Titan Comics 2015
Written by Noel Clarke
Illustrated by J. Cassara
Coloured by Luis Guerrero
Lettered by Rona Simpson
The core of The Troop -- Terrain, Hotshot, and Virus -- are coming to terms with their new life as potential superheroes. However, it’s a struggle and their benefactor, Edward, remains a mystery to them while he keeps them concealed from those who would kill them for what they are...
With each issue this has quickly risen to be one of this brightest new series. My only real criticism of it is that cast is growing by leaps and bounds too quickly. On the flipside I can understand why it is very much a race against the clock in saving kids lives. I will also say that Noel has surprised me with his writing abilities here as well. I’m liking the characterization throughout and that while he’s simultaneously also presenting the story moving forward at a great clip. I’ve said that this has familiar elements to it and while those influences are great I see more and I’m a huge fan that Noel’s making all these elements work together and creating something very much his own.
One of the influences I noticed, this totally on me btw, was akin to the old Comico Elementals run. I love the fact that these main characters have this elemental feel to them, see rock, fire, water etc. So when the group finds this man hooked up to machines in the state he is the story really starts to take a really dark and dangerous turn. Edward’s been kind of shady and secretive so that this event takes place really opens a whole new avenue to explore and it’s very much needed in either having these kids work together and form a family type unit or if they’ll continue to be gullible pawns. What we see here is extremely promising and I look forward to seeing how this continues to grow and unfold.
The new characters introduced this issue have a great variety to them. Super impressed that in this one issue in such short amount of “face” time we get to really know Owen. While the Brazilian teens are power spotlighted and left with the potential for a huge character building to come it was a nice way to showcase things in two different manners. I kind of think I like that Owen is older than he looks visually speaking he looks more like a middle schooler than a high schooler so yeah it adds an extra dimension to him.
Speaking of which, the visuals, I’ve been a huge fan of them since opening the first page of the first issue. Each issue, yes we’re only three in i’m well aware of that, I see this world expanding and growing in such wonderful ways. The attention to detail is phenomenal! From the background “clutter,” technology, buildings or even the hardwood flooring we see keeps this series on the forefront of what should drive artists to succeed. This is that perfect blend of illustration and art that is a joy to see.
I wholeheartedly admit that this is looking like the most promising new series, right behind Black Magick, in terms of quality in both story and artwork for this year.