The crazy thing about being first in anything is that no one has ever seen what you have done before. I can think of how people never thought that America would ever see a Black president. The world thought we would see a female president beforehand and it is almost befuddling to think for either milestone it took until the 21st century to seriously think of it. As far as America finally having a President of color, it somehow could cross that threshold without first looking at its ugly history.
When Milestone Comics came on the scene years before we had even seriously pondered these possibilities, it came with a bit of skepticism. These heroes purported some of the same avenues as other superheroes, just they had melanin. Since then, many creators have taken up that mantle to mixed results. In 133Art’s One Nation, we find another hero, with a deeper hue, but with as much valor.
We are taken to 1991 Kuwait, where an Army platoon is carrying out a search and destroy mission, and where we meet our hero, Deacon, whose unit has come under heavy fire from an ambush, and using his powers becomes the only way any of them gets out of this firefight alive. As we go back in time to 1971 Louisiana, where a bunch of ruffians is chasing a black couple down the road where they coincide with the crashing of a yellow object falling from the sky, where a humanoid boy lay. Fast Forward 10 years later, and Deacon is 10 human years older, seemingly normal, until a flood forces him and his family off the road to car mishap, making it the first time Deacon uses his powers to get him and his family safe. By the issue’s end, Deacon’s road to becoming Paragon is littered with lies and bodies, a path he intends to set clear.
Overall, an engaging debut that has shadows of some familiar characters but happens to be more interesting. The story by Jason Reeves and Alverne Ball is exciting. The art by Reeves and Luis Guerrero is enticing. Altogether, an exquisite take on the superhero genre, that looks to be more appealing than its predecessors.
Story: Jason Reeves and Alverne Ball
Art: Jason Reeves and Luis Guerrero
Story: 9.8 Art: 9.7 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy