RAMGØD #1, by MASSIVE Publishing on 7/18/24, imagines a cyberpunk futures where the air isn’t always breathable, bank robbers use special tech, and the world’s most-watched sport hides a dangerous secret.
Credits:
- Writer: Morgan Rosenblum, Owen Rosenblum
- Artist: Canaan White
- Colorist: Ren Spiller
- Letterer: Ismail “Ni Hii” Nihad
- Cover Artist: Carlos Dattoli (cover A)
- Publisher: MASSIVE Publishing
- Release Date: July 18, 2024
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 34
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of RAMGØD #1:
First Impressions:
Morgan and Owen Rosenblum launch into an exceptionally detailed cyberpunk world to present readers with a crime thriller hiding behind the high-stakes world of team sports. On the whole, the Rosenblum’s give you a world ripe with potential that ends on a super-intriguing twist, but pacing issues take the enjoyment factor down a notch or two.
Plot Analysis:
Ramgod #1 begins in New City at some unspecified point in the future. Through the comings and goings of everyday life, we see that some districts have more breathable air than others, likely due to class distinctions and budget restrictions. In short, the rich breathe better than the poor.
One day, we follow a delivery man depositing at the New City Bank when the bank is held up by four bank robbers. The crime goes off without a hitch until one of the bank patrons pulls a gun and is shot in the ensuing gunfight.
All things considered, from the visual style and atmosphere to the sharp execution of the bank robbery, this issue will get you hooked from page one. Everything about New City’s architecture, functionality, and people looks thoroughly constructed and thought through.
The issue cuts to police officer Clint Bowler and his robotic partner, BC318 (318 for short). 318 keeps Clint on schedule, much to Clint’s annoyance when he’s trying to eat his Lunch and listen to the news. Clint hears about the bank robbery and is taken aback when he hears the man who was shot was Clint’s old instructor from the police academy.
Clint’s introduction likewise impresses by establishing a fully realized police duo with distinguishable personalities and rapport. Obviously, Clint will play a part in nabbing the bank robbers, so you get a clear, strong sense of his character and how he approaches his work.
Suddenly, the issue cuts to the final heats in the world’s most watched multi-discipline sport, Ramgod. Through multiple pages, we get a rapid-fire crash course in Ramgod as a tag team sport involving car racing on obstacle courses, hand-to-hand combat, endurance climbs, and more. When a player wins in one event, the victor earns “boosts” for his or her team to gain an advantage in the other contests.
On this night, the Barracudas face off against the Racers for the Championship.
Here’s where the comic is still interesting but unevenly paced. The mechanics and gameplay of Ramgod look like a lot of fun, like a real-life version of a video game, but the rules aren’t always obvious, and the gameplay goes on for twelve pages with no apparent connection to Clint or the bank robbery. It’s thrilling, action-packed filler, but it’s still filler in the way it’s presented.
The issue concludes with Clint picking up his son, a huge Ramgod fan, for his monthly custody visit and the revelation that the Ramgod participants and the bank robbery are connected.
Overall, this is an intriguing crime story set in a cyberpunk world where all eyes turn to the world’s biggest sport. The details are the selling point, from the character- and world-building to the execution of the individual scene. That said, the jarring transition to the Ramgod demonstration, detailed as it is, creates an uneven pace that throws off the plot.
Artwork and Presentation:
The detail and thought that marks the selling point of this issue is largely due to Canaan White’s miraculously rendered art. Every street corner, curve, and character glance looks like they were given equal amounts of attention, resulting in truly high-quality art.
Art Samples:
Final Thoughts:
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RAMGØD #1 begins a cyberpunk tale about a cop on the trail of bank robbers who may have a connection to the world’s most popular sporting event. The Rosenblums put in overtime to think through every facet of the world and characters to present an environment that feels authentic, while Canaan White’s miraculously detailed art is the highest of quality. That said, the plot suffers from pacing problems in the middle of the comic.
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