Written by
Marc Guggenheim and Tara Butters
Arted by
Ryan BodenheimWHAT HAPPENS WHEN THE NEVER-ENDING BATTLE FOR TRUTH AND JUSTICE ENDS?
From Collider Entertainment comes the next quantum leap forward in superheroes: HALCYON. The groundbreaking new series dares to ask: What happens when the superheroes win? What happens once there is no crime, no war? The heroes of HALCYON achieve their final victory only to face their greatest challenge ever. An all-star collaboration courtesy of TARA BUTTERS (TV’s Reaper), MARC GUGGENHEIM (Amazing Spider-Man, Resurrection), RYAN BODENHEIM (RED MASS FOR MARS), and ALISA TAGER (Serenity).
I love it when I new series is this good. I really really do. These days, in the wake of the monumental success (and amazingness) of books like Chew and Morning Glories, more likely than not when Image puts out a new ongoing its at least worth a read. Now, I had heard rumblings about this book for a few months, starting out as “that Marc Guggenheim creator owned book”, finally getting a new name and an artist attached to it and then art appearing for it. Truth to tell I didn’t know much about the concept other than the book was meant to be a spring board for the characters to later appear in other media. The names attached to it, the company putting it out and the interesting super heroes on the cover were enough to pique my interest, and by was I given a return on my somewhat blind investment.
The premise of this story is simple: “What happens to the super hero community when crime seemingly disappears overnight? What if they actually win?” That appears to be the story this book is going to tell, starring a wonderfully eccentric cast, drawn beautifully and written convincingly. I think the best thing about this book though, is that it manages to do something unique with the Super Hero medium. I’ve seen writer after writer admit how difficult it is to create a truly fresh super hero story given how many stories have been told with the character type over the last seven decades or so. Its clear that his time spent with characters like Wolverine, The Flash and now the Justice Society has given Guggenheim and his co-writer/wife Butters their own unique super hero voice, and this book sees him craft that voice into something entirely unique and fresh.
As one would expect from the first issue of a brand new series, this issue was very much a “state of the union/lay of the land” issue, introducing us to the characters and their universe before revealing the major conflict at the very end (after, mind you, building it piece by piece the whole issue.) The heroes of this universe are slowly introduced over the course of this issue and are a mix of both archetypal character types (Jarhead = Captain America, Sabre = Batman, etc) as well as some more unique introductions (including Enos, a hulking, cybernetically enhanced talking space monkey…and regular readers of my reviews know how much I love talking space monkeys.) These scenes combined a lot of high action super heroics with a surprising amount of conversation between heroes. In between these scenes we catch a glimpse into the devious dealings of the villain Oculus, this world’s Doctor Doom analogue leading up to his surprise, world shocking move at the end of the issue. It’s also at this point that we learn the meaning of Halcyon in this universe, namely is that is the name of their primary super hero team that the story centers around. Admittedly, this issue is all introductory exposition wrapped up in a nice compelling bow by a cliffhanger, but as a first issue it does its job very well. I definitely feel like I have a keen grasp on who these heroes are and what motivates them, which is perfect to know as they get rocketed into the crux of the story next issue.
On the art end, Ryan Bodenheim’s work makes me wonder why he hasn’t been snatched up by one of the major labels…I mean the Big Two…yet. His line-work here is impressive, taking a strong Frank Quietly meets Ryan Ottley feel to his work, he manages to make each character look unique and interesting. Moreover, he is one of an elite group of artists that I’ve seen that is not only able, but willing to draw anatomically correct characters, most notably his women. While many have become complacent and willing to overlook disproportionately constructed bodies on comic book characters (as indeed I have with artists like Humberto Ramos and Chris Bachalo), I give major props to those select few that actual realize that just because a woman has super powers does not automatically put two bowling balls on her chest.
To say I’m hooked would be a large understatement. I literally cannot wait for the next issue and for the long and prosperous run this book deserves to have.
Final Verdict: 9.5 — Buy while you can before it ends up on E-Bay for $150 bucks.
