The show Smallville is probably one of the best fresh takes on a well-worn tale. Superman is probably one of the most prolifically adapted comic book adaptations of all time. DC Comics has had great success with him and Batman but has only recently started to explore the rest of their pantheon on television and movies.  What made the show so appealing was how he struggled with both growing up and having superpowers.

One of the biggest storylines throughout the show is the meteor shower that brought Kal El to Earth. It gave powers to hundreds of people, some who used them for good and some for bad. What that revealed is that everything is a choice. In the debut issue of The Resistance, a similar event happens like in Smallville but more catastrophic results.

We descend into a world where a virus much like COVID has ravaged masses, leaving world leaders at no intelligible way of conveying what is happening. As we meet one young child who suffers from this retrovirus that her parents seemingly have moments left with her before she passes. We go to Moscow and Beijing, where their political leaders frustrate and ruminate of how to self-quarantine, with no cure in sight. Eventually, riots break out worldwide, followed by months of panic and deaths, in surprisingly, jubilation, as a cure was never produced, but the virus simply stopped attacking. We meet Lisa, one of a pair of twins who survive the virus, but whose sister dies from unforeseen circumstances, but who has gained powers maybe because of it. America also gets a new president, an independent, whose claims seem more of a true center than real politicians on the surface, but is actually a plan for a fascist government. By the issue’s end, an important person in the president’s circle is taken by men in black masks, which can mean impossible times for the survivors.

Overall, an excellent debut issue, that re-contextualizes the times we are in and adding a superhero twist. The story by J. Michael Straczynski is relevant and is very well developed. The art by the creative team is breathtaking. Altogether, a story that will be relevant for a very long time.

Story: J. Michael Straczynski Art: Mike Deodato Jr., Frank Martin Jr., and Rahzzah
Story: 10 Art: 10 Overall: 10 Recommendation: Buy