Titan Comics 2015
Written by Anthony Del Col & Connor McCreery
Illustrated by Neil Edwards
Coloured by Ivan Nunes
Lettered by Richard Starkings & Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
There are shadowy forces at work in our world. Forces who have battled for dominance since the dawn of human history. One seeks stability through order and control. The other, progress through liberty and free will. They are rumors. They are real. They are about to enter the life of Charlotte de la Cruz…
I’ll be the first to admit I don’t play videogames so I know nothing about this game series I came into this because it’s from Titan Comics and it’s a #1. Oh and Neil’s on the interiors so there was that too. I’m happy I did too because this is all kinds of fascinating to me. Now secret opposing cabals, see secret organizations, have existed as long as man has probably so that idea isn’t anything new and carrying them into the modern age well that’s a harder task to pull off. What with so many events, world wars and the church the world has changed dramatically over time. So to have these two still operating is delightful.
That we open the issue with Charlotte playing a videogame where she’s the bad guy and we come to see it isn't’ just any old game but a new VR, virtual reality, home game hell that’s way cool. I know that the technology isn’t that far off but dang the way these pull it off was impressive indeed. Plus it’s a game and one that’s internet connected so there’s always someone to play with, talk to and potentially get creeped out by. So far it’s pretty darn lifelike to be honest and that’s a huge part of the draw.
We see Charlotte heading off to a job interview then to work lamenting that she’s never going to go anywhere but be stick working in the same bank where she owes her student loan too. Again nicely played guys. I like Charlotte she fancies herself a modern day Robin Hood if she could and desperately wants to make an impact on the world but feels held back. An intelligent, outspoken hispanic female isn’t always that big draw for employers during an interview though. After work, where you’ll have to read what happens she heads home where her life is about to change forever.
Alright so once arriving home a real shitstorm occurs and it happens very quickly without any real opportunity to think. So here’s what we learn, two rival organizations know who she is, knows where she lives and only one is interested in helping her. She’s quick on her feet, doesn’t freak out while it’s all going on, that comes later. She makes her decision and doesn’t look back though knows enough to keep asking questions later. We also learn about the people she’s with the organization known as the Brotherhood.
They’ve got some sweet technology and gear at their disposal. They reveal how she was found, why she was “brought into the fold” and her what role is going to be with them. It’s interesting to say the least, the kind of adventure most people would love to have happen though few would know what to do should that opportunity arise.
The interiors are pretty action packed and the sense of movement and emotion we get from them feel the middle ground between a comic and videogame. Neil and Ivan really make such a fantastic team and what they do together is brilliant. From backgrounds, page and panel usage and the facial expressions and the historical use of the past in the game it all makes this one of the better first issue reads.
This is a well written, extremely entertaining story that blends today, yesterday and tomorrow in ways that thrill. With excellent characterization, plot advancement and stunning interiors this is completely stand alone from the game so if you’re like you don’t have to have played to enjoy this.