Image Comics 2015
Written by Mark Millar
Penciled by Davide Gianfelice
Inked by Gainfelice & Mortarino
Coloured by Ive Svorcina
I really am enjoying this series very much. The way Mark is able to give us such great characterization and interesting plot developments in a setting that you just don’t expect to see such behavior in. Granted this behavior was more behind closed doors back then not as out in the open as it is today but still to see it among the superhero set is a little more startling and a lot more fun.
Last issue Fitz met Apri and subsequently left his wife and family for this nineteen year old girl. We pick that up here with the couple in Malibu talking to friends and members of the teenage super team Teen Scene. It’s an interesting look at things because they aren’t exactly hiding I mean the beach is full of people and it’s kind of crazy that they all hanging out talking shop while the music plays, kids dance and merriment ensues. Though if you really read the dialogue here I found Fitz’s characterization the most telling.
Meanwhile the Union are with Joyce and the kids and talking about what’s going on and it’s very clear that his wife, Joyce, will take him back when the time comes and it’s not surprising to have known each other that long still be in love and for her understand the midlife crisis going on with him and forgive him for it. Peter however is the one from last issue that I was hoping would turn out to be a villain and he’s pulling no punches talking to Uncle Sheldon because even as young as he is his powers are developing, with puberty it seems, and he has no plans to join Teen Scene he’s planning on killing his father.
What Mark did that really impressed me is really showcase not only the burgeoning ideals that Hollywood is known for, not quite cults but their cousins, and Fitz’s age shining through contrasting with April’s naivete and openness to these far out new ways of thinking and really Luciferans okay why not. The writing really is strong and willful in how it portrays their differences and how this dalliance isn’t love but lust and neither of them are in this for the right reason. The fact that his teammates were disappointed in him and yet still called upon him to help with an alternate reality invasion and then what happens after that to complete this two issue arc really is great stuff.
Mark’s really been able to master the sublty in storytelling weaving into what we see the meaning you might miss if you skim over it instead of really pay attention to. He can develop characters incredibly well with a few lines here and there in one issue than many are able to do in six issue arc and it’s that ability that keeps me coming back to projects like this.
Davide and company too really help make this what it is. The Mad Men style of dress, the hairstyles just that innocent feel of that era slightly interrupted by massive and explosive encounters give you that sense that it’s such a more serene time. Granted we’ve seen that’s not the case as there’s prejudice galore but still this team manages to recreate that illusion extremely well. Plus it’s just so nice to see the costumes like this it is so much more what we want this new trend of street costumes.
This is fun pure and simple it evokes everything we love about the older the comics without sugar coating what life's really like.