Lion Forge 2017
Written by Joe Casey
Pencilled by Damion Scott
Inked by Robert Campenella with Mosh Studios
Coloured by Sigmund Torre with Mosh Studios
Lettered by AW’s DC Hopkins
Daniel Dos Santos is the speedster superhero Accell, but his recent adventures have him shaken to the core, so what’s the solution? Go clubbing with the girlfriend! Too bad the supervillain Midnight Blue likes the clubs, too, and she doesn’t have patience for any superheroes who choose to step in her direction.
I have to applaud Joe for the way he is approaching the whole speedster issue. This is unlike anything we’ve seen before and there are plenty of speedsters out there with stories of their own so to be able to take something so “common” and familiar and make it feel unique and special is a true testament to what he’s capable of doing with his writing, creativity and imagination. Personally I love the fact that Dan doesn’t understand his powers, is having a hard time coping with his latest adventure and the consequences of it. He comes across as a real person, not someone who instinctively knows how to use his ability to it’s absolute best.
This issue is fantastic for a couple reasons but chief among them is the level of characterisation that Joe is able to accomplish here. From seeing or listening to the messages on his phone, to what we see on the walls and finally through his own inaction and yes whining. It’s a good thing that Monica and Daniel actually have a good solid relationship and that she knows what he’s going through. Honestly its refreshing to see and while yes her father is a bastard and is bound to find out about what Daniel can do that’s still a little ways off. For now it’s nice to see them having this level of trust and honesty between them.
I’m not the biggest fan of the interior artwork here. It is too Humberto Ramos in quality and that’s lacking for me. This is a book about a speedster who happens to be Latino and everything looks just so generic. The lack of attention to detail in a lot of places is disturbing to me. The way page layouts are done with their angles and perspective are extremely well done and show a great eye for storytelling. So I wish it had that sharp, clean and powerful work that would make everything that much more speedster like. There’s a mash-mosh of amateurish and anime and cartoon that just doesn’t work for a book like this.
Joe’s writing is crazy good and the unique take on the character is highly appreciated. As he continues to flesh out this world and in particular Daniel’s place in it we are getting some great storytelling. I love the Native American angle, the deal with Monica’s father that’s looming and now the introduction of a villain who got her powers the same way he did. Things are happing at a pace that is as fast as Daniel but is fast enough that we as readers don’t get bored. It’s got this amazing story development that feels well thought out and executed to near perfection.
I’d like to be more excited about this book because what Joe’s doing is extraordinary and it’s sad that FOR ME the interiors bring the quality of the book down. Don’t get me wrong it’s the style here that doesn’t match the speedster superhero genre and to find a good match between writer and artist sometimes isn’t easy.