Brodie's law
Encyclopedia
Brodie's Law is a comic book
series created by Daley Osiyemi and David Bircham which tells the story of anti-hero
, Jack Brodie, East end
Gangster, expert thief and professional killer, who in a twist of fate gains the ability to steal his victims' souls and take on their appearance, memories and feelings.
Brodie’s Law takes place in the gritty underworld, nightclub
s and dark alleys of the seedy metropolitan area of London, with an atmosphere akin to the city in The Crow
, with a similar portrayal of Blade Runner's
Los Angeles
.
This makes front-page news and Brodie suddenly becomes the most wanted man in Britain. He goes underground, seeking refuge away from the world and for the first time he fails to see a way out. Things come apart fast as his son is kidnapped and he is framed for his ex-wife’s murder. He begins to lose his sense of self-belief and everything Brodie ever valued is gone. Forced to live like an animal, his hideout becomes his new home, only stepping out of the shadows under the cover of darkness.
In a bid to fight back, Brodie does whatever it takes to find his son, clear his name and seek his revenge. With the help of Tomokai Yoshida a genetic scientist, Brodie from the bleakest point of his life being the countries public enemy finds a way to turn the tables. Using the disc he stole which contained the blue print for a process called Psycho Metamorphosis or PM13, a compound that stimulates a human’s latent ability to morph from one human likeness to another, male or female. Brodie realizes the power that comes with anonymity, without a fixed identity the law cannot track him. The compound was only a prototype and so is inherently unstable. Brodie never knows how long it will work and with each metamorphosis the process takes its toll. His victims once touched are left in a coma, helpless until their identity is returned. In essence Brodie becomes a soul reaper. The process of transformation is far from clean and Brodie partially retains the soul of each person he touches. Each journey into the body of another takes Brodie further into the darker recesses of the human mind. Brodie is no longer alone; with each passing day, the voices within grow louder.
warrior called "Kayuma" who was head of the "Kabuki Death Seekers Clan". He was feared and revered by all. He was known for not sparing the lives of enemies captured in battle. It was claimed he made a pact with the Devil, that if he collected the souls of the dead this would in turn make him stronger and more fearless in battle.
Jack Brodie came across the symbol when reading an earlier version of the "Hagakure" Way of the Samurai. The symbol immediately had a profound effect on him. He saw similarities between Kayuma and himself and started using the symbol as his calling card. A sign that spelt trouble for those who crossed him.
The symbol later came to have a different meaning to Brodie. After he gained his powers of transformation the symbol that spelt danger for others soon became a symbol that almost cost him his own life.
, a new edition of the volume 1 trade paperback
was released.
Trade Paperback
Brodie's Law: Project Jameson (Plot by Daley Osiyemi & David Bircham, Script
by Alan Grant, Art by David Bircham, Cover by Simon Bisley, Third Edition:
August 2006, Markosia
, ISBN 0-9550082-0-4)
No cast has been confirmed.
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
series created by Daley Osiyemi and David Bircham which tells the story of anti-hero
Anti-hero
In fiction, an antihero is generally considered to be a protagonist whose character is at least in some regards conspicuously contrary to that of the archetypal hero, and is in some instances its antithesis in which the character is generally useless at being a hero or heroine when they're...
, Jack Brodie, East end
East End of London
The East End of London, also known simply as the East End, is the area of London, England, United Kingdom, east of the medieval walled City of London and north of the River Thames. Although not defined by universally accepted formal boundaries, the River Lea can be considered another boundary...
Gangster, expert thief and professional killer, who in a twist of fate gains the ability to steal his victims' souls and take on their appearance, memories and feelings.
Brodie’s Law takes place in the gritty underworld, nightclub
Nightclub
A nightclub is an entertainment venue which usually operates late into the night...
s and dark alleys of the seedy metropolitan area of London, with an atmosphere akin to the city in The Crow
The Crow
The Crow is a comic book series created by James O'Barr. The series was originally written by O'Barr as a means of dealing with the death of his girlfriend at the hands of a drunk driver. It was later published by Caliber Comics in 1989, becoming an underground success, and later adapted into a...
, with a similar portrayal of Blade Runner's
Blade Runner
Blade Runner is a 1982 American science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Harrison Ford, Rutger Hauer, and Sean Young. The screenplay, written by Hampton Fancher and David Peoples, is loosely based on the novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K...
Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
.
Plot
On what appeared to be a routine assignment, Jack was paid to break into a high tech lab and steal a disc that contained a top-secret experiment. His contractor being the CEO and shareholder of the research company, Eugene Della Cruz. A third party gets wind of the job and everything goes horribly wrong. It was a set up. He escapes - barely alive.This makes front-page news and Brodie suddenly becomes the most wanted man in Britain. He goes underground, seeking refuge away from the world and for the first time he fails to see a way out. Things come apart fast as his son is kidnapped and he is framed for his ex-wife’s murder. He begins to lose his sense of self-belief and everything Brodie ever valued is gone. Forced to live like an animal, his hideout becomes his new home, only stepping out of the shadows under the cover of darkness.
