Friday the 13th: Jason vs. Jason X #1
Friday the 13th: Jason vs. Jason X #1
Written by Mike Wolfer
Art by Mike Wolfer
Released: 2006
Publisher: Avatar Press
Premise: In 2005, Avatar Press began releasing titles from New Line Cinema’s “House of Horror” license, which includes A Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th, and Platinum Dune’s The Texas Chainsaw Massacre.
The gore-drenched showdown of a lifetime erupts in the depths of space as the undead, mass-murderer Jason Voorhees is reborn to face the cybernetically-enhanced and unstoppable future version of himself! As Jason X stalks the halls of an interstellar pleasure cruiser, a deep-space salvage team make their way into the remnants of the space catamaran Grendel, where the Uber-Jason was created. Hoping to gut the ship of its most valuable assets, the team instead unwittingly revives a curse that transcends time itself and reawakens the one, original Jason Voorhees. Jason’s divided reign of terror will be short-lived, however, as both halves of Earth’s most dreaded serial killer are drawn to one another for a confrontation that can have only one victor… And one survivor!
Plot Breakdown (spoilers): Following the events of Jason X (Special) #1, a deep-space salvage team docks with the burned out hull of the Grendel, where a chunk of Jason’s original head floats in zero gravity. When the team reinstates backup power and artificial gravity, Jason’s head falls onto the medical bed where Jason X was created, activating the medical computer. The computer, unable to rebuild its subject from the limited matter, sends its medical nanites to collect tissue from the bodies of Grendel’s dead crew, Jason’s victims. It isn’t long before the original Jason Voorhees is reborn. Afterward, he systematically slaughters the salvage team, all while sensing a vague memory of his mother, and indirectly, Jason X’s presence. Aboard the salvage team’s ship, the pilot, Melda, watches the team’s life sign readings vanish. In response, she undocks the ship and flies away at maximum speed, unaware that Jason has already boarded. Jason sabotages the ship’s systems, forcing Melda to dock with the passing S.S. Fun Club, a party vessel. After docking, Melda instructs the Fun Club’s maintenance crew to begin work, while she investigates what the ship offers. Jason emerges soon after, kills the maintenance crew and follows her. Melda manages to visit a couple of floors before she is confronted by the newly arrived, rampaging Jason X. She turns to leave, but is blocked by Jason. Jason and Jason X notice the other, each sensing the other Jason holds a part of the whole. The two juggernauts engage each other, while Melda looks on in horror.
The Good: A simple tale, with an easy to read story and a breezy pace. The story’s premise is a classic fan concoction, a true who-can-beat-who scenario. Wolfer shares writing and art duties here, and does a quality job on both fronts. The story and dialogue flow nicely, and the artwork stays rich and steady. Fans will appreciate that basic Friday the 13th elements appear this issue: gore, humor, nudity, and a high body count.
The Bad: Unfortunately, this premise is really for fans, as casual readers really wouldn’t know or care about the situation. Though the matchup is fun to discuss among fan circles, did it really warrant an official release? Also, this issue serves as setup only, leaving the reader wanting.
Final Comments: A quality, though breezy story, effectively inviting readers to witness the final answer to an ultimate fan question. Casual readers may be put off by the fan-centric material.
Grade: C+
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