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THUNDERBOLTS #62
"What Would The Mirror Say?
Recommended (8/10)
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Marvel Comics
Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Pencils: Patrick Zircher
Inks: Al Vey
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Tom Brevoort
Price: $2.25 US/$3.65 CAN |
This story really shouldn't work for me. I don't much care for the Heroes Reborn world, and even the characters themselves are reminding us that in many ways, it isn't real, it doesn't matter. And yet, the themes of the book, the struggle over selfishness and the desire to do the right thing, are playing out as clearly and strongly as ever in this story. The bodies and costumes may have changed, but the story is still the same, and remarkably, it's still as interesting as ever. With Zircher turning in artwork that gets better and better each month, and a bi-weekly schedule set to start in the summer, Thunderbolts could be ready for another major upswing.
Like many of Marvel's "on the bubble" titles, Thunderbolts is often accused of
being reader-unfriendly, not accessible due to a convoluted set of backstory and
characters. There's a reasonable belief there, as these characters have been
around for sixty-two issues, during which time many of them have seemingly died,
others have changed in radical ways (physically and mentally) and most of them
have what can charitably be referred to as a large backstory. However, while
newer readers may not connect with all of the ongoing subplots and character
reveals at first, I would think that anyone could enjoy the basic struggle of
this book, which is a more morally gray and unusual focus than most super-hero
books have. Despite a long history and several instances of helping out, many of
these characters are still villains at heart, and most of them are only a couple
of bad decisions away from it.
In most super-hero books, the conflicts are about whether or not the protagonists can save the world. In Thunderbolts, the conflicts are about whether or not the protagonists can save themselves. Sure, the team does spare Counter-Earth from some nasty global villainy this issue, but the real victory is for their own morals and their own consciences. In addition, since the team doesn't all agree on what's right, the inter-team conflict is always present, reminiscent of the classic 80s team books like New Teen Titans or the X-Men.
Meanwhile, Patrick Zircher,
who has always done a terrific job as a fill-in penciller, seems to be settling
nicely into the role of regular penciller. The detail in his work is getting
stronger with each issue, and I was amazed at the beautiful work done this issue
on the various Thunderbolts in their civilian identities. Though there is no
lack of pyrotechnics, flashy technology or powers, the most impressive aspect of
this issue for me was the emotion and conflict on the faces of the characters in
their most human guises.
Thunderbolts is, without a doubt, one of the few old school style books Marvel has going. It doesn't have the weirdness of Morrison's New X-Men, the pop-culture savvy of Milligan and Allred's X-Force or the over-the-top attitude of the
Ultimate books. However, what it does have is solid characterization, intriguing
plotting and terrific artwork... and that ain't bad.
Email Randy Lander comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board. |
