Epoch, the new series from Image comics, Top Cow and Heroes and Villains Entertainment is an interesting series that mixes a police procedural with super natural elements.  The series really has two parts to it.  Jonah is a police officer whose partner has been killed on the job.  It also turns out his partner was an Archangel who leads a council of super natural creatures that determines their place in the world.  It’s a cool concept.

There’s a lot I like about the series.  There’s a good balance between the police investigation by Jonah and his figuring out the truth of his lineage.  In between the political maneuvering and this super natural world that becomes unraveled, his main focus is figuring out the murder of his partner and hopefully the comic isn’t as straight forward as it seems.

It’s not the most original of comics, but it draws together solid and entertaining ideas and puts them all together in a solid package.

Epoch #1

The first issue is solid.  It’s full of action and gets you right into it all.  There’s a build up as to what the big mystery is and it all comes off as entertaining.  The art is solid as well with great character designs and a visually interesting style.

THE GREATEST TOURNAMENT THE WORLD HAS NEVER SEEN BEGINS ANEW! Top Cow Productions and Heroes and Villains Entertainment proudly present a dark and intensely kinetic tale from writer KEVIN McCARTHY (Red Sonja, The Amazing Adventures of the Escapist) and newcomer PAOLO PANTALENA (What If?: House of M, War of Kings: Darkhawk). Jonah Bishop is an NYPD detective assigned to a mysterious murder case that threatens to rip the reality he knows and plunge him into the shadow world of his heritage–the Supernatural. Jonah’s quest will drop him deep in the middle of a conspiracy that threatens to tear apart the very fabric of society.

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Story: Kevin McCarthy Art: Paolo Pantalena and Jorge Fares Cover: Paolo Pantalena and Paolo Barbieri

Publisher: Image Comics, Top Cow and Heroes and Villains Entertainment Cost: $3.99 Release Date: August 31

Epoch #2

The second issue picks up right where the first one left off.  Jonah is now teamed up with his father to determine who the murderer is.  There’s also a leadership void among the various super natural factions but especially the Angels.  A new champion for them must be chosen.  There’s really two stories going on here that seem like they’ll intertwine and it’s all enough to keep me coming back.

MURDER MEETS MAYHEM! Detective Jonah Wright has been pulled into the hidden world of the Supernatural as he races to solve the murder of his partner – the Archangel Gabriel. As a result of Gabriel’s death, Epoch, the tournament that determines the leader of the Supernatural Council has been enacted for the first time in millennia. But how will a mere human safely navigate the politics and battles between angels, demons, werewolves, vampires and the other Supernatural races?

Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy

Story: Kevin McCarthy Art: Paolo Pantalena and Jorge Fares Cover: Paolo Pantalena and Paolo Barbieri

Publisher: Image Comics, Top Cow and Heroes and Villains Entertainment Cost: $3.99 Release Date: September 14

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