Just when you think you’ve read the majority of super hero tales out there a person like writer Robert Kirkman steps up and throws out something new and unique.  Teamed up with Sheldon Mitchell on art, Stealth #1 is a very interesting twist on the super hero genre.  From the press release:

Todd Carey is recovering from a nasty divorce, his daughter is flunking out of college and he’s just learned that his father has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.  Unable to really take care of himself, Todd has allowed his father to move in with him.  What Todd doesn’t know, is that his father is the masked vigilante STEALTH… and has been his entire life.  Stealth has many enemies and his erratic behavior could easily get him killed–and all this trouble falls squarely in Todd’s lap.

We don’t know a thing about the origin of Stealth and the story works the better for it.  Without distractions of a back story we’re left to ponder, “what would happen to a person with extraordinary powers, if they were losing control of their mind?”  That’s the point of this issue and that’s where it’s focused with laser like proficiency.  It’s an interesting twist, and one we hope we get the chance to further explore.

Plot: Robert Kirkman can write characters and the interaction between them.  In just this first issue we’re treated between Todd’s relationship between his ex-wife, daughter and ailing father who has a secret.  The directions this series can go is impressive and we hope we see a second issue.  The focus is on a super hero, it’s a tale between a father and son.  We’ve seen what Kirkman can do with this type of series, and I want more.  Rating: 9

Art: Sheldon Mitchell can draw and the art is beautiful.  The combo of Mitchell’s art and Kirkman’s writing is top notch and the first issue is just fantastic to look at.  There’s some great touches (I appreciated the “Top Cow” graffiti) and there’s so much detail to look at, but at the same time the art doesn’t overpower the story and distract.  Can we make these two a team that always have to work together?  Rating: 9

Overall: Much like Kirkman’s other series The Walking Dead the focus here isn’t the super hero, it’s relationships.  The action and costumes is a side story who’s goal is to explore the main focus.  Father and son, father and brother, husband and wife, and father and daughter, these are the focus of the issue.  It’s creative, unique and welcome.  Here’s to much more to come.  Overall Rating: 9

Page count: 22 pages of story    Price: $2.99     Release: Wednesday 5/5/2010

Top Cow provided Graphic Policy with an advance copy of this issue for FREE for review.