Titan Comics 2015
Written by Noel Clarke
Illustrated by J. Cassara
Colored by Luis Guerrero
Lettered by Rona Simpson
The genesis of The Troop has begun. Three damaged, traumatized teenagers – Stephanie, aka Terrain, Janette, aka Virus, and Philip, aka Hotshot – have been saved from certain death by enigmatic billionaire, Edward. But the black-suited killers who were hunting them down remain relentless in their pursuit...
I have got to give no credit for this opening sequence because the historic some incredible creativity and imagination to pull off as well as it did. Also Cassara's artwork helped immensely and really made me sit up and take notice. While I really enjoyed the first issue I think this one took it to a whole new level for me. The introduction of new characters the continuing characterization for the ones already introduced all conspired to really showcase Noel's writing ability here.
The introduction of Willis from her first appearance to her background story really does paint a complex character. Already I like her she's interesting, she's fun, she is introverted and shy and now with what happened to her there is a whole new personality emerging the evolution of this character is simply wonderful. Got to give credit where credit's due to because what Noel did was completely throw me off track with what I thought about her and what she reveals about her.Now that is some pretty impressive stuff too because I hadn't seen what was coming and I hadn't expected things to unfold the way they did but after seeing it happen it's like that was the only possibility.
The other new character doesn't seem to have a name yet.He's got an interesting background and definitely a great power that and I look forward to seeing more of him in action in the future. Now it is mentioned that he was adopted by his parents and I think you only really needed to mention that once instead of as many times as it was that kind of made it redundant. We get it white parents black child, Done. I'm also kind of disappointed in the angry black man stereotype and considering he likes to fight a lot there could have been more of an explanation or a different route that could have taken it instead of you know feeling like he's that stereotype but I'll let that slide for now.
Now I know Edward is supposed to be the good guy here but still like a hot shot I don't trust him very much.However that he was called out for sending them to dinner just where these two kids happened to have also been in the vicinity yeah I like that a lot. There is definitely some incredible storytelling and some excellent characterization happening this issue.I found that I was more interested in this issue than the first one thanks to all of what was going on around the book. It has more of a cohesiveness it has more, I want to say oomph but it also has so many things that really kept your attention rapt to the page.
I wholeheartedly admit I'm in art snob. So that being said this interior work here has me over the moon with joy.The way the pages are set up the panels are laid out the attention to detail everything about what is being done on these pages has me excited for the story.Space I am super thrilled with the use of background perspective body proportions you name it there is a real sense of maturity and love that comes off these pages that keeps the reader just as glued to the pages of the story does.
The Troop has quickly emerged as the leader in a new direction for the family / team book. Interesting, complex, dysfunctional and all kinds of just amazing.