Originally published by Comical Opinions on May 25, 2023.
Sgt. Flag #2, from G-Man Comics, follows the government’s most skilled rescue and extraction agent as he’s stalked by reptilian mutants bent on revenge.
The Details
- Written by: Rik Offenberger
- Art by: Gilbert Monsanto
- Colors by: Gilbert Monsanto
- Letters by: Francisco Zamora
- Cover art by: Mike Gustovich (Cover A)
- Comic rating: Teen+
- Cover price: $5.00
- Release date: May 2023
Is It Good?
Sgt. Flag #2 is an odd capsule story from G-Man head honcho Rik Offenberger about a villain returning to kill Sgt. Flag to avenge the death of his partner at Sgt. Flag’s hands. We sometimes use the word “odd” as a nice way of saying “somewhere between okay and terrible,” but in this case, we truly mean “odd.”
Rik Offenberger’s script centers on Sgt. Flag becoming the target of a revenge quest by Omicronbie sometime after his partner, Fitch, was killed during a hostage rescue. That’s right. The name is Omicronbie (as in the Omicron strain of the COVID-19 virus), and the villain duo is named Omicronbie & Fitch after the clothing chain store. Right away, you get why the issue is a little “odd.” In the intro notes for the comic, Offenberger mentioned the name combination was inspired by events happening at the time the script was written. It’s unlikely anyone would have naturally put a virus strain and a clothing chain together to make a new villain, but it works in a weird sort of way, and that’s the kind of comic you’re in for.
Curious name combinations aside, Offenberger’s script is basic but solid. Flag rescues a hostage, a kidnapper dies in the rescue, and the kidnapper’s partner emerges later to take revenge. The pacing is likewise solid, the dialogue feels natural, and the action gets wilder once Omicronbie goes on the attack. If nothing else, the comic moves well, reads well, and exhibits oodles of imagination.
The minor downside in the writing is the lack of setup for the villains. No information is given regarding why they’re villains or why they look like anthropomorphic pterodactyls. If you thought their names were weird, they look even weirder, and it’s weird enough to be jarring.
How’s the art? Gilbert Monsanto’s style is a respectable homage to ’90s-era hero comics. The costume designs look EXTREME without getting obnoxious, and the action is full of energy. Monsanto’s inks are sketchy in spots, especially in wide shots, so the linework lacks consistent polish, but the comic looks good overall.
What’s It About?
SPOILERS AHEAD
We begin with Simon N. Kirby calling Sgt. Flag to the scene of a murder. Mr. Mystery is found stabbed to death with a warning written in blood on a nearby wall: “Sgt. Flag – You’re Next!” The murder appears to be the work of Omicronbie, a pterodactyl-shaped villain whose partner, Fitch, was killed some time ago when Sgt. Flag rescued Mr. Mystery from their evil clutches. Now, Omicronbie is back to finish what he started and get revenge for his partner.
Later, Sgt. Flag recalls the circumstances of Mr. Mystery’s rescue and how Fitch died. Convinced Omicronbie will attack when Sgt. Flag is most vulnerable, Sgt. Flag decides to relax at home to invite trouble.
We conclude the issue with an attack with an unusual weapon, a multiplying threat, and an explosive ending.
Final Thoughts
Sgt. Flag #2 is a standard yet creative revenge story about a villain looking for payback. The creative choices are unusual, but the plot is solid, and the art is okay. If you want ’90s-era aesthetics with out-of-the-box creative choices, consider picking this one up.
Score: 7.5/10