Heroes Reborn: American Knights #1
(W) Paul Grist (A) Chris Allen (CA) Chris Sprouse
56 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+
In Shops: Jun 02, 2021
SRP: $4.99
An epic, oversize slugfest between the Squadron Supreme and an otherworldly group of Avengers for the final fate of the whacked-out world of HEROES REBORN.
Heroes Reborn #5 (of 7)
(W) Jason Aaron (A) Ed McGuinness, R. M. Guera (CA) Leinil Francis Yu
40 PGS./Rated T+
In Shops: Jun 02, 2021
SRP: $4.99
When there’s a riot at the Ravencroft Asylum, Nighthawk must descend alone into a realm of madness, surrounded by the most deranged members of his notorious rogues’ gallery, including his archenemy, the maniacal Goblin.
Before I start my review, I have to disclose that I haven’t been reading Heroes Reborn (The 2021 edition), but I’m familiar with the Squadron Supreme of America from earlier in Jason Aaron’s Avengers run as well as their earlier appearances. However, not following Heroes Reborn won’t be a problem for fans of the merry mutants as Steve Orlando, Bernard Chang, and David Curiel conjure up a popular X-trope in Magneto and the Mutant Force #1: the dark future. Basically, Professor X is presumed dead, and a wheelchair-bound Magneto, Jubilee, Rogue, Frenzy, and Emma Frost have to beat the clock and psychically find the last bit of his consciousness to protect the mutants of the Island of M (Krakoa, but less utopian and in the Bermuda Triangle.) from the Squadron Supreme of America.
This kind of story’s been done a lot in X-Men comics over the years, but Orlando and Chang go even darker and spring some traps and twists along the way. Bernard Chang’s art and Curiel’s colors are pretty standard issue superhero comics in the outside world. However, once they get into Magneto/Professor X’s mind, panel boundaries become more fluid, and much more black is used. Chang unveils some macabre, “maybe I need a little more context for that” imagery like Professor X enacting genocide on Power Princess of the Squadron Supreme of America’s people, the Utopians. It’s the kind of violence we see from Magneto in some of his experiences, and it’s that much more jarring coming from an overtly “peaceful” figure in Charles Xavier although almost 60 years of X-Men comics show he’s definitely a manipulative and messed up guy. The different approach to layouts and storytelling during the mindscape scenes does keep Magneto and the Mutant Force visually compelling for the most part as the outside battle erupts into evil (and possibly racist) Superman and Wonder Woman versus the X-Men.
One aspect of Steve Orlando’s approach to writing that I enjoy is how he uses his knowledge of continuity and character relationships to enhance his stories, and this is evident in both his Big Two work as well as some of his creator-owned comics like Commanders in Crisis and Project Patron. My favorite continuity nod he uses in Magneto and Mutant Force is a huge spoiler, but he brings back Israeli mutant Sabra to provide security for the psychic excursion and makes the Frenzy the embodiment of rage against the oppressors of marginalized folks. Bernard Chang also draws her as a total tank wrecking weird cop versions of Fantomex when they break Emma Frost out of the Muir Island Psionic Detention Center.
However, Orlando wisely centers Magneto and the Mutant Force around the relationship between Charles Xavier and Magneto while also undercutting it and talking about how mutants need to go beyond this paradigm. He writes dialogue that could easily be recited by Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen (Or James McAvoy and Michael Fassbender), but also ends up showing how mutants could thrive and not just survive by moving on instead of trying to salvage their past. I would be interested in seeing these ideas explored in a X-Book and not just an event tie-in, which is really a credit to Steve Orlando’s skill with characterization and using the one-shot format to do something bold plot-wise.
Because it’s a one-shot to an event centered around the Squadron Supreme of America, Magneto and Mutant Force #1 is hamstrung by their less than charismatic appearance, but Orlando and Chang still spin gold out of the situation by including elements of classic X-Men stories and also poking and prodding at them. Plus it features cool psychic visuals and phonetic spelling of Rogue’s Southern accents. Even if you’re not following Heroes Reborn, this comic is worth checking out for fans of stories like “Days of Future Past” (The film more so than the comic, honestly.), Age of Apocalypse, and “Here Comes Tomorrow” with a team dynamic that is classic X-Men-meets-Exiles.
Story: Steve Orlando Art: Bernard Chang
Colors: David Curiel Letters: Clayton Cowles
Story: 8.2 Art: 7.2 Overall:7.7 Recommendation: Read
Marvel Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW
Heroes Reborn: Young Squadron #1
(W) Jim Zub (A) Steven Cummings (CA) Karl Kerschl
Rated T+
In Shops: May 26, 2021
SRP: $4.99
The Squadron Supreme of America have taken root in the hearts and minds of all, but none more so than a trio of youthful champions who call themselves the Young Squadron!
Kid Spectrum (Sam Alexander), Girl Power (Kamala Khan) and the all-new Falcon (Miles Morales) are here to fight for truth, justice and the American flag…or are they?
Beneath the flashy facade of colorful adventure, something grim is stirring and Deadpool is determined to bring it to light.
Heroes Reborn: Siege Society #1
(W) Cody Ziglar (A) Paco Medina (CA) Ken Lashley
Rated T+
In Shops: May 26, 2021
SRP: $4.99
BLACK WIDOW & HAWKEYE LEAD AN ASSAULT ON THE SQUADRON!
• After the Civil War that split the Squadron Supreme in half, Nighthawk formed his own Squadron in Europe.
• But not all of Europe is okay with it. Baron Zemo has put together his own team to take them down. Who’s on this team?
• Natasha Romanov, Clint Barton, Scott Lang and Victor Creed.
• The Squadron doesn’t stand a chance.
