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Review: Vrica: Ascension Protocol

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One of the greatest plot devices used in stories are secrets. Secrets usually comprise parts of a larger mystery, riving protagonists towards the truth. What really makes heroes usually in these journeys are the choices they make and the consequences which follow once they find out the truth. The self-righteous ideological heroes always want to expose the truth.

The pragmatist heroes usually dispose of all evil doers right there and then, much like Moon Knight and the Punisher. The problem with both types of heroes always come back to the consequences, as those in power usually wants to keep everything status quo. The reality is truth and morality rarely play in the same arena and even rarer, do either ever get realized. This is what plays out in the second volume of VRICA: Ascension Protocol, as we catch up with the team 5 years later.

In the second volume, the team’s intentions are questioned and even vilified in front of national television as Dark Wolf’s past sins weigh heavy on him. We are introduced to a WWII threat, known as Kraegeries, which consumed 10000 Jewish prisoners’ souls to power these gundam type robots, a gift from Hitler to then prime minister of India. An old girlfriend form Dark Wolf’s pops back into his life just when he must endure a fire fight with Sabnacks, the earliest meta human units, which were deployed to attack VRICA, uncovering a plan that one of Pakistan’s generals were planning a nuclear attack on India. By the end of this volume, the back and forth between present and past, converge, to explain the future evil that lies, the next super soldier.

Overall, a great installment, as this just ups the stakes for all the characters involved and gives the reader a great backstory but even more dire consequences within a historical and geopolitical context. The story by Aniruddho Chakraborty is both heart pounding and intellectually stimulating. The art by Tamal Saha and Tarun Kumar Sahu is simple yet derivative. Altogether, this ride just got faster, with more twists than advertised.

Story: Aniruddho Chakraborty Art: Tamal Saha and Tarun Kumar Sahu
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy

Review: Vrica: Dawn of the Wolf OGN

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Agents of SHIELD is one of those TV shows that either you love or you hate. The intrigue that was shown in Captain America: Winter Soldier, provided the fertile ground for the series to be a serious spy thriller. Instead, it is a show with more downs than ups, and seriously hampered its potential. It is currently going through a major storyline, dealing with timelines and alternate universes.

The comics have had a few storylines dealing with SHIELD, where it appears it could be a major player in the Marvel Universe. There have been some great ones, like the current Nick Fury solo series, which has all the whiz bangs of the bygone era of James Bond. I always felt that the organization as a character was seriously underserved, and acted more as window dressing than an organization making the world a better place, taking on missions of great importance. So, when I heard about VRICA, from Indian upstart, Chariot Comics, I was intrigued, as though I got my wish fulfillment for SHIELD by reading this book.

In the debut volume, we are introduced to a team that I would describe as the “team from Mission Impossible” but with superpowers. We are introduced to Dark Wolf (the Indian Winter Soldier) Longbeard (an Indian Hawkeye) Binary, Falcon, and White Fang (a male Indian Black Widow), a super team who has just saved New Delhi from a massive terrorist threat. As an old villain from Dark Wolf’s past comes back into the light, known as the Reaper the team springs into action before he can unleash havoc on the country. Before the end of the volume, a battle royale between Dark Wolf and The Reaper ensues, leaving no doubt who is the victor, and as a bonus the reader gets a to know each of the other members of the team as they go on their own solo missions.

Overall, a great introduction to a team of heroes, some super, some not, but together, can take on any adversary. The story by Aniruddho Chakraborty, is suspenseful and provides loads of intrigue that can satisfy the biggest spy fiction fan. The art by Tamal Saha and Tarun Kumar Sahu, is simply gorgeous. Altogether, a full tilt boogie hat this reviewer will be taking again soon.

Story: Aniruddho Chakraborty Art: Tamal Saha and Tarun Kumar Sahu
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy