Leaving Megapolis: Surviving Megalopolis #1
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: J Calafiore
Surviving Megalopolis #1 continues the story from the Kickstarter Graphic Novel Leaving Megapolis. Megalopolis was the safest city anywhere. A host of superheroes guarded the city: Overload, the Man of Granite, Red Flame, Fleet, Southern Belle. Until something evil burst through the ground, envolping the city in a sulfuric cloud and turning the city’s caped heroes into homicidal maniacs. The city was quarantined – shut off from the outside world – but one group of survivors escaped. Now, the group that left Megalopolis is going back in.
Fan-favorite creators Gail Simone and J. Calafiore return to the town whose citizens are hunted—not by villains, but by heroes! The survivors of Megalopolis reluctantly go back to the city—still under the control of formerly beloved superheroes turned brutal killers—on a rescue mission straight into the heart of madness. When you escape from a city full of superheroes turned evil, what could possibly compel you to go back?
Surviving Megalopolis is a story that makes people wonder from time to time. What happens when the all heroes of the city go bad, then who will save us? Sometimes you have to put on a mask and be the hero yourself. Keep in mind that this is a mature read. In nearly every panel of this issue has F-bombs dropped on the already war-torn city. The Main characters from the previous story Mina and Harold Lamb. Harold is approached by a private agent who needs his help getting thru the city. Mia is still in Megalopolis and takes on a new identity to hunt down these heroes turned villains.
The series looks like it will be a blast. Calafiore’s art is gritty and dark throughout the issue. In our scenes away from the city, the colors are lighter and focus on pastels to not make it seem so Gloomy. While our scenes in the city have lots plenty of dark overtones to set the mood that this is not a happy place. Plenty of detail to the buildings, landscape, and destruction is further proof that stories like this one, don’t always end in a happy ending.
Verdict 8.5/10
Alabaster: The Good, The Bad, and The Bird #2
Writer: Caitlin R Kiernan
Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Our deadly, psychotic, bloodthirsty hero is dead. Who will save us now?
After the passing of her friend and lover Dancy, Maisie is forced to con a meager living from the bereaved, even as she still feels the pain of her own loss. But the twisted Asquith twins seem to have dark plans surrounding Dancy.
Maisie makes a meager living conning the bereaved, even as she still mourns the loss of her friend and lover Dancy. But a pair of twisted bounty-hunting twins are planning to enact a mysterious occult ritual, and Maisie may soon find herself confronting a ghost from her own past.
This issue slows down a bit from the first issue. We get a lot of time between Maisie and the bird. Yes, a bird! Throughout the story. I feel like their relationship is almost like Loki’s (Teenager) with his companion magpie (which housed adult Loki. Which died during Siege) They a decent amount of time conversing in the background of a funeral. After the services, she passes her card to the mourning widow to help her anytime that she needs it.
The twins are just twisted. Not to give in much detail, but it is graphic and not for younger prying eyes. Their language is pretty naughty as well. We have some great character moments when Maisie goes to visit the old lady at her estate and ends up having a summoning ceremony with an unexpected turn of events.
Verdict 7.5/10
Mirror’s Edge: Exordium #4
Writer: Christopher Emgard
Artist: Daniele Di Nicuolo
With KrugerSec hot on their heels, Celeste leads Faith deep into the no man’s land of the Rezoning district. There, Faith is introduced to Celeste’s kid sister Avani, who is bedridden with melanoma cancer – the very same cancer for which Faith was supposed to steal a cure. As it turns out, Celeste has the vaccine. Leaving Rezoning behind, Faith finds herself caught in a difficult dilemma. Does she break the runner’s code and steal back the vaccine , effectively ostracized herself from the runner community? Or does she break her promise to Dogen? The latter might mean that he’ll hve her legs broken, and she’ll definitely never see her mother’s drawing again. Faith must choose. Soon.
As a rebellious runner, Faith stands apart from the dead-eyed employees of corporate Cascadia . . . but even she won’t violate the runners’ code and betray a new friend. Or will she? Loyalties hang in the balance in the fast-paced prequel to February’s anticipated game Mirror’s Edge Catalyst!
It’s funny how reading this issue makes me think of my thoughts on the video game. Almost a mix of first person, action and a female Spider-Man without all the powers. The art is fun with panels with Faith bounced from skyscraper to skyscraper, running up poles, and vaulting into buildings. Sorta like you do in the game. It’s an issue that doesn’t have as much dialogue. Maybe since the art is fun to look at.
The fight scenes are fun and were well choreographed. Even fighting out in the rain, almost makes one think of Neo fighting all those Agent Smiths in the rain. (in a movie now we try to forget happened) It’s always fun to see a solo female kick butt with grace!
Verdict 7.0/10
