24: Underground: Issue 1 (Comic Review) 2014
24: UNDERGROUND: ISSUE 1
**** ½ Out of 5
Release Date- April 23rd, 2014
Pages- 22
24 ran for 8 seasons on FOX and became one of the most popular shows to ever air and broke new ground as each episode was an hour in the day building up to the 24th hour. The main character Jack Bauer became a pop culture icon and even though star Kiefer Sutherland was a popular actor the series launched him into iconic status. The show even had a video game that took place after season 2, but before season 3. There were even a series of novels called 24: Declassified that were set prior to season 1. 24: Live Another Day is a mini-series set a few years after the finale and 24: Underground is a 4 issue comic that bridges the gap between the series finale and Live Another Day.
Jack Bauer is a wanted fugitive and is living in the Ukraine under an assumed name where he works for his girlfriends brother Petro. However the other brother Roman owes the Russian mob money and when he’s unable to pay, he’s killed and his debt is put on Petro. The mob wants Petro to steal a shipment for them and Jack gets involved to help, however he’s recognized by one of the Russian mobsters and the CIA now finds out Jack’s whereabouts.
24: Undergound Issue 1 in a word was fantastic! The biggest issue I had with the novels were continuity errors. There were certain characters Jack didn’t meet until certain seasons, but in the novels, which again were prequels to the series Jack might have known that character, which would be ok if the novels were set in their own universe, but they weren’t. Another problem is I felt it didn’t capture the feel of the show or characters. Many times I thought to myself Jack wouldn’t say or do that. However 24: Underground at least in issue 1 very much feels like 24. The events that unfolded in the first issue I can easily see happening on the TV series and reading the words it’s quite easy to hear Kiefer Sutherland’s voice. Just like how the first episode of the series hooked me in, this comic book very much did the same and I can’t wait to see where it goes next. As long as the following issues remain true to the series and Jack Bauer character I think I’ll love it and I think all fans of 24 will feel the same.
In my opinion it would have made more sense for the comic series to come out before the launch of Live Another Day and while issue 1 did, the rest of the issues will be released during and after the mini-series ends.
May 2, 2014 at 9:47 am
Glad to hear you liked this so much. I have it sitting up on my shelf to read but haven’t gotten to it yet. Looking forward to checking it out even more now.
May 2, 2014 at 12:50 pm
When you read it let me know what you thought. I as stated felt it caught the essence of 24 and I eagerly await the rest of the issues as well as Live Another Day.
May 11, 2014 at 1:50 am
Yeah will be sure to let you know. I may review the series of comics if I like the first enough to keep buying.
June 19, 2014 at 7:49 pm
Just got this! Have issue 2 as well. Looking forward to checking these out. Thanks!
June 22, 2014 at 9:19 pm
Hey Vic what’s going on? Sorry for not emailing you back, but as I explained in the first email I’m just behind on things. As you can see last two posts were by someone else and not me and if you look at my past couple of reviews most are Mina brief.
Through 2 issues I’m enjoying it more than 24: Live Another Day. That’s not to,say Live Another Day is bad, but the magic is missing. Since I’m here might as well reply to your Empire of the Dead comment.
I read the first two that’s it. At some point I’ll get back to it,,but at 3.99 an issue I,don’t feel its worth it, plus with 24: Underground, Walking Dead and my film buying something must get cut out and well Empire of the Dead was the one. I’ll do my best to email you ASAP. Just crazy times.