Advent Comics 2016
Written by Tony Kittrell & J. Scott Webb
Illustrated by Bart Sears, Austin Brooks & Martin Blanco
Coloured by Martin Blanco & Rachel LaChance
Lettered by Shawn DePasquale
This series chronicles the adventures of the brave men & women of America's covert Project: Homeland Program and their struggle as America's frontline defense against all enemies - foreign, domestic and superhuman!
Well colour me intrigued I like the premise here as it’s really a Government team of heroes. We’ve seen them in comics in the past and usually they are somewhat unstable or overzealous and come across harsher or like the bad guys to heroes who already operate. What Tony and Scott do this issue is go about it a completely new way though and I think they do a great job of it.
This first issue is a bit wordy but that’s okay because it’s needed to help the reader understand the state of this world and why Project Homeland is needed. It’s also a bit wordy because it focuses on the President of the United States and his inner circle and we all know how much they like to talk, usually over one another. Still there was a worldwide event that has caused the need for the formation of a Government formed team of superheroes. This is the aftermath as they discuss what’s happened and options for moving forward.
I’m really rather quite impressed with how the story progressed, the characterisation and the fact that we start after a huge event that isn’t in the series. Also go on ahead for Bart Sears work on this one as well. It’s nice to see his work again and I have it looks as good as anything else he’s ever done if not better. The linework is fantastic, the attention to detail and his eye for storytelling, using angles perspective, poses and backgrounds all really pop here. There are plenty of moments that are subtle that stand out and impress.
I also like that while these folks who run our government introduce a few characters as well as be who they are, they are the President’s advisors for a reason, there is some levity in the writing in unexpected ways. It’s nice to see the kind of balance between the seriousness of what’s happening and the character depiction that paints moments we can truly appreciate as we get to know them.
The second story here focuses on one man. He was a member of the NYFD during 9/11 and after that event he signed up to serve his country. This was when the fledgling Project Homeland was put together and he was one of the first to be trained and put into the field.
Again a very good look at this early team, it’s failure and what that meant for it’s members and the possibility for what it is to come. His code name Triumph is now more aptly suited to him after the events we see unfold this issue. I think he’s going to be one to keep an eye on because of everything he’s gone through. His narration and story make him what I see as a strong leader for those who are up and coming and he’s a good solid character himself.
The interiors are good and i like that this was done as it was with not a lot of empty space in the panels. You get a great sense of what’s going on here in the bigger picture as well as the emotions and feelings to help the story have a bigger impact.
I will recommend this to you so head over to www.adventcomics.com for print copies or digital which are available at comixology and ask your local shoppe to carry them as well. This is is why diversity in comics is so important, not just in companies and the variety of creators able to shine but within the characters created themselves. This is good solid storytelling with nice strong interiors. I expect a lot of good things to come from this company.