Writers: Chuck Dixon and Erik BurnhamArtists: Hugo Petrus, Casey Maloney, Alberto Muriel and Guiu Vilanova
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Collects: The A-Team: War Stories -- Hannibal, B.A., Face, Murdock
This trade collects four one-shots released as tie-ins for the Joe Carnahan movie, highlighting each member of the A-Team in action-adventure character spotlights from before they all met.
I read this before the film came out, I re-read this after I saw the film, and I re-read it again recently after the DVD release. What did I think each time?
Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.
Excusing some poor continuity with regards to the movie, this is a perfect companion piece. The dialogue is snappy, the action outrageous and the characters spot-on. Although at times it seems like the action sequences might be better suited for film, and don't really take advantage of the medium, this is really all about the members of the A-Team -- who they are, not what they do.
Hannibal's story features a crazy kidnapping involving his trademark disguises, brilliantly capturing the heart of the old show. I can really see them channelling George Peppard in the characterisation here, but with the necessary edge that Liam Neeson brought to the role as well. Hannibal is just the right amount of crazy, and awesome to boot. The artwork is appropriately gritty, but Hannibal's face, while showing great expression, seems a little too realistic compared to the rest. Regardless, the entertaining side-dialogue in this story is very amusing, and the balls-to-the-wall plot never takes itself too seriously, hitting the tone right on the nose from the start.
In B.A.'s chapter they have gone for a very Mr. T inspired "tough guy with a heart of gold" parable, where the tough guy in question handles an illegal arms deal the best way he knows: With fists. The (golden) heart of this story is in the right place, and worn on a sleeve, but sadly offers absolutely nothing else on the side to keep us from guessing at the outcome. Beautifully, almost painted, art here, but it kinda seems out of place when compared with the "by the numbers" story.
Face's tale sees the charming con-man forced to procure his commanding officer a motorcycle or face (heh) court martial for his numerous scams. This is all character work here, as we sweat while watching Face get closer and closer to the bike, encountering various obstacles along the way. Hardly an original plot, but the excellent action sequence near the end, and the punchline of the whole story, makes up for it.
If you liked the TV show, or the movie, then it is difficult not to love Murdock. And the crazy fool's story might just be the best of the bunch. Firstly, the art is that genius blend of both cartoony and gritty that does not always work so well. Aside from a few blank faces (which may be on purpose, I don't know), this tale manages to pull it off. The plot is recounted to us by Murdock as he tells his doctor how he came to be institutionalised. As one can imagine, it is appropriately hilarious in all the right places, but tinged with an afterthought of doubt as we find out how unreliable Murdock might be. It is always difficult to write crazy characters without straying into complete nonsense, but this story hits it just right, and leaves us appreciating Murdock all the more for his (perceived) insanity.
Like the movie and the TV show, The A-Team: War Stories may not be Shakespeare, but dammit it's a helluva lot of fun.
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