Released in last 2007/early 2008, MODOK's 11 was, as the title suggests, a heist story, but with super-villains. MODOK recruits a bunch of villains or mercs - Armadillo, Chameleon, Nightshade, Living Laser, Mentallo, Puma, Rocket Racer and the Spot - to infiltrate a highly-sophisticated other-dimensional research vessel called the Infinicide, and recover the Hypernova. With a name like that, it has to be cool.
In return, the thieves will receive 5 million dollars, which all of them need for one reason or another, as van Lente and Portella outline in the first issue. Nightshade needs it for research. Puma needs it for his legal defense. Rocket Racer (who van Lente writes as a stuttering, cowardly mess of a momma's boy for some reason) needs it for said momma's medical bills. Armadillo just wants to stop wrestling for pesos.
You might notice that, even counting MODOK, I didn't list 11 characters. Fittingly for a heist story, there are wildcards involved. At least one character is not who they appear to be, and the loyalties of others are in question, because MODOK's not the only one who wants the prize. van Lente leverages the double-crosses and reveals pretty well, especially because after a while, even some of the crew are getting frustrated with their backstabbing coworkers.
Portella's work is reminiscent of Steve McNiven's. Not as detailed or photorealistic. I don't think it's as confident with the linework, either. Gets a bit fussy around people's faces sometimes, unnecessary lines. but able to handle a variety of different characters. Lots of fights to draw, but also a lot of reaction panels, what with all the betrayals. So many outraged faces to draw.
2 comments:
I know I've read this. I think I may own the original issues. Why do I have zero memory of it?
It came out ~15 years ago now, and I don't know if anyone other than van Lente ever followed up on anything from it.
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