Marvel Comics 2016
Written by Chuck Wendig
Illustrated by Nik Virella
Coloured by Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Lettered by VC’s Joe Caramagna
While searching for answers in the guise of an ordinary trucker, Hyperion meets Doll, a young runaway who begs for his help. Reluctantly, Hyperion agrees. But Doll is being pursued by a group of mysterious, super-powered carnies, hell-bent on reclaiming Doll as one of their own.
Honestly I wasn’t looking for a new series to read when I went to pick up a book at the comic store. Now I am not really a fan of Hyperion but the cover looked good and the interior artwork caught my attention so I did a quick read of the inside cover. Last survivor of his universe, eh but okay. Not sure if he’s a hero or just a murderer, interesting. Then I read these and it came across as this dark kind of existential book unlike what i’m used to seeing from Marvel which for me is a good thing. Here’s hoping something like this gets a chance to last now.
So after meeting Doll and having to face off against this Circus of Crime type of group we open this issue with a most unusual murder. I kind of like it as it’s creepy and completely horror movie worthy as an opening for the issue.
Meanwhile Hyperion, who goes by Marc, and Doll have a very tenuous relationship building. I see things in this combination that is promising and while Marc is resistant to having her along I can see her being part of that search for who he is. It also doesn’t hurt that she has green hair, comes with a deadly enemy coming after her and has a skill set that could useful. Oh yeah and a dog too!
Okay so Doll has been established as a girl but to me I feel like she’s actually a he. More often than not I get a boy look with more possibly transgendered or gender fluid style of dressing. Either way with the green hair and that next tattoo she’s proving to be an interesting character. A mystery indeed and as things keep moving forward it’ll be interesting to see her story fully unfold but for now I think it the way it is, snippets here and there just enough for Marc to feel something for her.
The interiors are great though I like the way the story flows, the use of pages and panels. How it feels like it’s an adult cable series when looking at everyone but has a complete everyman feel anyway. Nik has a great eye and knows what she’s doing here.
There really is a darker tone to the storytelling by Chuck that i’m really digging. Some of it is not your typical dark angst sometimes it’s subtext or overtly like with the opening and it fits with how I see this series. Last survivor of his dimension doesn’t feel like he fits the hero stereotype of this world and is in general a much darker individual. That he doesn’t spend much time in his costume is fantastic. The dialogue is wonderfully done with two people unwilling to completely share but also too alone and in need of the company to care right now.
Sharp, dynamic, witty and horror inspired writing to go along with solid interiors that highlight the story beautifully this is the kind of book I like to get behind.