DC dusts off another one of its more obscure properties and gives it a Vertigo shine. The Losers was, at one time, a recurring DC war comic property, featuring a small band of military men (and for a while, a woman) who were notorious in the armed forces for botched missions. Together, they hoped to prove themselves to be the loyal soldiers and skilled professionals in the art of war. The new Losers aren't out for redemption; it's revenge they're after. Diggle's well-crafted script and Jock's dark, edgy artwork make for entertaining read. For those looking for a brief, high-concept statement, try this on for size...
Losers is The A-Team, only, you know, not retarded.
The Central Intelligence Agency is one of the most powerful forces in the world, and it's run by ruthless men who employ black-ops soldiers to carry out the unthinkable and the impossible. But the CIA has cut loose one of its teams, and they're back in the United States, looking to get some payback. They've got a plan to make things quite uncomfortable for the man who betrayed them, but to pull it off, they've got to steal some transportation... and a used sedan just isn't going to fit the bill.
Jock's artwork strikes me as a merging of the styles of Sean (Sleeper) Phillips and Eduardo (100 Bullets) Risso. His angular style captures an edgy, hip quality that could appeal to a younger audience in their late teens. Jock's designs for the title characters are simple but striking. There's no confusion despite the newness of the players. Loughridge's colors suit the dark qualities of the line art, the plot and characters. The muted colors help to maintain a tense tone throughout the book.
Though far more intense and grave in tone, overall, Diggle seems to be telling a caper story. You just have to love caper stories. Ingenuity, charm and luck converge to turn an impossible mission into something that seems like a cakewalk. These men and women live dangerous lives, but they're exciting, glorious ones as well. Heist stories are a wonderful escape into a world that makes the audience want to be bad. Losers is radically different than, say, Ocean's Eleven, but there are elements and strengths in common.
The most striking thing about this debut issue is how quickly Diggle immerses the reader in the Losers' world. The characters are clearly introduced, and the dialogue flows naturally while filling us in on the basics of the premise. This new series is remarkably new-reader-friendly, and the storytelling is of a quality that it will keep them coming back for more.
