Review - 3 Story: Secret Files of the Giant Man

The world today is rife with zombies, vampires and werewolves. It seems like everyone that dies will end up as one of those three "creatures" of vicious mindsets. What about mummies? Swamp people? Giants?

Giants are a group that's rarely used these days, so it's refreshing when someone like Matt Kindt comes along and does so. His latest work from Dark Horse, 3 Story: Secret Files of Giant Man, does just that, revisiting his most beloved creation in Craig Pressgang as he travels the world as a spy.

The one-shot follows on the heels of 3 Story: The Secret History of the Giant Man HC. There, Craig's unique condition causes a variety of problems that makes it slightly complicated for him to be a spy. That doesn't stop him though, as the latest book has him in three different locales: Paris, Cairo and the Phillipines.

Craig's travels are not easy, but, as a spy, you wouldn't expect them to be. He encounters different obstacles in all three cities, with the Phillipines proving to be one of his most dangerous missions as a spy. Each location is a different assignment and has him in a different role, something that is tough even for normal-sized spies.

Kindt's creation is somewhat of a loner type. Craig comes across as weary, seemingly tired of something. Whether it's the life as a spy or the fact that he's a giant with a host of medical problems is unsure, but that's most likely done so that the reader can do their own interpreting. Craig feels like an outsider despite the CIA's apparent readiness to embrace him. He knows they're taking advantage of him, but he likes that people need him and aren't scared.

People also have different reactions to Craig, which is to be expected. There are some that are fascinated by him, some that are scared of him and some that just see him as a propganda piece. It's very akin to Captain America in a way. He's this man with great abilities, but the CIA really doesn't know how to best utilize him. The same goes for the people that encounter him. They're amazed at first, but the next emotion after that varies.

I'd be remiss if I didn't acknowledge the title as well as being clever. 3 story refers both to the number of stories in the book about Craig as well as his presumed height.

Kindt's on double duty and does the art as well, using a pulpy style with little attention to detailed illustrations. The book is set in the 60s so the art really makes you feel like you're in that time, reading a newspaper of Craig's exploits. It's somewhat plain art style, but that's not a bad thing. It's simple and it works.

3 Story: Secret Files of the Giant Man is both a quick read and fascinating. It really gets you thinking about how giants would play a part in our world and, in the heightened times of the 60s, you could easily see someone like Craig being tapped by the government for whatever reason. The property is currently being adapted into a film and that film could be very interesting as well.

3 Story: Secret Files of the Giant Man is in stores April 18.