Across the planet and unknown to each other, a group of troubled teenagers lead lives of quiet desperation. But hell is about to befall them and they find their lives destroyed when they are targeted by dark forces.

On the run, they discover they have unbelievable powers and must come together as The Troop!

If you were recreating X-men comics, with more of adult feel in both violence, story, and art work it would be The Troop. The story starts off slow, and rockets up to an intense speed in only few pages, as chaos ensues. It comes complete with an unknown organization hunting the main characters, along an order of religious zealots called the Balance. If the first issue is a small hint at what is going to hopefully continue in the next issues, it will be one thrilling read.

Keeping with the fast pace story, the art work amplifies that with use of  a multitude colors. Outside of the few slower bits in the beginning, the artwork keeps up with story wonderfully. Rarely skipping on the gore, when the intense and often brutal fight scenes happen. Even in the few calmer and more “adult,” scenes the panels are well drawn, sharing an odd sense of realism. While balancing the action, and violence superbly well.

Story: Noel Clarke Art: Joshua Cassara
Story: 9.5 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.25 Recommendation: Buy

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

The Troop #1, first and foremost, is uncomfortable. This is not meant to be a negative. This is a compliment to how real and visceral the world that writer Noel Clarke creates is. The story centers around three young people who have supernatural abilities that are being hunted by both, an unidentified agency, and a strange man who claims to have their best interest at hand. It is one of the heights of the story that no one seems worthy of trust. The agency is brutal in their methodology but, the man saving the super powered youths is also working to a larger ominous goal. Each of the young people become a pawn in a much larger chess match and it is very easy to feel pained for these individuals as they only want a sense of normalcy that was ripped from them when their powers were discovered. Each of their backstories are also brutal and violent but, not over the top. While each is tragic, it also feels very much like what would happen in the real world. This is the true strength of the book. Nothing is held back. This is a violent world they live in and nothing that has happened so far feels as if that world will end happily ever after. It is captivating to watch but, horrifying to think of where future events will take these characters.

The artwork in the issue is absolutely fantastic. Each scene is dynamic, and the layouts are expertly chosen to keep the story moving at the perfect pace. There is one particular 11 panel page, that seamlessly goes from slow tragic buildup to high tension, while also ending one backstory and moving towards another all on a single page. Furthermore, a special notice needs to go to the color work, which creates a haunting atmosphere and a haze over the world. It all fits expertly into the world Troop is creating.

Overall, The Troop #1 creates a highly intriguing tale of danger and violence but, beyond that, creates a deeper world of people trying to survive being hunted through no fault of their own. Rather, these people are being hunted for simply being who they are, and that message is as relevant in our world today as it has ever been.

Story: Noel Clarke Art: Joshua Cassara
Story: 9 Art: 9 Overall: 9 Reccommendation: Buy

Titan Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review