Red One, Book Two: Undercover

Red One #3-4

by Xavier Dorison (Writer), Terry Dodson (Illustrator/Colorist/Translator), Rachel Dodson (Illustrator)

Vera Yelnikov returns to finish her battle with the Carpenter, and then this elite Kremlin agent must carry out her mission of becoming the new darling of America, by donning the costume of the superhero Red One!

RED ONE continues through 1977 Los Angeles in this funky superhero romp by XAVIER DORISON and TERRY DODSON.

Collects RED ONE #3-4 & bonus material in an oversized European-style hardcover.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Bande Dessinée

64 pages, Hardcover

First published June 29, 2016

About the author

Xavier Dorison est né en 1972 à Paris et passe trois années en école de commerce, où il organise le festival BD des Grandes Écoles, puis travaille chez Barclays Corp. Dès 1997, il écrit le premier tome du Troisième Testament, série co-scénarisé et dessiné par Alex Alice qui remporte un succès immédiat. Il publie ensuite deux séries aux Humanoïdes Associés : Prophet avec Matthieu Lauffray et Sanctuaire avec Christophe Bec. Il co-scénarise, avec Fabien Nury, le film Brigades du Tigre, qui sera également adapté en bande dessinée aux éditions Glénat avec Jean-Yves Delitte au dessin. Il co-scénarise, toujours avec Fabien Nury, le western fantastique W.E.S.T. mis en image par Christian Rossi. Et lance début 2007 une fresque pirate : Long John Silver. En 2008, il crée la série Les Sentinelles et participe au projet XIII Mystery, en scénarisant l'album sur La Mangouste. En 2008 également, il écrit Le Syndrome d'Abel pour son comparse Marazano, de retour au dessin. En septembre 2010, il s’associe à nouveau avec Alex Alice et commence la publication de l’antésuite du Troisième Testament, intitulée Julius, toujours chez Glénat. En mars 2012, paraît chez Dargaud le premier tome d’Asgard, série dans l’univers des vikings, dessinée par Ralph Meyer. En 2013 paraîtra chez Glénat une série coécrite avec son frère Guillaume Dorison.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 3 out of 5]

(B+) 77% | Good
Notes: A silly story, slightly strained, and short on subtlety, it's still a solid satire: sly and seductive in spite of shortcomings.

*Progress update

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sheer ‘70s socialist, aspiring soviet porn star, superhero nonsense. Deliberately enjoyable in the way of a favorite bad movie at the one dollar theater.

[47Time · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is what I get for trying to expand my reading horizons. Too many elements contradict themselves in this overly-extended comic to list them all. It's trying to be smart and funny, but the story is too weak for that. Come on! A clumsy Russian so-called spy that doesn't raise any eyebrows. Nobody in real life is that stupid. Bottom line - this comic is a joke. One that managed to get under my skin. It's genuinely a pain to read this drivel. The damn thing isn't even complete. Sign me up for NOT reading any more of this mess. There's other crap in my list that's far less crappy than this utter crap.

Vera's first encounter with the Carpenter isn't too encouraging. He is also superpowered, so he kicks her around quite effectively. A car chase ends with him driving his car off a pier. Still, their fight gives Vera the chance to save the Carpenter's latest victim which kickstarts an improvement in Red One's image. Jacky, one of the most annoying characters in existence, uses the publicity in her campaign for governor of California. The good guys want to combat Jacky with porn. What's not to love about this comic? Answer: just about everything.

Bible-thumping Jacky's organization idolizes the Carpenter, so they desperately want to make sure he's ok. Jacky wants to promote him as the new messiah for her blind followers. They threaten to use violence against Red One.

Vera needs a theme for her public image, so she turns to comics. Enter sterotypical nerds. Because only they read comics. After this ridiculous scene that has little support from Vera, she declares that she is working for the people. The people! She has no idea what Communism is about! What a dushe! Then she starts doing what's expected of superheroes - acrobatics that 'you don't see every day' and unnecessary killing of bad guys. Lost of killing like in the movies so she can get back to doing things her way.

After a few decapitations and dismembered limbs, Vera gets back to helping her employer film some porn. Even getting her own hands dirty for it. Get it? Hands? Dirty? If only the author focused more on that instead of the crappy superhero-spy plot. Oh, but then everyone on set gets arrested for Vera's promotion of the film while naked in public. What are we to do? If Jackey becomes governor, she will sit next to the Russian representative for SALT - some disarmament thing - and influence him into starting the Cold War with the US again.

The story is left high and dry at this point. That's just what this train wreck deserves.

[Paul Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent nonsense - well worth it.

This volume continues the story of Red One, the Russian superheroine, sent over to the US in 1977 to promote Soviet ways during the SALT talks. It deals with her confrontation with the religious fanatics and the Carpenter.

It's gloriously tongue-in-cheek, taking in the porn industry, Christian evangelism and Soviet manipulation. Nicely put together, it's fun - and how often can we say that of comic collections today?

[Barry Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Irreverent and beautifully drawn

[Christina Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

FANTASTIC read but highly likely to encounter a challenge in a school library or YA Services collection!

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

@

[Pavel Pravda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Xavier Dorison's stories and I love Terry Dodson's art. Additionally this story is really funny. I enjoyed it! I was disappointed that the story is not closed here. I read it in Polish.

[Ken Ransom · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vera Yelnikov returns to finish her battle with the Carpenter, and then this elite Kremlin agent must carry out her mission of becoming the new darling of America, by donning the costume of the superhero Red One and become America's greatest hero!