I wasn't a fan of New Warriors during its first incarnation (created by Fabian Nicieza and Mark Bagley, if memory serves), so I wasn't exactly pumped about this new humorous take on the concept and characters. Furthermore, Zeb Wells has been a hit-or-miss writer for me, and Skottie Young's over-the-top, Humberto Ramos-influenced style isn't really my cup o' tea. But this new effort surprised me. It was entertaining, and Wells's latest spin on the reality-show spoof approach works pretty well. The art is striking and dynamic, but ultimately, the exaggerated visuals and one new character made the story seem a little too farcical for my taste.
A couple of reality-show producers have hooked up with Night Thrasher to create a new show that takes super-heroes out of the gleaming skyscrapers and dangerous streets of New York City and places them in Small Town America for a change. Super-villains can be found everywhere, it seems, and their crimes vary in severity. Case in point: a couple of superhuman prison escapees have been stiffer a local pizza delivery boy, so it's the New Warriors to the rescue!
Young's art certainly has the kind of youthful energy that's called for here. I have to give credit where credit is due -- I really like the redesigns for Speedball, Nova and especially Namorita. Furthermore, both villains look like the immense brutes they've been made out to be in previous appearances. Speedball comes off looking too young in this issue, though, and Microbe's design doesn't do anything for me. The grim, brooding look for Night Thrasher doesn't fit in here at all either. While this is primarily a comedy, there are times when the script plays it straight. Unfortunately, the exaggerated quality of Young's style doesn't really lend itself to that tone.
Wells's satirical look at the lack of reality in reality shows serves as a pleasant little diversion, and one needn't be a die-hard New Warriors fan in order to follow along with the story and action. Wells's script even makes it easier to buy into the notion of heroes going along with such a scheme. I like that the writer doesn't play things up for laughs completely, that some straightforward super-hero adventure is to be found here as well.
OK, I don't get it. What's the point of Microbe? I realize that he's here for comic relief, but Wells never explains exactly why the new character is included in this group. It'll probably be revealed as the series progresses, but when introducing a new character, it would have made sense to fill the reader -- and the heroes -- on his raison d'etre. To make matters worse, the timid character isn't all that funny. That gag of someone who can telepathically communicate with germs isn't worth much more than a brief smirk. 6/10
