A lot of the time, you just can't compete with DC or Marvel when it comes to superheroes. They've got the big names, the 40+ years of association, and some stories you just can't tell with "Arachnid-Lad" or Supreme. However, some stories work better when they're using original heroes and are bound more to the genre ideas than to the continuity, and Image has of late been doing a lot of books along these lines. Hero Camp wouldn't work as well at Marvel or DC. Neither would Invincible. And neither would Grounded, which has a great first issue about childhood love of superheroes and a realization later in life that superheroes are more human, and more real, than our protagonist ever realized. Without all the baggage that comes with DC and Marvel superheroes specifically, but carrying the weight that they have generally, Grounded is a strong, character-driven first issue with a unique (and beautiful) look to it.
There's an interesting tone at work in the first issue of Grounded. In some ways, Sable is poking fun at the superhero concept, as with the very amusing sequences of Jonathan trying to give himself super powers in a few familiar ways or the more ridiculous aspects of a boy who really, truly believes himself to be a superhero. However, there's a sincerity to Jonathan's belief in the superhero, and a certain nobility in his confidence in himself to be able to wear the costume or attempt to prove that he can fly, that is almost inspiring. While there are some superhero sequences in this book, the focus in the first issue of Grounded is on the real way that kids treat others who are different, whether it's playground age or high school age, and Sable does a really good job of conveying what it's like to be an outcast. Like many comics readers, I can identity with Jonathan, although his level of superhero devotion is far beyond what most of us ever got to.
But then again, Jonathan has a reason to be more devoted to the notion of superheroes, as it turns out. The big reveal later on in the book is one that I hadn't seen coming, even though it was hinted at in the solicitation copy. It's actually a pretty nice bit of pacing, because while it does set up issue two as being something completely different, it doesn't undercut all the setup that took place in this issue. Instead, this issue is more about psychological background and foundation, hitting the thematic elements of what the book is going to be about, while the plot is just starting to reveal itself. Grounded #1 offers up the more relaxed pace of a lot of modern comics, without the pitfalls of nothing happening that often befall creators using that pacing.
I've talked a lot about Sable's writing on Grounded, but it was the art by Paul Azaceta that first made me sit up and take notice of the book in the first place. Azaceta's work here is fantastic, reminiscent of everyone from Paul Lee to Stuart Immonen to Cully Hamner, and the unusual color palette by Nick Filardi is also worth being singled out and praised. Basically, while the style looks familiar, the overall look of the comic is unique, and perfectly suited to this book. Like Immonen's work on Superman: Secret Identity, it captures the everyday feeling of reality and thus makes a perfect counterpoint to the superheroic elements when they do occur. Azaceta also hits some really great emotional beats, such as the after-effects of Jonathan's leap from the roof or the echoing laughter as he walks down the halls of his new high school.
Grounded is the kind of thing I hope to find when I crack the first issue of a brand new series. It's got exceptional characterization and beautiful artwork, and a premise worth exploring. This is a book that comes out of the gate strong, and I'm very interested to see where it goes from here.