Heroes Reborn: Magneto and the Mutant Force #1
(W) Steve Orlando (A) Bernard Chang (CA) Nick Bradshaw
Rated T+
In Shops: May 26, 2021
SRP: $4.99
CAN MAGNETO RESURRECT HOPE FOR MUTANTKIND BEFORE IT’S TOO LATE?
Years ago, Magneto and Professor X led Earth’s mutants in a final push for independence against the Squadron Supreme of America. What followed was the Squadron’s Mutant Massacre, a violent rebuttal that left Mutantkind forever wounded, and Xavier dead…or so Magneto thought. Years later, Magneto discovers Xavier clinging to life in the astral plane and gathers his allies for a first-of-its-kind rescue mission. Too bad the same mission puts the Mutant Force back on the Squadron’s radar!. Failure means the last gasp of mutantkind, but success means the first breaths of something even more elusive to the mutants of Heroes Reborn: HOPE.
Heroes Reborn #4 (of 7)
(W) Jason Aaron (A) James Stokoe, Ed McGuinness (CA) Leinil Francis Yu
Rated T+
In Shops: May 26, 2021
SRP: $4.99
With the cosmic might of his Power Prism, Doctor Spectrum has become the most feared lawman in the heavens. But now the dark forces of deep space have sent the galaxy’s most notorious bounty hunter to end Spectrum once and for all. That’s right, here comes Rocket Raccoon! Plus: In a backup tale, the all-new Starbrand finds herself alone in a strange new universe.
Continuing the rather interesting split issue format of the series, Heroes Reborn #3 is the strongest issue of the main event so far. The Marvel Universe has changed. The Avengers were never formed at the Squadron Supreme has stepped into their place. The only one who remembers the world that was is Blade who’s on a mission to find out what’s going on and fix everything. Heroes Reborn #3 begins to eliminate some of the possibilities for what’s going on while also putting the focus on Blur, the speedster member of the Squadron Supreme.
“Race Through the Dread Dimension” dives into Blur. And as a standalone story, it does a hell of a job in doing everything it needs to do. Impressively, we get hints as to an origin. We also get a solid idea as to who Blur is as a person and character. The answer is, an absolute ass. Writer Jason Aaron continues to use Marvel’s creations as an examination of classic DC characters, in this case, the Flash with some others thrown in. Stanley Stewart is the classic DC speedster mixed with the arrogance of Johnny Storm. He’s a character you want to punch.
The story does an excellent job of running through who Blur is as he watches television, plays on his phone, laments he’s “too fast” to do certain things, and brags about his dating. This is an arrogant person granted massive abilities and can’t sit still. Like his introduction, the story focuses on Silver Witch as she steals his soul and he attempts to get it back while racing through the Dark Dimension.
The story works far better than previous chapters as it focuses on Blur. The story feels less like a game of “see what’s different” as opposed to focusing on Blur. We get a good sense of who he is with a minimal amount of “guest stars”. There also seems to be a real focus on giving us a twisted take on The Flash. Gorilla City is replaced by Grizzly City as an example. On its own, it’s a very enjoyable story and great introduction to the character.
Federico Vicentini provides the art which does an excellent job of capturing the motion, and lack of it. With Matt Milla on art, the look of the comic is great as it attempts to mimic what really works with The Flash. It’s solid visuals to go along with a strong narrative.
“The Silent Inferno“, also written by Aaron, is the real focus on the main story. Blade is organizing his team to try to fix the world. He and Captain America recruit a new member that’s unexpected. The move eliminates one of the possible causes for what’s going on and also answers some questions in how they’ll deal with the Squadron Supreme’s heavy hitters. With art by Ed McGuinness, ink by Mark Morales, and color by Matthew Wilson, the story is an interesting chapter but feels too short. What stands out is the chapter’s ability at intrigue. I was sucked in as I wanted to see where it was going, who was the focus, and what was being said. It’s a solid entry in the greater story. But, overall, it emphasizes the issues with the event, it feels like it’s being dragged out and not focused enough on the main story.
Heroes Reborn #3 is the best release so far in the event. But, like the previous issue, at times it feels like a tie-in than the main story. But, what’s presented is really good, so there’s good and bad with the release. Overall, the event is a bit frustrating in how it’s presented and the pacing but we are at least getting some solid moments within all of the distraction.
Story: Jason Aaron Art: Federico Vicentini, Ed McGuinness
Color: Matt Milla, Matthew Wilson Ink: Mark Morales
Story: 8.35 Art: 8.35 Overall: 8.35 Recommendation: Buy
Marvel provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics
Heroes Reborn: Young Squadron #1
(W) Jim Zub (A) Steven Cummings (CA) Karl Kerschl
Rated T+
In Shops: May 26, 2021
SRP: $4.99
The Squadron Supreme of America have taken root in the hearts and minds of all, but none more so than a trio of youthful champions who call themselves the Young Squadron!
Kid Spectrum (Sam Alexander), Girl Power (Kamala Khan) and the all-new Falcon (Miles Morales) are here to fight for truth, justice and the American flag…or are they?
Beneath the flashy facade of colorful adventure, something grim is stirring and Deadpool is determined to bring it to light.
Heroes Reborn #3 (of 7)
(W) Jason Aaron (A) Federico Vicentini, Ed McGuinness (CA) Leinil Francis Yu
Rated T+
In Shops: May 19, 2021
SRP: $4.99
Chaos magic at Mach 5! Blur, the swiftest mortal alive, must win a race through the mind-bending Dread Dimension in order to save his soul from the hypersonic hexes of the Speedster Supreme, the Silver Witch. Plus a back-up tale takes us inside the dark secrets of the Ravencroft Asylum and its newest inmate, the Phoenix.
