Last month, Milestone returned with Static and now we get to see the line and world expand with Icon & Rocket: Season One #1. The series launches the classic hero and sidekick team-up and delivers a debut that’s a bit classic in its delivery with an updated setting.

The series takes us from the tragic trip that saw the alien known as Arnus crash on Earth. Taking on a human guise, he was raised among humans but over the years he decided his adopted home was beyond saving. Instead, he kept his gifts to himself living an isolated life. Enter Raquel Ervin, a bright young woman, who fell into the wrong crowd and crossed paths with Arnus, now going by Augustus Freeman. Thus setting up the duo known as Rocket and Icon.

Written by Reginald Hudlin, Icon & Rocket: Season One #1 is an entertaining start. The debut has some classical elements to it feeling like a mix of classic Superman and Batman in varying ways. But, it also looks to challenge the superhero genre. Augustus is an individual with immense power and chooses not to use it. He sees the negativity in his actions that removing one problem will create a vacuum for another to fill. It’s an interesting approach to the “why don’t superheroes solve xyz problem?”.

I haven’t read previously released comics featuring the duo so coming in fresh to the series, it feels engaging to me. While it’s a generally slow beginning (showing modern decompression in its storytelling), it also builds to its finale delivering a glimmer of hope. It’s interesting in that way as we see subtle shifts from a cold, negative, start to a slightly classic finale that shines a beacon of light.

The art is solid. Doug Braithwaite‘s pencils deliver a lot of detail that begs the reader to linger on pages to get the great story. Joined by Scott Hanna and Andrew Currie on ink, Brad Anderson on color, and lettering by Andworld Design, the comic looks fantastic. It delivers a somewhat dour mood without being depressing. The look and style has a darkness before the light aspect about it. The comic could easily have featured a much more over the top and violent opening but the art captures the scared nature of its assailants and downplays the actions in some ways. These aren’t hardened criminals but petty thieves who stumble and make a horrible mistake. The art captures the emotional journey of its initial focus.

Icon & Rocket: Season One #1 is a solid debut for me. Without knowing a lot about the series, it’s a start that has me wanting to come back to read more. There’s a retro feel in some ways but also a touch of modern comics. It’s another success for Milestone which is finally back and delivering the quality we’ve been waiting for.

Story: Reginald Hudlin Art: Doug Braithwaite
Ink: Scott Hanna, Andrew Currie Color: Brad Anderson Letterer: Andworld Design
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Zeus Comics – TFAW