We’re now into the
second issue of the new Warlock, and the character’s beginning to
get somewhere. The splash page features Adam Warlock posed on a slab
of space debris glaring angrily at a giant spaceship hovering nearby.
“Death Ship!” it announces in shadowed block caps.
“Death Ship!” it announces in shadowed block caps.
Straight in with the power chords. |
This is more like it. If
the original run felt a bit like a cosmic version of Jesus Christ
Superstar, then this one is a like record by Yes, Rush or The Alan
Parsons Project. In this issue we get to see that Warlock now has a
much more of a heavy rock vibe to it than the worthy
efforts that went before.
Warlock makes a beeline
for the ship and is quickly captured. He’s imprisoned with a bunch
of freaky aliens who have been mysteriously expecting him. Like the
beautiful woman in the last issue, they believe Adam’s a messiah
who will lead them out of bondage.
An inspirational ballad. |
The Universal Church of
Truth are a kind of decadant fascistic cult, which reminded a bit of
Hawkmoon’s Granbretan, although more so of Termight from Pat
Mills’s Nemesis stories, with their devotional ways, hatred of
aliens and mix of sci fi and fantasy elements.
The story takes a
distinctly Moorcockian turn when Adam confronts Captain Autolycus,
the captain of the space ship and a Black Knight of the Church. Adam
is almost beaten in single combat by Captain Autolycus but at the
last moment his soul gem (the jewel in his forehead, or The Jewel inthe Skull, if you please) activates and sucks out Autolycos’s soul.
Wierdo psychedelic number - the drummer wrote it. |
Previously he’d used
the jewel to de-evolutionise the New Men of Counter Earth back to
their natural animal state; this is the first time it’s sucked
anyone’s soul out. Adam experiences Autolycus’s life and memory
in one big trip, and is subsequently gripped by horror and remorse.
Angsty gitar solo. |
From space Jesus,
Warlock has become space Elric. And Michael Moorcock even wrote songs
for Hawkwind, and put out an LP himself. That’s more than God ever
did!
That’s
anti-authoritarianism and angsty romanticism. The third leg of the
rock’n’roll is debauchery, provided by Pip the troll who appoints
himse as Adam’s side-kick. No more self-righteous groovy friends
for Adam.
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