Scout Comics 2017
Written by James Pruett
Illustrated by Federico De Luca
Alex discovers that he is capable of altering reality with his mind, but he isn't sure how to properly harness his new-found abilities and after his escape from the Branch Institute, he seeks sanctuary with a small collected group of misfits and outcasts that seemed to be expecting his ascension. But are they there to help him or do they have their own reasons for assisting Alex? And what exactly is the voice that mysteriously speaks to Berdy that no one else can hear?
I like how this issue unfolds and that’s because of the way this book is structured as the ebb & flow of what we see here. Alex may have been living at the Branch Institute and he may be conscious of how long he’s been there but that doesn’t mean he knows how to behave like someone his age would. He simply doesn’t know how it’s been a long time since he’s been out in public so that this is so nice and easy to see well it’s just a sign of good solid writing. James is able to convey the feelings Alex has to the reader and give him some solid characterisation at the same time.
So while the book opens with Alex out in the real world for the first time in years that comes with some disastrous results. I really like the storytelling here because it’s real, this is what would happen to someone being locked away from the world for so long. Also the kids meal deal that was just the icing on the cake because he’s still thinking like the kid he was when he went in. The repercussions however of his actions are hot on his tail. Again all this is plays out exceptionally well as I go back to the flow so the story or the pacing of it as we see the introduction of new important character.
So one of the more fun exchanges here happens back at the institute between the Doctor and the Police. So not sure if it’s just local or federales coming in but either way these agents are your standard issue. Not if what I’m seeing is accurate these folks know something at the institute is wonky and they are taking this opportunity to finally get what they want. Knowledge and what that knowledge is well that’s anyone’s guess but at the heart of it all is Alexander Oberman.
I am super impressed with how incredibly “high brow” the story comes across and yet is perfectly accessible to readers. The depth of intelligence in the writing is amazing to see and yet it doesn’t feel like it goes over anyone’s head. Plus we all know that there are many factions that want Alex and it’s a race against time to who gets to him first. After all those who get to him first can potentially sway how he sees things. Notice I said potentially because with Alex being a boy in a man’s body with the power to recreate the world around him nothing is guaranteed.
Frederico’s interior artwork so stellar stuff. The attention to detail here is beyond incredible and the whole opening with the use of his powers and the result that we see makes a powerful statement. The faces and expressions and emotions they bring out are so impressive. The way he uses page layouts and how we see the angles and perspective in the panels showcases a seriously strong eye for storytelling. I always want more backgrounds but to be honest here I think they aren’t always necessary because the focus should be on what we see already.
One of the things this book does is try to reshape our minds into thinking what a hero or a villain is. Circumstances around ones creation doesn’t dictate who’ll they’ll eventually become. James is writing a story that has the kind of depth and drama to it that we just don’t see enough of. This is why Scout Comics needs to be in your store and on the lips of you and your friends.