Writer – Jack Kirby
Artist – Jack Kirby
Inker – Mike Royer
Colours – Petra Goldberg
Letters – Mike Royer

The first issue of Machine Man written and illustrated by Jack Kirby sees the automated hero, X-51, Aaron Stack, saving a kid from falling off a cliff while rock climbing.  He later goes on to help out a couple of more people on his way to finding a life of normality.  To do things as others do, to be normal is something that Machine Man has always wanted since his creation and he is going to try his very best at attaining that no matter how hard it might be.  Things do not go as planned though as some law officials think before asking and condemn him as some sort of a threat.  Also adding to the hostilities is the government looking to put him out of commission in case he goes insane much like the previous models of his series and they are not willing to have a killing machine on the loose, especially a sentient one that could possibly do even more damage than some random weapon. This was a pretty action-filled first issue, with quite a bit of dialogue between Stack and the people he meets along the way.  Kirby’s pencils are fantastic and perfect for a more science-fiction-infused story such as this.  The funniest moment that would elicit a giggle was X-51 trying to make his way through traffic and someone yelling out that the oil crisis was over.  Hilarious more so now in this current day than it might have been ten years ago as the world’s oil reserves are supposedly running out while mankind continues trying to bleed the Earth dry to obtain it instead of looking for clean alternatives.  All bleeding-heart commentary aside, this was a nice solid start to one of Marvel’s most unique heroes. Kirby’s artwork is as good as ever and his storytelling is fine, taking the very underutilized Machine Man and trying to add some depth to the character who has always been a supporting player up until this moment.  While all of this was good, seeing him on his journey and what villains he might encounter should be quite interesting as the book moves on.

4 out of 5