Looks like my reviewing partner, Randy Lander, jumped the gun a bit three weeks ago when he declared this comic book to be the Best of the Week, since it's being released this week (at least, it is according to Image's website). No harm, no foul, though. I didn't care for this book quite as much as Randy did, but it is nevertheless an impressive debut from new talents. This title -- a mix of noir crime drama and science-fiction, a la Blade Runner -- entertains with its edgy quality and its outright coolness. However, there's no denying that there's a rather familiar tone at play as well; the setup is almost generic, and the main character is the stereotypical archetype of the tortured cop with nothing left to lose.
Law enforcement officer Agent Apollo Delk has seen a lot of sickos in his career, the kind of thing one just can't explain rationally, but he's dealt with them all effectively and efficiently. Now, he's perplexed, as he's approached by a mysterious organization with a proposal, telling him nothing and promising him answers and much more as long as he plays along. He soon discovers he's not the only one who's been approached, as he and four other remarkable individuals wait in a room for their would-be employer to be revealed, along with some answers.
Donaldson's pencils are strong and striking. He doesn't aim for a realistic look, instead employing sharp angles to bring the characters and the settings to life. His artwork here is like a cross between the styles of Jim (Superman) Lee and Jim (Grrl Scouts) Mahfood. The character designs are simple but striking. The coloring is especially strong. I loved the notion o using just grey tones to convey a flash-forward sequence, and the browns, reds and yellows employed in the majority of the book really bring a wonderfully unnatural tension to the story.
Cop quietly mourns the loss of his wife and child. Cop out-crazies the crazy villain. Strangers gather in a room, waiting to meet a mysterious benefactor/employer. White hero befriends bald, tough black dude. Sound familiar? Yeah, it does to me too... a little too familiar. Treffiletti's plot and characters aren't just archetypes, they're stereotypes. Fortunately, the book is able to overcome the fact that it's walking down a familiar path.
Treffiletti has developed a property here that reminds me of The Usual Suspects set in the world of The Fifth Element. Apollo is an exciting character, and while his buried sorrow and loose-cannon attitude may be a bit cliche, the character's intensity is cool and fun to behold.
