The Mighty #1-3 Review

The Mighty #1-3

(issue 3 cover featured)

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi and Keith Champagne
Art by: Peter Snejbjerg
Letters by: Rob Leigh
Colors by: John Kalisz
Covers by: Dave Johnson

“The Light Brigade” was the first book I read written by Peter J. Tomasi. I’ve made an effort ever since to pick up anything else that he writes. While his work on “Green Lantern Corps” is fantastic, his “Nightwing” run fell flat for me. His newest title, a creator-owned book called “The Mighty,” remains steadfastly in the middle.

After three issues it still hasn’t developed a story, rather it keeps itself focused on character. Not the worst quality in a book, I only hope it doesn’t last forever. Issue one opens with a quick, succinct introduction to Alpha One, the world’s first superhero. On a side-note, it’s interesting that this is a DC book rather than a Vertigo imprint since it doesn’t take place in the DC world. Things continue to move with a great sequence featuring Alpha One rescuing an out-of-control train. It’s after that in which things slow down. The leader of Omega Section (the organization that works in tandem with Alpha One), Captain Shaw, is killed, but by issue two his killers are put to rest. I expected this to be an ongoing thread for a few more issues but instead it’s tied up rather quickly.

Issue three puts up Gabriel Cole, the book’s central character, as Shaw’s replacement. Several years earlier he was rescued by Alpha One so his connections to the hero extend back for most of his life intensifying his relationship with the hero. The book does a nice job answering some key questions, like who funds Alpha One’s operation and the extent of his powers. Noticeably, one thing it leaves out is Alpha One’s true identity. He may be a maskless hero but his true name is never given, at least not yet. Whether or not this will be a factor later on remains to be seen. Shaw’s murder case seems too neatly tied up, so again I’m hoping that it comes back into the limelight.

Tomasi and Champagne are taking their time carefully setting up the world, its characters along with slowly revealing bits of its past safeguarding what they intend to disclose later. I appreciate their approach but I worry that this direction could lose a lot of interested readers who picked up the first book or two. I’m always of the mindset that a book needs time to grow, but frankly I think this book’s time is running out. Future solicitations claim big things, but unless they step-up to such big talk I may remove it from my pull list. Especially with other more interesting genre bending characters like “Savior 28,” and “Irredeemable,” already proving to have more promise with less material.

Snejbjerg manages to remain a hidden gem in comics. His art reflects a slick retro style not seen much in comics where attention to detail is as important as retaining a personal quality with every page. Sometimes I find that I can’t tell one artist from another or they simply don’t do anything noteworthy with their pages. Snejbjerg is someone I don’t see often, but I still enjoyed what he brought to “The Light Brigade,” and he does the same thing here.

A nice bit of art lifts a thoughtful yet unremarkable story just enough for me to pick up a fourth issue, but admittedly unless it turns the tide and brings a truly climatic “to be continued,” I don’t think I will.
C+

Flash: Rebirth #1 Review

Flash: Rebirth #1
Lightning Strikes Twice

Written by: Geoff Johns
Art by: Ethan Van Sciver
Letters by: Rob Leigh
Colors by: Alex Sinclair

This is a Flash story, but the first issue is slow. Its sole purpose is set-up and where this story is going remains to be seen. I still haven’t figured out why Barry Allen is back and he’s asking himself the same question throughout this book.

Everything starts with a couple of murders, by someone or something who claims to have brought Barry back from the Speed Force. From there we cut to several different events that are meant to welcome the famous speedster back to the land of the living. Both Jay and Wally take the opportunity to pontificate on how much Barry meant to them and how happy they are that he’s back. All this feels too retrospective, especially since there are only five issues to this “rebirth,” I was hoping for a bit more forward momentum.

My favorite moments come when Barry and Hal meet at the Flash Museum. It really defines Barry’s character and his motives. It was a real turn and completely unexpected. Earlier pages painted this as more happy-go-lucky story, but Barry is anything but. Instead, he’s focused and determined. He doesn’t care about parties or parades. He comes across as a bit cold, but I feel like this gives him a chance to grow throughout the series rather than stay stagnant.

Towards the end of the book two kids find the Black Flash apparently dead in the middle of a field. This probably raised the biggest questions for me. Is the Speed Force really knocking off Speedsters? Is Barry’s new lease on life connected to this killing spree?

Johns has written some memorable Flash stories before and this one reflects his understanding of the characters, not just as heroes but as a family. Right now though, Barry seems to be rejecting that family so it will be interesting to see how that comes into play later.

Looking ahead at further solicitations though it seems there will be yet another Superman/Flash race. These exhibitions seem to happen like clockwork and only serve to slow down whatever story is actually happening. It’s too early to complain with due fairness but I don’t really see the point yet.

In terms of this issue though the set-up is unclear at best. The mystery comes too late in the book and where it’s going is anyone’s guess, but I remain ever hopeful and confident in its outcome.

Van Sciver handles the interiors on the book and as usual provides some stunning visuals. I especially enjoyed the not-so-subtle nod to “The Brave and the Bold.” I can only imagine his art will continue to impress as the action ramps up in further issues. Van Sciver is one of my favorite artists so I’m glad he’s working on this book. I do wonder though what it would have looked like if Scott Kolins had handled the artwork instead. Regardless though, each panel features fantastic character work and use of space. For instance, you really feel the size and scope of the parade and the intensity of the book’s final chase.

A solid first issue, but it definitely lacks a real hook to bring anyone back for another issue and uses too much of its time looking back rather than forward. It also caters exclusively to Flash fans with constant references and nods to the past on almost every page. Despite its slow pace the book remains a real treat though and I have every confidence that the payoff will be well worth the journey.
B-