After reading this introductory issue, I found myself a bit torn. In some ways, the characters and premise is utterly generic, but there are other aspects of the plot that struck me as rather unconventional and novel. The best thing this book has going for it is the writer's decision to examine the notion that violence -- even super-hero violence -- has permanent, horrible ramifications. The world of Vulcan isn't one of adventure, but one of danger. But it doesn't come off as a darker, edgier take on super-heroes, a la Identity Crisis. Beatty embraces the corny conventions of the genre here as well. The art, on the other hands, tries to bring a greater intensity and style to the subject matter, but it falls flat. Keron Grant's style is clearly meant to appeal to the manga/anime crowd, but as has been the case with some of his previous efforts, the action doesn't unfold clearly.
A hero known as Vulcan descends upon the city of Charlton's Point to stop the murderous, eco-minded rampage of a madman named Jason Woodrue, better known as the Floronic Man. Vulcan's energized sword and fire powers seem perfect for bringing down the twisted villain, but caught by surprise, the hero seems destined to fall at the plant-man's hands. That's when an orphaned teen named Miguel Devante steps in and saves the day. Impressed by the boy's courage and instincts, Vulcan decides he is to be trained to one day carry on the heroic tradition of the Vulcan line.
Grant does a great job of capturing the surreal qualities of the Floronic Man. Ultimately, he comes off not as evil, but pathetic, twisted by his unnatural physiology. Where the artist goes astray is chiefly in his depiction of Vulcan. We never get a clear sense of the character. I realize he's built up as a larger-than-life figure, a godlike tower of strength; that's necessary in order for his downfall to have the appropriate impact. But I came away from the book feeling as though I didn't even get a clear sense of what he looked like. The design is so busy and the point-of-view are so skewed that there's not a crystal image of the character.
For those who don't know, Son of Vulcan is one of the super-hero properties DC picked up from Charlton Comics along with the Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, the Question and more. Beatty provides a nod to the property's publishing history in the form of the name of the urban setting -- Charlton's Point -- and it's appreciated, at least by this longtime enthusiast of the medium. Beatty also touches upon the Floronic Man's unusual history, even mentioning his stint as a New Guardian (those unfamiliar with DC's New Guardians, well, count yourselves lucky). The reference will no doubt go over the heads of those unfamiliar with the character's past, and it contributes nothing to the story. It's an example of a writer being shackled by continuity, and it's unfortunate. It's only a fleeting moment, though.
Beatty's purpose is clear: he's toying around with the sidekick convention and the notion of heroic legacies. The problem is that some of the plotting is pretty transparent, given its roots in super-hero tradition -- in other words, cliches. The writer tries to pull the rug out from under the title character and the reader at the end of the issue, but I feel he rushed into the moment too quickly. We don't get a chance to know the two main characters well at all, and therefore, the emotional impact of the climactic moment isn't as strong. Beatty seems to cram two issues' worth of storytelling in one for the sake of the immediate twist. I don't mind accerlated storytelling, but it seems to me Beatty's about to get pulled over for doing 75 in a 55 zone. 5/10