In a bid to fight back, Brodie does whatever it takes to find his son, clear his name and seek his revenge. With the help of Tomokai Yoshida a genetic scientist, Brodie from the bleakest point of his life being the countries public enemy finds a way to turn the tables. Using the disc he stole which contained the blue print for a process called Psycho Metamorphosis or PM13, a compound that stimulates a human’s latent ability to morph from one human likeness to another, male or female. Brodie realizes the power that comes with anonymity, without a fixed identity the law cannot track him. The compound was only a prototype and so is inherently unstable. Brodie never knows how long it will work and with each metamorphosis the process takes its toll. His victims once touched are left in a coma, helpless until their identity is returned. In essence Brodie becomes a soul reaper. The process of transformation is far from clean and Brodie partially retains the soul of each person he touches. Each journey into the body of another takes Brodie further into the darker recesses of the human mind. Brodie is no longer alone; with each passing day, the voices within grow louder.
Tattoo
Brodie's unique tattoo which covers his back originates from a symbol called "Takai" which means "Face of Death". In ancient Japan it represented the mask worn by a SamuraiSamurai
is the term for the military nobility of pre-industrial Japan. According to translator William Scott Wilson: "In Chinese, the character 侍 was originally a verb meaning to wait upon or accompany a person in the upper ranks of society, and this is also true of the original term in Japanese, saburau...
warrior called "Kayuma" who was head of the "Kabuki Death Seekers Clan". He was feared and revered by all. He was known for not sparing the lives of enemies captured in battle. It was claimed he made a pact with the Devil, that if he collected the souls of the dead this would in turn make him stronger and more fearless in battle.
Jack Brodie came across the symbol when reading an earlier version of the "Hagakure" Way of the Samurai. The symbol immediately had a profound effect on him. He saw similarities between Kayuma and himself and started using the symbol as his calling card. A sign that spelt trouble for those who crossed him.
The symbol later came to have a different meaning to Brodie. After he gained his powers of transformation the symbol that spelt danger for others soon became a symbol that almost cost him his own life.
Main characters
- JACK BRODIE
- Boasting that he has never hurt a tax-paying citizen in his life. Jack views his ‘career’ as a community service. From the very beginning Jack wore a mask, deceiving himself that eliminating hard-nosed criminals was a moral crusade. Jack has always been on the wrong side of the law; he’s always felt that this lifestyle choose him rather than the other way around. Jack has an ex-wife Marla and a son Damien. His wife left him because of his criminal life style. Jack has a way of evaluating a job. His philosophy is you can tell what someone’s like from the look in their eyes. He is a philosophical man, following an ancient Japanese Samurai code: of loyalty, honour and trust.
- TOMOKAI YOSHIDA
- Tomokai is an intelligent, beautiful young (Japanese) genetic scientist at P-FACT Research and daughter of a Japanese billionaire in the pharmaceutical industry. She was fired at P-FACT and kidnapped by Jack whom she falls in love with and helps him out of his predicament. She knows her love-hate relationship with Jack, is fraught with danger, but she sticks with him with the hopes of a better outcome. She has a brother back in Japan called 'Kenzo' who is the black sheep of the family and belongs to an organised crime syndicate.
- EUGENE DELLA CRUZ
- Brodies ultimate nemesis, utterly corrupt billionaire and puppet masterPuppet Master- In fiction :* Puppet Master , featuring the following films:** Puppet Master , a 1989 film directed by David Schmoeller** Puppet Master II, a 1991 film directed by David W...
Eugene is a man who sees the fun side of evil. Eugene is the man in the West End; a city high-flyer, businessman and property developer. He owns the Media friendly conglomerate Della Enterprise that is situated in London Tower BridgeTower BridgeTower Bridge is a combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, over the River Thames. It is close to the Tower of London, from which it takes its name...
. A man driven by ambition, power and greed. Eugene has influential friends in high places. Dell Tilson is his nemesis, a business rival that he respects because of Dell's cold single- mindedness. Not at all sentimental, Eugene doesn’t care who gets screwed over, just so long as he gets what he wants.- HARRY WADE
- Estranged friend of Brodie, Detective Wade is the covert agent sent by Scotland YardScotland YardScotland Yard is a metonym for the headquarters of the Metropolitan Police Service of London, UK. It derives from the location of the original Metropolitan Police headquarters at 4 Whitehall Place, which had a rear entrance on a street called Great Scotland Yard. The Scotland Yard entrance became...
to track down Jack Brodie and retrieve the stolen formula. He goes about his job in a low-key fashion and gets results by whatever means necessary. He is an experienced tracker of wanted criminals, as they never see him coming. He has a history with Jack; they were once childhood best friends. He rides around in his vintage Ford CapriFord CapriFord Capri was a name used by the Ford Motor Company for three different automobile models. The Ford Consul Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Britain between 1961 and 1964. The Ford Capri coupé was produced by Ford of Europe from 1969 to 1986...
and is very much like Jack, quick, intelligent and able to get out of any situation. He is a man committed to his job and his motivation to see Jack captured was business as usual but his strong ties with Jack later made him see things differently.
