Another week, another DBNO! This week I'll be tackling one of my favorite characters, Concrete, in a somewhat timely story; timely in subject matter, that is, since this story was originally published in 1987. What am I talking about? Read on!

Concrete #1 - "A Stone among Stones"
Original Release Date: March 1987
Writer/Artist: Paul Chadwick

You're male and you have ten dollars--the last money that you have in the world. Instead of saving it for a day that you might really need it, you spend it on the loveliest lady in the world, right? Well, you are male!

That's exactly what USC grad student Larry Munroe is doing. He has the opportunity of a lifetime and there's no way he's not going to take advantage of it. Alice Corey is interested in him!

It's a beautiful day and Larry and Alice are heading for a health food place for lunch. Along the way, Alice asks Larry about the novel he is writing and, as Larry starts to get into the story of his main character, the two stumble upon Larry's old roommate, Ted. Larry introduces Alice to Ted, but Ted's not really interested in that; he already knows Alice. What he's really interested in is the fifty bucks Larry owes him.

Larry tries to get out of the situation by asking Ted if they can meet tomorrow, because he doesn't have a cent on him. Alice pipes in and asks Larry how he was planning on buying lunch. Looking like a deer in the headlights in front of Ted, a rather large guy, Larry reluctantly, and nervously, asks his old roommate to come along for lunch.

Larry slaps his forehead against a bulletin board as Ted and Alice walk off in the direction of lunch. He can't believe it! What a situation! As Larry pulls himself away from the board, he notices a Help Wanted note. A "slightly handicapped author" is looking for an assistant. Larry figures he can fill the requirements for the job, which include typing, having a valid driver's license, etc.

The next thing he knows, Larry is on the way to Eagle Rock, outside of L.A., for an interview.

Up in Eagle Rock, at a warehouse converted to a home, a rather strange being is pacing back and forth. His name is Concrete and he's irritated; on the radio show "Talkalot," a caller is attacking Concrete because of his disastrous appearance the night before on the Carson show.

"I'm getting sick of this skewed publicity campaign," Concrete complains.

Maureen Vonnegut (no relation, don't ask) reminds Concrete that it was his idea to go public and "if we don't tire the public of you with this overexposure, you'll be hounded forever."

You see, Concrete is a massive biped creature, whose skin is made of a hard concrete-like substance. To the world, he's the United States' first successful foray into engineering a cyborg, but to Maureen he's much more than that. What is he really?

Concrete finally stops his pacing and sits down in a massive chair made of cinder blocks, one of the many specially made features of his home. He wonders aloud if this college kid is going to show for the interview, then reminisces about his interview with Senator Douglas... his former employer.

On the outside of the warehouse, Larry has finally arrived. After knocking a few times, Larry is shocked to see who answers the door. Once inside, he is introduced to Maureen, who is quick to tell him that she is of no relation to the writer or the physicist. After the introduction, Concrete sits Larry down and tells him of his needs; he's unable to type because of his gigantic fingers and there's a need for someone to drive him around, because he, of course, is simply unable to. Eventually, it is Concrete's plan to use this massive and nearly invulnerable body to mount expeditions and, once they're completed, write about them.

Concrete mentions that he used to be a writer before... all of this. Larry, finding his interviewer something of a kindred spirit, tells him about his novel. Concrete asks his interviewee to tell him about it--briefly, but the explanation is anything but. Fortunately, the phone rings, saving him from Larry's horribly long and boring tale. On the line is Senator Mark Douglas, Concrete's old boss.

Senator Douglas explains there has been a mine cave-in in Kentucky. He believes that Concrete, with his super-strong body, could dig the trapped miners out faster than any rescue team. He also tells Concrete that he has a friend up for re-election in that state, so it would be nice if he seemed to come at that man's request.

Concrete agrees and the Senator tells him that a military jet will be waiting for him at the airport. As soon as the massive cyborg hangs up the phone, he asks Larry is he can drive a stick. "Sure!"

