If you're familiar with Millarworld, then this review should be redundant - chances are you've already read the best one of the lot, Wanted. But if you're out of the loop, Millarworld is this neat idea, formulated by Mark Millar of course, to put out four different stories (mini-series') on four rival publishers - The (hilariously perverse) Unfunnies [Avatar], Chosen [Dark Horse], Run [Image] and Wanted [Top Cow]. Wanted rests on a platform overshadowing the rest. It's a six issue series with art by the immensely talented JG. Jones, colours by Paul Mounts and surrounded by hype due to the soon-to-be released $65 Million movie of the graphic novel. I read this quite a while back but never got down to reviewing it, but with the movie coming around I thought I'd drop some knowledge on the action crammed Wanted.

The basic idea to this comic book is fascinating - the lovers and haters should agree with me on that (oh yes, total loathe-worship sort of thing when it comes to the readers). In 1986, all the super-villains whoever existed, in whichever dimension, come together as one, under the leadership of The Professor (a notoriously brilliant villain) and wipe out all superhumans thereby creating a universe which was there's to rule. The world was divided into five and five of the world's most heinous super-criminals got control of a particular land mass. The Professor took control of the Americas and assumed a most powerful position. However, the most evil of the lot, Mister Rictus, was forced to take over Australia as opposed to the more significant ones, a move looked upon with much discontent. Two important villains who made the transition from Rictus' regime to The Professors' due to creative differences are The Fox and The Killer - these two play a vital role as the move was much condoned by Rictus. There. We have the two warring parties and the motive as well. To the common man, this, of course has next to zero importance, as these villains take on 'acceptably evil' roles such as political bigwigs, tax collectors and others of the variety on whom the judicial system throws a blind eye. Wesley Gibson is one such common man; a loser (viz. a routine choice of protagonist in the comic industry); somebody who thinks life is about struggling to pay off one's bills and tolerating as much shit as is flung one's way without making too much of a fuss. Wanted is the story of how he learns that he is heir to fifty million dollars and a criminal legacy which many supervillains would be jealous of. Wanted is the story of how a normal schmuck is transformed into one of the most evil beings to walk the face of the Earth.

Here's looking into how this comic books fails. The dialogue. Sheesh. Cut down on the profanity a tad. I know that the story and setting merits a gritty and violent script, but come on, something along the lines of a Slayer-ish 'Feel the knife pierce you intensely' instead of 'I'll fuck you fucking fuck' kind of Slipknot junk would've added much class to the story. Otherwise though there is some neat, underlying humour in the words which are worth a laugh or two. Secondly, the plot. Not entirely deficient when it comes to creativity, the storyline would be viewed upon by some as a banal and lacklustre affair - predictable even. This shears off some points when it comes to re-readability. Further, if you're familiar with Mark Millar, then you know what sort of twist in the plot to expect. This trait which one would tend to associate with M.N. Shyamalan, definitely depreciates the book's value.

Then why does it get a staggering 3.5 on 5 thadiyans? For the lack of better words, it's fucking cool! The setting and atmosphere created by the three is nothing short of excellent. Millar gives to birth unique, crooked and lurid supervillains with almost all of them being twisted interpretations of some of the great rapscallions of comic book history. To give you an example, there's ShitHead - Made up of the collected feces of the 666 most evil beings ever to walk the Earth. There's a little Hitler in there, a touch of Ed Gein and a half a pound of Jeffrey Dahmer. He can make his body diarrhea-soft, bloody constipation hard or any consistency in-between (remind you of anybody? Yeah, its good fun trying to guess who these guys were modelled on). I'm waiting to see how CGI does justice to ShitHead. With taglines like 'Shit happens. Just pray he never happens to you!' - there's a great deal of cheesy, over-the-top violent, dirty fun to be had with Millar and his minions. At the same time all of them maintain a sleek and cool outlook due to JG Jones and his blockbuster brand of artwork. Want to know exactly how blockbuster? Wesley Gibson is modelled on Marshall Mathers (to be played by James McAvoy) and The Fox is modelled on Halle Berry (to be played by Angelina Jolie) for crissake!

Getting to the bottom of it, Wanted was a pleasing read and is recommended to all. You decide whether you loved it or hated it. I for one am going to take the middle road. The 6-issues were all neat and even though the ending had me a tad disappointed I did realize that the journey getting there was a whole lot of fun! All I can do now is wait and see how badly Hollywood bastardizes yet another cool comic book. Despite my assumption, I hope I'm made to eat my words.