C.O.W.L. #5
Story By: Kyle Higgins
Story By: Alec Siegel
Art By: Rod Reis
Cover By: Trevor McCarthy
Cover Price: $3.50
Digital Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: JUL140538
Published: September 24, 2014
The end of the first arc and a huge turning point for the series! John Pierce and Geoffrey Warner square off over C.O.W.L.’s big secret, Radia faces public outcry, and Arclight resorts to lethal force…against one of his own.
C.O.W.L. #4
Story By: Kyle Higgins
Story By: Alec Siegel
Art By: Rod Reis
Cover By: Trevor McCarthy
Cover Price: $3.50
Digital Price: $2.99
Diamond ID: JUN140544
Published: August 27, 2014
As City Hall continues to threaten Geoffrey Warner, Blaze must find a way to unite C.O.W.L…. even as John’s investigation brings a dark cloud over the organization.
Welcome to the “Chicago Organized Workers League”— the world’s first Super-Hero Labor Union! While C.O.W.L. once stood as a beacon of hope against an epidemic of organized crime and an unbeatable “brotherhood” of Super-Villains, the union now faces its fiercest foe yet—a disillusioned public. In targeting the last of the great villains, C.O.W.L. attempts to prove its value to the world and to each other, while staving off villainy from both outside and inside its offices.
C.O.W.L. #1 is a series I really anticipated. The idea of a labor union involving super heroes is really interesting to me, and if done right, could be a fascinating discussion on labor, and the need (or not) for labor unions in today’s world.
This first issue though starts off as a pretty average super hero comic. It’s not bad at all, it just doesn’t really show off it’s premise all that well. What we have is clearly a super hero team with some personality issues. The series quickly, and efficiently, introduces us to the various characters of the series in an action sequence as they attempt to take down a villain. We get familiar with the world, and a general sense of where things are at. What I didn’t get a sense of was that union part. Great idea, but in the first issue it doesn’t quite show off the premise.
I did love the art of Rod Reis. The style is very cool and though there’s slight issues at points where it’s hard to tell what’s going on, the painted like look is cool and fits the setting and vibe. The style really shows off when the action settles down.
Overall, the comic is an interesting start, it just doesn’t quite hit the mark as far as how it’s pitched. I’ll definitely check out the next issue, and here’s hoping we’ll see more of its premise there.
Story: Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel Art: Rod Reis
Story: 7 Art: 7.75 Overall: 7 Recommendation: Read
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
This May, Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel, and Rod Reis take readers back to 1960s Chicago, in a time when the once-celebrated superhero labor union C.O.W.L. struggles to maintain their public image and regain the confidence of the people.
A rise in “super powered” individuals dates back to the closing days of World War II after the deployment of the atomic bomb. In response, Geoffrey Warner (then known as The Grey Raven) spearheaded the campaign to bring heroes together in Chicago…and struck a contract with the city for the heroes’ services. But while C.O.W.L. once stood as a beacon of hope against an epidemic of organized crime and a loose “brotherhood” of villains, the organization is now in a position where it must prove its worth to an ever more disillusioned public…while overcoming great threats from both inside and outside its offices.
Although Geoffrey, aka The Grey Raven is the character responsible for first organizing the heroes under one banner, C.O.W.L., he’s not the only character readers will get to know. “
In a release, Siegel explained:
While Geoffrey is definitely a major player, both within C.O.W.L and within the story, the book is very much an ensemble piece, allowing us to explore C.O.W.L. from a number of different viewpoints. These characters range from some of the “top tier” heroes, to members of the Investigations and Patrol Divisions. We’ve also got spouses, reporters, Chicago Police Detectives, jailers, and City Hall.
The concept for C.O.W.L. has been marinating with Higgins for quite some time. Its first appearance was in his college film, The League. “
Higgins said in the same release:
As someone who loves history, comics, and crime fiction, 1960s Chicago was always the perfect era for C.O.W.L. In fact, it’s what got me to take the idea of organized superheroes seriously. Between the politics and labor unions in Chicago, and the rise of Marvel Comics, the early ’60s are one of my favorite periods in American History.
Reis added:
With this I project tried to play around a little with references for comics and illustration. Stuff like ’80s graphic novels, noir and ’60s illustration, to create a fun and exciting way to tell the story.
Kyle Higgins, Alec Siegel, and Rod Reis’s C.O.W.L. is projected to debut in May 2014 from Image Comics.
Official Press Release
Celebrate Captain America’s 70th Anniversary This March!
This March, Marvel celebrates the historic 70th anniversary of an American icon, Captain America! Celebrate this milestone for the Sentinel of Liberty all month long with top-notch stories from Marvel’s top creators! Kicking off the anniversary month is Captain America And Falcon #1, the first of five great one-shots starring Captain America and featuring Falcon, Crossbones, the Secret Avengers, Peggy Carter and Batroc! Not only will each of these pivotal stories feature Captain America and those who have made him the man he is today, but they’re loaded with excellent bonus content! Fans also can’t miss out on the limited edition print of all of these five one-shot covers connecting by red-hot artist Greg Tocchini.
Then, for fans who aren’t up to speed on Ed Brubaker’s critically acclaimed epic run on Captain America, find out where the future of Captain America is headed in a special Marvel Point One issue – Captain America #615.1 – great for new readers! Steve Rogers makes a decision on who will be the new Captain America that no fan can miss!
Once you’re all caught up, you’ll be all ready for the supersized anniversary issue, Captain America #616, from the megastar creative team of Ed Brubaker, Howard Chaykin, Butch Guice and so many more! And that’s not all because all month long because no Captain America fan can miss out on special 70th Anniversary Variants featuring Captain America throughout the ages alongside Marvel’s greatest heroes by some of Marvel’s top artists! For 70 years, Captain America has fought for truth, justice and the American Way, and Marvel can think of no better way to pay homage to this iconic hero!
CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1 (JAN110704)
CAPTAIN AMERICA AND FALCON #1 GATEFOLD VARIANT (JAN110705)
Written by ROB WILLIAMS
Penciled by REBEKAH A. ISAACS
Cover by GREG TOCCHINI
Gatefold Cover by GREG TOCCHINI
Rated T+ …$3.99
FOC – 2/7/11, On Sale – 3/2/11
CAPTAIN AMERICA #615.1 (JAN110702)
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by MITCH BREITWEISER
Cover by DANIEL ACUNA
Rated T+ …$2.99
FOC – 2/14/11, On Sale – 3/9/11
CAPTAIN AMERICA #616 (JAN110703)
Written by ED BRUBAKER, HOWARD CHAYKIN, MIKE BENSON, FRANK TIERI, KYLE HIGGINS, ALEC SIEGEL & MORE!
Penciled by MUTCH GUICE, HOWARD CHAYKIN, PAUL GRIST & MORE!
Cover by TRAVIS CHAREST
Rated T+ …$4.99
FOC – 2/28, On Sale – 3/23/11