In the airplane along the way, Concrete explains to Larry that it is his job to take pictures and document the event, because he'll probably be too busy to do it himself. Larry then asks how he plans on getting the miners out and Concrete explains that he'll probably just dig them out with his bare hands; it'd be impossible for him to use any sort of normal tool because he'd break it.

Once in Kentucky, Maureen makes a grand entrance as she falls down the stairs exiting the plane and sprains an ankle. Concrete, being very protective of the woman, blows off the press and the awaiting up-for-re-election politician in favor of running her to the hospital.

Later, in front of the mineshaft, Concrete is mobbed by the press. The politician makes sure that he's in front of the cameras with our hero as the wife of one of the trapped miners sobs. Concrete, not much caring for the publicity, makes his way to the mineshaft to save lives.

After some initial briefing by the director of the operation, Concrete sets to work, removing the dirt, piece-by-piece.

Up above, Larry has made a new friend with NPR reporter Tawny Hill. As he and the female reporter begin to get to know each other, or rather, the report gets to know Concrete through Larry, they are interrupted. Maureen relates the news that Concrete has just brought out two miners alive.

Concrete, after being mobbed by the press (and the politician), returns to the mineshaft and begins working again. After some time, and carelessness on the part of our hero, the mine caves in further, trapping Concrete.

Everyone fears the worst, but Larry knows they have at least one hour, because that's how long Concrete can hold his breath. As rescue crews work to rescue the rescuer, Larry documents it all. Long hours pass and the world holds its breath, everyone sure that Concrete and the other miners have died. Larry's lost most of his hope as well; after all, the hour was up some time ago. He's down in the mine now, helping as he can, holding onto at least some hope.

It pays off as the rescuers break through and Concrete pops his head up over some rubble. Larry is dumbfounded, but Concrete tells him to take a picture! While trapped, Concrete explains, he still had the ability to move, so instead of digging forward, he dug back and then out again. That way he was able to keep a pocket of air and not cave the mine in further. While back there, he notes, there were no trapped miners.

One of the rescue crew breaks the news to Concrete that they'd already found those trapped miners... dead. Apparently they had died as soon as the mine had originally collapsed; it was quick. After a moment of silence, the crew, Larry, and Concrete, return up above.

On their way back to L.A., Concrete tries to bring things into a new perspective. Two lives were saved, the only two that could have been saved, so it wasn't a loss at all. He did what he could, to the best of his ability. Maureen and Larry agree.

-----------------------------------------

I purposely left out many details of this story, because you need to read it for yourself to really get the whole thing. I also took the perspective of a new reader, so as to not give too much away about Concrete himself. It'd be kind of like me explaining everything about Spider-Man to a person that knows nothing about Spider-Man (does anyone like that still exist??), but wants in on it; you don't want to take away the surprise and fun of reading through the material yourself and learning things firsthand.

So, with that being said, I have to explain that Concrete has become one of my favorite characters of... wait for the child-like cliché... ALL TIME! It's true, last year's Concrete: The Human Dilemma was my introduction to the character, so I can't be all cool and say I've been in on this thing from the ground floor.

What I can say is that it was (and is) the perfect time to get into Concrete. Only a few months after The Human Dilemma ended, Dark Horse began releasing a series of trade paperbacks that will collect all of Concrete's appearances. And actually, I'm writing this on the day that the third volume will be released.

My attraction to the character has much to do with the fact that he's very human. When I say that I mean that I feel like his dialogue (and really, the other characters' as well) is something you'd expect to come out any educated person you meet on the street. His feelings and thoughts are very real. Sure, you get some real and relatable emotions from characters like Spider-Man and The Flash, but nothing like you'd get out of Concrete.

All of this is, of course, a credit to Paul Chadwick's ability to get very human emotions down on paper. The art, which he does as well, manages to convey much of the emotion as well. It's the perfect package.

So, if you're looking for something a bit different, you should definitely try to pick up this new line of Concrete trades or attempt to get a hold of the original issues, most of which can be found on eBay. I don't think you'll be disappointed.