Five Fists of Science by Matt Fraction is a steampunk comic about a fight between historical figures. Nikola Tesla and Mark Twain are on one side and Thomas Edison, JP Morgan and Andrew Carnegie are on the other. It’s a wonderful idea that immediately grabs people’s imagination and makes them want to read the book. Unfortunately the execution is lacking and the great idea is the only thing worthwhile about the book.

Nikola Tesla and Mark Twain have hatched a plan to end wars. Tesla has invented a human controlled giant robot. The plan is to sell one to each country and the countries can use those to fight each other. But Thomas Edison, JP Morgan and Andrew Carnegie (alongside Guglielmo Marconi) are trying to take over the world through evil and encouraging wars. A plan to end wars would destroy their cabal.

It’s a wonderfully demented idea that doesn’t follow through in it’s execution. The art by Steven Sanders is beautiful and deserved a much better story to showcase it. Mildly recommended for the art and basic concept.