Image Comics 2015
Written by Jay Faerber & Brian Jones
Illustrated by Ilias Kyriazis
Coloured by Ron Riley
There’s something to be said for the idea of someone joining a team in order to infliltrate it and destroy from the inside we’ve seen this before and done best in the New Teen Titans but have we seen an instance where that person changes so that they actually become a hero and don’t follow through with their plans? I’m not saying that’s the plan the guys have for this book but it something I’m thinking about as I read this issue.
I adore the characterization we’re getting here it’s intense, interesting and full of personal conflict and emotion. Plus this issue seems to give us that day in the life kind of sequence that is so perfect for helping us get to know these characters better. Vesuvius and Punchline for example seem like an odd pairing to me but as this goes on we see other sides to them that make them accessible and likeable and not to mention more human.
Kids love their heroes and aren’t afraid of Vesuvius like adults would be as all they know is that he’s a hero and his visage isn’t really that important so they flock to him and his gentle nature with them with ease. It’s the whole contradiction thing happening that he’s a scary monster with a heart of gold that adults sometimes have trouble handling in their set in their ways minds. Punchline on the other hand has a chance here to shine without all those bad jokes she makes to mask how insecure she feels about herself.
This issue introduces us to members of Vesuvius’ extended family and a brief look at his origin. I say a glimpse because really we see where he was found and by whom and how that’s impacted his relationship with humans, not how he came into being that’s for another story I hope. Cinzia is a beautiful young woman who arrives with another hot on her tail. Her story is meant to make Vesuvius help her and make her seem like an innocent victim of Tomb Raider type who has someone chasing her for unfounded reasons.
Rey De La Luz is one of Mexico’s greatest champions, aside from looking like something Todd Nauck would come up (huge compliment by the way) i’m fascinated by him. White body suit gold stitching with Aztec symbols’ and the boots, gloves, trunks and almost Luchador mask of green and red making him seem like Mexican Flag of the country he loves yeah i’m totally in with this dude. Here’s hoping that this world these guys are creating garner enough attention and interest that perhaps a mini-series or two of its other inhabitants will be spotlighted.
Gaijin, Crosswind and our resident speedster all have moments where we get to see more about them and something else that sets up a future story arc so it’s not like this issue just focused on two people we really get to see some great stuff. Speaking of great stuff Ilias and Ron do remarkable and I do mean remarkable work on the interiors. Such classic comic book style art that’s just incredibly well done, expressive, explosive, fun and so greatly detailed it just makes you smile because you forget you need to see this again.
Modern day eighties comics right here and now from these fine folks who can bring back what I loved about comics growing up with all the trappings of modern day elements thrown in for good measure. So yeah this is what everyone should be reading because it’s the best of all worlds. Including the interior artwork which is full of both worlds as well making this a completely fantastic read.