Lion Forge Comics 2017
Written by Joe Casey
Pencilled by Damion Scott
Inked by Robert Campanella with Mosh Studios
Coloured by Sigmund Torre with Mosh Studios
Lettered by AW’s DC Hopkins
After taking a beating from the mercenary Midnight Blue, Accell's life as a super speedster is fractured between science and mysticism. An old friend returns from the spirit realm to guide Accell on the right path, while scientist Althea Morrison works with the hero to figure out just how fast he can go. The world's first public superhero is about to have his perceptions of life torn apart at breakneck speed.
I like the opening here it really is extremely well written and continues to show me that Joe is willing to go above and beyond in not only telling this story but to keep expanding this world that Accell lives in. Also that we’re getting the chance to see more of the “other” side of the streets view is something I highly support. After all a hero is only as good or interesting as their villain so it’s only right to spend some time there right. Oh and Mister Hayes I’m not sure if he’s trying to be a Lex Luthor type or just throws a massive temper tantrum when he doesn’t get what he wants.
When we see Daniel he’s flying over Antarctica stressing over whether his girlfriend is gonna be pissed he couldn’t tell her what was up in person. Spoiler Alert Daniel doesn’t know women very well and yes she’s pissed. Now I am not entirely sure how I feel about this part right here. On the one hand I kind like it but unfortunately it feels a lot like CW’s the Flash and that’s bad. I am all for Daniel figuring out how this speed thing works and him needing someone to help him with that just don’t make it too familiar too soon and make it feel like I’m watching the Flash.
Maybe it’s the cynic in me but I find it hard to believe that these folks have this altruistic reason for wanting to help. There’s Academia sure but perhaps there’s something else there that’s a little darker a little more self-serving and besides who in the world has this much space and equipment available in Antarctica anyway? There are a few things I’d like cleared up as well for instance where in Antarctica are they because to my knowledge there’s no unclaimed land there and am really supposed to believe a setup of this size can’t have been built that fast so what was it originally intended to be and whose corporation is funding it.
The interior artwork here isn’t my bag it’s way too Humberto Ramos outside the norm of reality cartoony and it’s just so not superhero. It’s like wanting to watch Scooby Doo Where Are You? And getting A Pup Named Scooby Doo instead with absolutely no way to change the channel. Sure the page layouts with their angles and perspective are strong but that doesn’t help much when you don’t like the style or feel it is appropriate. And then there is what we see when he leaves reality and that looks like some kind of crayon mess, I can’t help it sorry that is How I feel.
So why am I here because in all honesty Joe’s writing is superb, I love the idea that using his speed breaks his body, that the time he needs to recover is related to how fast he’s gone, that everyone seems to know who he is because he never thought to really hide it. There are so many aspects of the book, the writing and the characterisation here that extraordinarily good and it’s easy to overlook the art in favour of the story which for me anyway is a rarity.