Zenescope Entertainment 2016
Written by Lou Iovino
Illustrated by Vincenzo Acunzo
Coloured by Grostieta
Lettered by Fabio Amelia
With Ditto awake he is able to give avril and Britney the coordinates to the Circle’s stronghold. Meanwhile, Eve’s code is finally cracked and the Circle has what they need to create their army of alphas. As the team rushes to stop this plan from unfolding they run into an unlikely ally in the form of an alpha clone - one who thinks he is Eve’s son.
Yes! Alright this is what i’m talking about. Finally the Zenescope Universe has a team that combines the best of G.I. Joe and MI-6! Not only that but in Alpha they’ve even got their version of Cobra Commander! Don’t mind the comparison it’s just the closest I can see when i’m reading this and that’s because it’s got the specialized agents whose skill sets are unique alongside the whole spy/espionage/action/adventure aspect of what Lou has laid down before us.
Lou has delivered a book that needs to now become an ongoing because the Zenescope Universe is filled with characters and situations that need to be taken on. From the Little Mermaid and Atlantis to Monster Island and all the people in various governments that are running around with too much unchecked power this is the team that can handle all those threats and so much more. It’s smart, interesting and has the potential to have different special guests come and go as needed making this Zenescope’s first Premiere Team!
I was excited that Britney was tapped to lead this series and by the last page Lou really took her to a whole new level. She’s smart, effective and highly qualified in leading a team as she’s able to inspired loyalty in those following her. The rise in her characterization to this level has been amazing to witness throughout this run. I think at first even she didn’t think she’d be this well suited to it and while she may still have reservations she’s a natural born leader, Alpha of her pack if you will.
With the addition of Eve and Ryder to their core team the future of this group is wide open. Providing what happened with Ditto is what i’m thinking/hoping has happened. I can’t wait to see how/if he’s able to come out of this issues events. I think the spy game aspect along with the science fiction of cloning and secret shadowy organizations that want the Highborns gone from the world is an area that is finally getting the attention it deserves and Lou’s been knocking this one out of the Top Secret category and exposing it to the world.
Vincenzo does nice work. He’s a got a decent eye for storytelling through pages and panels. I think better use of backgrounds and some more attention to detail needs to be focused on here as that suits the subject matter better. Then that’s really just my opinion and what i’d like to see but for a spy style book that’s really important to setting the mood and feel of what’s happening around them. Plus his faces need some tightening up and consistency as well but again personal preference as at times faces tend to change shape depending on angle and perspective too much.
This is the kind of series that we need from Zenescope a well thought out mix of characters in situations unlike you’ll find in any other book. Smartly written with excellent characterization that really captures not only the imagination but explores more of the unseen aspects of the universe they inhabit.