Strontium Dog: The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha
Strontium Dog: The Life and Death of Johnny Alpha – John Wagner, Carlos Ezquerra (Rebellion www.2000ADonline.com)
There have been more than a few attempts to resurrect mutant bounty hunter Johnny Alpha after the character was killed off in the shameless balls-up that was ‘The Final Solution’, with ideas ranging from setting new tales that take place before his death or even ignoring his demise altogether. Well, back in 2010 John Wagner finally decided that it was time to settle the matter once and for all, and here is the result. The story begins when mutant journalist Precious Matson (previously introduced in the ‘Blood Moon’ saga) tracks down Middenface McNulty, Johnny’s former friend and one of the toughest of the Strontium Dogs, with news that the official account of how Johnny died may not be true. Suspecting a cover-up, the pair team up to find the few mutant rebels and norm bootboys who were the last to see Johnny on the day that he died, and quickly learn that his body was not left to rot in the demonic realm where he perished, but was brought back through the dimension gate by the surly, unpleasant mutant, Feral. It transpires that Feral took Johnny’s body halfway across the galaxy in the hope that mythical beings known as the Stone Wizards could restore him to life, but that he ultimately failed. Learning that Johnny’s body now lies buried on the planet Zen, Middenface and Precious dig up his coffin – only to discover that the sorcery which did away with him has also preserved his body, and left him in a catatonic, near-death state. Seizing the chance that Feral gave up on, the pair set off to finish the quest and beg the Stone Wizards to bring back their friend… what makes this work is the respect with which Wagner approaches the subject. The road to restoring Johnny back to life is both long and devoid of any flippant short-cuts that would insult the intelligence of the reader. There are hardships and disappointments to be endured, and the near impossibility of the task at hand sends Middenface plunging into a succession of deep, alcoholic ruts more than once. Wagner also ensures that Johnny’s eventual return to life is not some cheap or shallow gimmick – there are prices to be paid, and damage to be carried and overcome. This sets us up for a second story arc, ‘The Project’, in which mutantkind regard Alpha’s return as a sign that he is some kind of messianic figure – something the norms are going to have to deal with in order to keep the muties in their place. With paid assassins on their trail, Johnny and Middenface head for Earth where they discover that a plot to eradicate mutants everywhere. The great Carlos Ezquerra is on fine form here, and makes sure that Johnny’s return is as triumphant as anything that he has ever delivered for the legendary character. This book simply rocks; nobody is going to walk away from this one feeling like they have been short-changed. Liam Ronan