Secondary characters
- STICKS
- Curtly 'Sticks' Wilkins (a Rastafarian) informantInformantAn informant is a person who provides privileged information about a person or organization to an agency. The term is usually used within the law enforcement world, where they are officially known as confidential or criminal informants , and can often refer pejoratively to the supply of information...
and small time dealerIllegal drug tradeThe illegal drug trade is a global black market, dedicated to cultivation, manufacture, distribution and sale of those substances which are subject to drug prohibition laws. Most jurisdictions prohibit trade, except under license, of many types of drugs by drug prohibition laws.A UN report said the...
. A very close friend of Jack. He trusts Jack with his life, having been saved once by Jack. He got his name Sticks from his onetime occupation as drummer for a reggae band in the 1970s. He usually hangs out at his friend's barbershop called Krew Kuts. He is an informant for both the police and criminals alike. An arrangement that suits Jack perfectly. He has a wife called Rita who is a nurse and a daughter.- DELBERT TILSON
- Delbert Tilson (also known as Dell) is the local crime boss, entrepreneurEntrepreneurAn entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
and Lord of the Manor. He runs his business empire with brute force. He runs a legitimate chain of Bars, pool halls and a boxing gym in Bethnal GreenBethnal GreenBethnal Green is a district of the East End of London, England and part of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets, with the far northern parts falling within the London Borough of Hackney. Located northeast of Charing Cross, it was historically an agrarian hamlet in the ancient parish of Stepney,...
, but these are only fronts for his real business, which are extortionExtortionExtortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
, prostitutionProstitutionProstitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
, protectionProtection racketA protection racket is an extortion scheme whereby a criminal group or individual coerces a victim to pay money, supposedly for protection services against violence or property damage. Racketeers coerce reticent potential victims into buying "protection" by demonstrating what will happen if they...
and money launderingMoney launderingMoney laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
. He is a man driven by ambition and power. His heir to his empire is Jamie Tison his only son, who tries hard to please his father. Dell is often seen in the company of his two trusted bodyguards, 'The Barry brothers', Paul and Sean Barry.- DR RUPERT JAMESON
- The creator behind Project Jameson Dr Rupert Jameson, head of genetic research at P-FACT was approached with regards to finding new ways for top secret agents to infiltrate terrorist camps and enemy states, he saw this as being an ideal opportunity to finance his most recent discovery of R.C.G.M or Rapid Controlled Genetic Mutation.
- TONY T.
- Anthony Thomas also known as Tony T. ‘The Psychopathic killer’. The most feared around town. A man who gets an enormous amount of pleasure from torturing his victims. He is known as a 'Jack the Lad' character always seen in designer gear. He takes care of Eugene Della Cruz's dirty work behind the scenes. Only a few know who he really works for.
- THE BARRY BROTHERS
- Dell Tilson’s loyal Bodyguards, Paul and Sean Barry, step-brothers, same father different mother.
Awards
The character and title have received a good deal of recognition.- Nominated for an Eagle Awards 2006 for Favourite Colour Comic book - British.
Issues
After the initial volume, publication was taken over by MarkosiaMarkosia
-History:Markosia was founded by Harry Markos in 2005. Markos has already published Harry Gallan's The Lexian Chronicles and the initial plan was to produce comic adaptations of books, like The Lexian Chronicles and G.P. Taylor's Shadowmancer. They secured the license to adapt Starship Troopers,...
, a new edition of the volume 1 trade paperback
Trade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
was released.
Vol.1 Project Jameson
Vol. 1: is made up of six, first series issues.- BRODIE'S LAW #1:Project Jameson
- BRODIE'S LAW #2:Close Encounter
- BRODIE'S LAW #3:Testing Times
- BRODIE'S LAW #4:Double Exposure
- BRODIE'S LAW #5:Blunted Reality
- BRODIE'S LAW #6:End Game
Trade Paperback
Brodie's Law: Project Jameson (Plot by Daley Osiyemi & David Bircham, Script
by Alan Grant, Art by David Bircham, Cover by Simon Bisley, Third Edition:
August 2006, Markosia
Markosia
-History:Markosia was founded by Harry Markos in 2005. Markos has already published Harry Gallan's The Lexian Chronicles and the initial plan was to produce comic adaptations of books, like The Lexian Chronicles and G.P. Taylor's Shadowmancer. They secured the license to adapt Starship Troopers,...
, ISBN 0-9550082-0-4)
Vol. 2
Vol. 2: is made up of five issues.- BRODIE'S LAW #7:Hide 'n' Seek
- BRODIE'S LAW #8:Unexpected Visitor
- BRODIE'S LAW #9:Due East
Vol. 3
Series 3 of Brodie's law is planned, and will be the final instalment of the Brodie's Law trilogy.Brodie's Tales
A prequal to Brodies Law, under the working title Brodie's Tales is currently in production.Film
A Brodie's Law film is currently in the works. "BrokenFrontier.com"No cast has been confirmed.