Marvel Comics 2018
Written by Saladin Ahmed
Illustrated by Eric Nguyen
Coloured by Rico Renzi
Lettered by VC’s Clayton Cowles
Quicksilver's super-speed and abrasive personality have always isolated him, but he's never been truly alone…until now. Trapped beyond the perception of friends, family and allies, Quicksilver wages a one-man guerilla war against a monster that he's not even sure is real, to save a world that he may never be a part of again.
Over the years Pietro has been so many things to so many people including himself that he tends to switch personalities as fast as he runs. Though to be fair he’s been portrayed as this morose loner who cared about nothing other than his sister and while he’s done a lot with his life he’s never stopped for more than a moment to really look at himself well. The retrospective Pietro is the one I like as he searches for meaning and the truth something he can hold on to. His time under Jamie in X-Factor is probably some of the best he’s ever been written.
I can already tell you that the way this has been structured is amazing to me. I love the whole ebb & flow of what we see and how the mission he’s on is the reason he’s running and talking about all the events in his life that got him to this point. So for new readers who haven’t had the pleasure of being exposed to Pietro that much over the years are in for a treat and long time fans will appreciate the quick recap. This is one of those rare times when the narration boxes while plentiful aren’t really under used. It really is the only way we can hear Pietro’s thoughts as he running at speeds that man wasn’t meant to run at.
The characterisation here is pretty darn spectacular too and I feel like Saladin is exploring the many different iterations of Pietro as he tries to figure out which one he is. Granted each new experience continues to shape who we are and whatever the High Evolutionary did to him I believe it increased his anger along with his speed. That is jut a theory I have but it’s sound enough all things considered with how many different attempts at being a good man he’s been through. I do like how we see Pietro explore himself, what used to make him happy then realises that it doesn’t still hold true. I don’t know it’s very cerebral and existential so for me it’s a darn good read!
One the selling points on this book for me was seeing the interior artwork. There is something familiar and yet new, fresh and unique about what Eric is doing here. Also the fact that Rico colours this so darn well that’s just an added bonus. Also I have to say I am digging the outfit that Pietro has on here it comes across extremely well on paper. The way that Eric is able to manipulate the linework through it’s varying weights to create something special in how we see how Pietro sees the world is exceptionally well done.
I like how this story is being told and for a loner to truly be alone well there’s a paradox that you don’t normally think of or expect when you think about it. Also that this story takes place within another story well I find that intriguing. I think Pietro is one of the most complicated men to ever have been created in comics. From brother, to lover, to husband to villain to hero and every slice you can think of in-between the complicated flavours here are extremely nuanced.
This is the kind of storytelling that I love from Marvel. That it’s a five issue run is great and if it follows local indie blueprint it should be the first of many. There is a nice brilliance to way this has been put together and I look forward to seeing it completely unfold.