Written by Ben Acker & Ben Blacker
Illustrations & Cover by J.Bone
Color Art by Omi Remalante
Published by Image Comics
Shine your astro spurs and don your robot fists! Thrilling Adventure Hour is back in print for the first time in years, and their first issue features Sparks Nevada, Marshal on Mars.
Sparks Nevada, from Earth, is a space cadet born in the 31st century with an obsession for the Wild West. Thanks to his fascination with rope tricks and horses, Sparks eventually finds himself roundin’ up outlaws on a planet where the Old West has had a strong influence on the inhabitants of Mars.
Sparks exudes confidence because he’s…from Earth, which clearly means he can handle any situation on his own. Well…almost any situation.
This month’s thrilling adventure begins with a simple escort mission through the Martian space mesa. All is quiet on the western front until Sparks spies a butterfly. A deadly robot butterfly who goes by the name of Butterfly Kid to be exact.
Butterfly Kid is out to rob the spacecoach Sparks is protecting and killing Sparks would be added bonus. Fortunately, Sparks has made friends with the Native Martians who owe him a great onus and assign Croach, a master tracker, to save Sparks from impending doom. Being from Earth and all, Sparks refuses to accept any help. But when Butterfly Kid’s gang of highwaymen are turned to glass by a ruthless band of killer robots and their Medusifiers, a fate it seems that is meant to befall Sparks as well, Sparks has second thoughts.
How will Sparks Nevada escape? Tune in next time to find out!
Ben Acker and Ben Blacker write a delightfully amusing story that can be, at times, a little long winded. However, Sparks Nevada manages to capture the thrill of the old west and combine it with the adventurous nature of space. Omi Remalante and J. Bone bring the space western to life with vibrant colors and clean lines that make you want to buy a ten gallon hat.
By the way, while you wait for the next issue of Sparks Nevada: Marshal on Mars I highly recommend catching the first spacecoach over to the Thrilling Adventure Hour podcast for even more action packed exploits of Sparks Nevada. The show is recorded before a live audience, which makes the experience all the more exhilarating.