Hmmm, can’t say I know anything about this comic and I went into this series blind as to the characters, world, everything.  And for once I felt I was at a disadvantage.  Published by Wildstorm, written by Gail Simone with art by Horacio Domingues, Weclome to Tranquility: One Foot in the Grave follows a town filled with super heroes and the return to society of one who was accused of a crime.

The fan-favorite series from Gail Simone returns as Sheriff Thomasina Lindo and the town of Tranquility’s unique inhabitants face a new crisis: the return of Mayor Fury from prison! Following the cataclysmic events in the previous series, Mayor Fury faced a trial for murder and was acquitted when the star witness refused to testify. Now he’s free and wants to come home to the town he loves, but a powerful foe from his past has other plans for Fury – and the entire town!
Acclaimed writer Gail Simone (WONDER WOMAN, BIRDS OF PREY) and artist Horacio Domingues (WILDCATS: NEMESIS) spin a new tale from the wondrously small town populated by larger-than-life superhuman citizens!

The story is entertaining, the characters fun with some nice art, but there was something I was missing.  There clearly was history here, and even though I technically didn’t need to know it, I felt like I was clearly missing jokes but no being aware of it.

You’ll be able to pick up this issue and read it no problem.  And it’s definitely an entertaining read.  But there’s just something I feel like was going over my head.  I recommend the issue, but am definitely a bit hesitant about it.

Plot: The story of a super hero returning to his friends after being accused of a crime is interesting, and the cast of characters is pretty entertaining.  But I just felt like there was all this history that I was completely unaware of.  It was a bit frustrating, because what I did read, I really enjoyed.  I’d have to imagine if you knew all of the characters, it’d be really entertaining, but I felt like there was some bigger joke I wasn’t a part of.  Rating: 7.5

Art: I liked the art a lot in the comic.  It was pretty entertaining and there’s some scenes where there’s a lot going on.  Domingues does a really good job of mixing it up and even when the panel is filled it’s not too busy and a lot of fun to look at.  Rating: 8

Overall: I liked the comic, it was definitely entertaining.  And I know those that know the material will appreciate it even more.  I recommend the comic, and definitely recommend it for those “in the know.”  Overall rating: 7.75

Recommendation: Buy

Page count: 22 pages    Price: $3.99    Release Date: 7/21/2010

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