Written by Rob Liefeld and Eric Stephenson
Drawn by Jeff Matsuda
Published by Image Comics
PREVIOUSLY: Youngblood Strikefile #3
This is the first issue of Youngblood Strikefile in which there is just a single full-issue story. Tying into the greater Image Universe at the time, OvertKill was a supervillain, a large cyborg, created by Rob Liefeld and Todd McFarlane together, live on camera, while they were filming a video interview the Stan Lee. Years later, Todd would use this character in a 2-part story in his series SPAWN, in which the character was hired by mob boss Tony Twist (a character who ended up costing Todd a lot of money) to kill Spawn. Spoiler Alert: he fails to do so, and his body is blown to pieces. This issue picks up from that story.
OvertKill’s remains were taken by the U.S. government, whom we learn were behind the original creation of OvertKill years ago, One of the scientists who created him rebuilt his body, despite the obvious danger, for reasons which are never explained. Meanwhile, Tony Twist wants Overtkill back and just so happens to have the other scientist who created Overtkill, who is also the brother of the first one, on his payroll, who explains that he had a homing device placed on OvertKill’s body, which was damaged in the fight with Spawn, but as soon OvertKill is rebuilt, he can activate the device and Overtkill will regain consciousness and return to him.
So, that happens. OvertKill is awakened and tries to leave, fighting through the typical comic-book band of heavily armed soldiers. Then Shaft, Die Hard, and Badrock are called in to help, and fight Overtkill.
I won’t spoil the ending, not that it really matters. The book’s first half is just some random talking heads scenes, and the second half is a long fight scene. It’s a great showcase for Jeff Matsuda’s artwork, he was a young rising star at the time and one of Liefeld’s best discoveries, but it’s not a memorable story overall.
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