Review: Catalyst Prime: Accell #1
Daniel DosSantos is a young man living at the speed of life. After gaining powers from exposure to an extraterrestrial object, DosSantos became the rapid action superhero called Accell. The first of a new public kind of self-appointed crime fighter. Unfortunately, there are consequences to moving faster than sound. Accell about to learn that danger exists on the flipside of having super powers, and will have to grow up quickly to survive.
There’s a lot of speedsters when it comes to comic books and superheroes. Every universe seems to have at least one, if not multiple. So, in the run up to this comics’ release I’ve been intrigued to see how Daniel DosSantos, aka Accell, will stand out from all of the rest out there.
Catalyst Prime: Accell #1 drops us into it all as we’re quickly introduced to DosSantos courtesy of writer Joe Casey who delivers a character that feels relatable in so many ways and a lot of that is due to the details Casey and artists Damion Scott and Robert Campanella include.
Daniel feels like a real world individual playing video games and generally having a pop culture outlook on things. That’s apparent by his references and how the art enhances it with hearts to show off his health, like the video games he loves. But, it’s the attitude of the comic that really stands out as DosSantos clearly loves what he does as a superhero with a general fun and positive outlook on the world and life. He’s also learning his powers and that depiction is what really stands out to me. It’s not just how speed can be used to save the day but the aftermath of those actions. It feels new, unique, and kind of funny at the same time. I’m not ruining it here, but the details the team puts into this makes the comic shine.
The art style overall has a pop style to it full of the energy it attempts to depict with colors and a look that crackles with the enthusiasm and attitude of the writing within. The comic has so much life and energy, a word I keep coming back to, because it truly is a great way to describe it all. When I thought nothing new could be mined with this type of power, I’m surprised with exactly that.
But, through all of that positive fun, the team puts real world issues at the center of it all. It’s not person gets powers and just so happens to fight bad people with powers. Instead we get a Romeo & Juliet aspect to the story that feels new and with its tinge of racism feels grounded in a hateful sort of way. Again, it’s something many can relate to and a detail and twist to it all that makes the series stand out.
Do I love the debut? That’s an understatement. I’ve enjoyed everything Lion Forge has released in their Catalyst Prime universe but this comic debuts in such a way that it challenges a lot of other superhero comics out there from the big two. It has a life that’s missed by many and attention to detail that creates an experience that’s heads above the rest. My favorite comic I’ve read this week.
Story: Joe Casey Art: Damion Scott and Robert Campanella
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.5 Overall: 9.5 Recommendation: Buy
Lion Forge provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
