprisingly, the creative team equips the Specter with some nifty abilities to fight these bad bots, so they borrow very freely from the Inspector Gadget Playbook here. For example, he can reach to reach higher places and pick up the bad guys from afar. Spare parts are always free to use if he takes combat damage. It is playful and allows for some truly athletic sequences that bring out the best in both artists. It’s clear that everyone enjoyed making this manga.
Spector is like a tasty guitar riff from the best ever in the industry. It’s fun, there’s something to say and reminds longtime fans of what the legend can still pull out on comic pages. Ultimately, knowing that you won’t get a new Ezkera comic in the future, it’s bittersweet in the end. But he left us with the last big hit ride, reflecting the greatness of the last piece.
Verdict: Purchase
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