In a rare solo outing, Bryan Hitch marries his widescreen cinematic style with the advent of big budget superhero blockbusters in this bombastic new mini-series from Image Comics.
Written and Illustrated by Bryan Hitch
They are the six most famous actors in the world and together they play The Olympians, the biggest superhero movie franchise in history. Would you ask them to save the world? They may be our only hope…
“Real Heroes” is caught between two distinct eras of Hitch’s career; the “glory” days of the early 2000’s and the Hollywood frenzied present. The book falls in line with the artist’s early successes, such as “The Ultimates.” It also heavily apes The Avengers, the billion dollar phenom that was heavily influenced by Hitch’s designs on previously mentioned comic series. The combination makes for an interesting high concept, but there are a few kinks in the execution.
The book opens on the morning of 9/11, setting a tone that is, again, quite similar to Hitch’s most famous post-9/11 works. It also quickly establishes a deeper meaning for the book’s somewhat facetious title. Hitch also uses the tragedy to introduce Chris, the book’s central protagonist. While the approach is a tad ham-fisted, the September 11th tragedy remains a powerful touchstone for many, and the sequence is rather emotional in light of the sacrifices and losses of that day.
Fast-forward to the present, Hitch establishes the “Olympians,” a multi-billion dollar film franchise that has taken the world by storm. In a total over-the-top comic fashion, the writer introduces us to the character’s alter egos, the titular Olympians. In a way, this book feels like two stories in one, with the Olympian’s movie-verse taking on a small life of its own in spite of book’s central “real-world” setting.
The Olympians themselves aren’t terribly noteworthy. They’re a mostly generic team of superhero-tropes; speedsters, gods, archers and the like. Still, this section plays well to Hitch’s strengths as an artist. There are a few interesting ideas and designs, particularly the character Hardware, a hero best described as Oracle meets Iron Man.
Outside of the movie world, the story centers around the film’s star actors and actresses. Each character has his or her foibles. Some take major cues from the real world, such as the Robert Downey Jr. inspired Danny West or golden boy Chris Reynolds (who may or may not be an amalgam of comic-film veterans Chris Evans and Ryan Reynolds). The cast is rather “on-the-nose” all around, some laughably so. Take Jennifer Sanchez, a character who portrays the size-shifting Olympian “Tiny Titan” and authored a motivational weight-loss book. Hitch definitely plants the seeds for character growth. However, even with the distinctive niches, quirks, and archetypes laid on each character, the cast is mostly underwhelming. Of course, that may be intentional, playing up the “shallow actor/actress” stereotype.
The book’s real world influences run deeper than its Avengers pastiche. The issue references stars like Charlie Sheen, Downey Jr., and Carey Mulligan, while pitting Olympians 2: Devestation against box office titan Avatar. Hitch even goes as far as placing Josh Trank in the directors chair of his fictional-film. Most of the references work extremely well in the context of the story Hitch is telling, in the time he is telling it. However, heavy reliance on current pop culture also gives the book a clear time stamp.
Artistically, “Real Heroes” #1 is exactly what you would expect from a Bryan Hitch production. Big action abounds across multiple double splash pages. The issue feels rather dense, however, with several dialogue heavy pages, packed with panels. Here, Hitch’s work doesn’t feel quite as smooth or detailed here as it has in the past. Some of these denser panels, particularly during the movie premiere, feel muddled. However, the Olympian movie sequences and latter third are classic Hitch, with dynamic points-of-view and unfettered energy.
“Real Heroes” is a certainly a book that is trying to do something different with the super hero genre, while also capitalizing on mainstream obsession with the genre. In this first issue, Hitch lays down a compelling high concept, an intriguing (if somewhat shallow) cast, and an absolutely off-the-wall twist. As a proposed four issue mini-series, “Real Heroes” has the potential to tell a unique and timely story. The book benefits from Hitch’s artistic contribution, but has a lot of work to do before it finds solid ground with readers.
Final Verdict: 4.8 – Browse. “Real Heroes” #1’s solid art and an intriguing concept are ultimately hindered by a lack of depth.
