“Hey, I am working at Tyler Mane’s table. Come down and say hi!” This was the message I received from Bobby (check out his latest article on the New York Toy Fair) while working The Uncanny Experience. As I made my way through the steamy Minneapolis Club on that hot July day, I thought to myself two things. One, Tyler Mane kicked ass as Sabretooth in X-Men and Deadpool & Wolverine and two, I was a fan of Rob Zombie’s Halloween. When I made it down to his table, all I said was Hi to Tyler because I was distracted by a comic that was for sale on his table that featured the art of Marc Silvestri. The selling point of this comic, besides being from Tyler Mane, was for fans of Sons of Anarchy and The Punisher. Fast forward a few months later, I had to order a copy of The Last Spartan: Red Tape.

Here is the kicker about this graphic novel, it’s all for a good cause. By purchasing The Last Spartan: Red Tape on thelastspartan.com a portion of all proceeds go to DeliverFund, a foundation that has a mission to end human trafficking. The Last Spartan is inspired by the novel by the same name by John F. Saunders with an amazing creative team. Story by Tyler Mane, Christopher Priest and Renae Geerlings, Written by Christopher Priest, with art by Will Conrad, Jimbo Salgado and Michael Montenat.

The Last Spartan: Red Spartan is about Frank Kane, last living member of The Last Spartan MC (Motorcycle Club). Inspired by the ancient Spartans, Frank lived his life a certain way as did the members of the motorcycle club. Frank and the club are betrayed and left for dead. Frank is saved by a family and serves prison time for his involvement in the motorcycle club. However, during his time in prison, he strikes up a bond with the daughter of the family that saved his life. After serving his time, Frank is now free, or at least he thought he was free. The bond he built with the daughter is now put to the test. She is kidnapped and Frank needs to act before she is forced into human trafficking.

In his efforts to save her, Frank finds himself with an unlikely partner in Amanda Harper. Amanda is a youthful looking agent that is undercover to find those involved in the trafficking cartel. Amanda is pissed off with the agency and Frank wants to save the young girl that helped save his life. Together they either work together or get out of each other’s way to destroy this cartel.

The Last Spartan: Red Tape was a pleasant surprise, usually when an actor/former wrestler is involved in a comic, one would expect the book to lack depth and character development from a seasoned writer. However, Christopher Priest writing the script for this is a blessing because the pacing is perfect. The character of Amanda reminds me of a character that Priest created in his Black Panther run, Everrett Ross. (who is played by Martin Freeman in the Marvel Cinematic Universe) The characterization is not the same, however the usage is. Amanda is introduced as the narrator/ surrogate for the reader, very much like Ross in Black Panther. Frank Kane also feels like The Punisher as well, as he does become a one man army. Its easy to identify some of the influences in this story. Sometimes, this could hinder a story, but this made the story feel familiar.

Some slight criticism for The Last Spartan: Red Tape is the comparison to Sons of Anarchy. Going into this graphic novel, I was expecting more to do with the motorcycle club and the brotherhood between the members. The comparison comes because the main character has a past in the Motorcycle club world, and the comparison ends there. I would have loved some more time with the club and Frank’s time before prison. At moments this reads like a script for a movie or show, with his time in the club only being in flashbacks. However, Priest, Mane and the team deliver when it comes to being an action packed thrill ride. At moments it does remind me of the Punisher, and has potential to be an ongoing series.

If you want to read an action packed story where a badass takes care of the bad guys, The Last Spartan: Red Tape is for you. Tyler Mane has a franchise on his hands here and I look forward for the new issue on the horizon.