The Ambassadors #1 delivers a twist on the superhero concept
Imagine you could gift superpowers to six people. In a world of eight billion, who do you choose? The Ambassadors #1 kicks off an intriguing addition to Millarworld, Mark Millar‘s interconnected superhero universe that’s building to some event later this year.
Written by Millar, The Ambassadors #1 is an intriguing start that does a solid job of setting up its premise and why it’s so different from what else is out there. This is a comic where the details come together to create something really intriguing.
The basic concept is there was an arms race to create real superheroes. Instead of a government achieving that, a corporation does and instead of profiting from it, they instead decide to do something that seems altruistic at first. It’s that idea, and the reverberations of it that makes the debut one to really ponder and come back for.
But, beyond that, Millar’s choice of how to introduce things, the story of who’s behind it, and the reactions make it a debut that just feels different. It’s something we really haven’t seen in mainstream comics since WildC.A.T.s 3.0, a take on the team that had them attempting to do good through a corporation and who it pissed off. How it all ties into the world Millar has set up too should make things very interesting going forward.
The art for The Ambassadors #1 is pretty solid. Frank Quitely kicks things off with color by Quitely and an assist by Vincent MG Deighan, and lettering by Clem Robins. While I generally enjoy Quitely’s work, there is a distinctive look to some of his characters of small eyes, thin eyebrows, and a large forehead. There’s almost a smoothness to it all that makes things doll like. It’s a look that’s off putting for me and while it’s not all the time, it’s prevalent enough in Quitely’s work that’s become a thing I’ve noticed. The opening sequence though is so good in its simplicity and the reveal towards the end and the actual finale are solid. There’s just some characters here and there that feel like a bump in otherwise amazing art.
Millar has been on a roll as he’s expanded Millarworld and The Ambassadors #1 is no exception. How it fits into the big picture should be very interesting but even on its own, without all of that, it’s a debut and series that’s well worth checking out.
Story: Mark Millar Art: Frank Quitely
Color: Frank Quitely Letterer: Clem Robins Color Assist: Vincent MG Deighan
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.4 Recommendation: Buy
Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – comiXology/Kindle
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