Something is taking place just outside the reaches of earth. Every super powered human that can go, does, leaving behind sidekicks and teenagers that just aren’t quite ready to take on the role of a full fledged super hero. It was the mentors, the teachers, the parents…and none of them came back. This bleak premise is just what is taking place in Landry Walker and Eric Jones’ Danger Club. Care to take a peek into this world where all the major heroes are gone, leaving behind everyone else? Stay close as we look inside Danger Club #1.
It all started 3 months ago. Some terrible force is threatening Earth, and it’s up to the champions of the world to go and stop the danger. The only thing is, they lose. They don’t come back. Several of the younger super powered heroes are left, and the story focuses on a few of these. Kid Vigilante (reminds me so much of a Dick Grayson Robin, but with a lot more of a bite), who is the leader of a ragtag group of young heroes. There is also Magician, Yoshimi and her Sentinel-like machine called Robot 9, and Fearless (a very young Nick Fury look-a-like). These few have joined forces to fight someone that used to be a friend of theirs: a younger version of Apollo, son of Zeus and god of the Sun. Apollo offers his protection to what’s left of the super powered youths in exchange for love and worship. Most have joined him, but those that are still unsure he has fight in a destroyed coliseum to see if they can still be a part of his New Olympians.
At first glance, what I’ve written may sound confusing, but let me tell you, this story read very, very well. Landry Q. Walker, the author of this amazing story, didn’t stagger at all. From page one to the last this story had me captivated. Though it feels as if we’re coming in at what could
have been the end of a major storyline, it all fits. Apollo must be stopped, and Danger Club will do it at all costs. The characters don’t feel like archetypes of any others, but feel very unique and original. Though at first glance they may look like Nightwing, Nick Fury, or anyone else you would attribute them to, it ends there. These characters are their own, and it’s not difficult to see that. What the major heroes went off to fight and why they lost is not revealed (yet), you’re not left with that question lingering as you read. The explanation that Walker gives is enough, but when the issue is over, you’re left craving more. I need more back story, I need to know why Apollo tried to rule, I need more! This is what makes great storytelling.
Eric Jones art is fantastic. With the words that Landry puts to paper, Eric takes those works and makes the story come alive. The action scenes are second to none here, and they are very, very intense. I could almost feel the pain Apollo caused to Kid Vigilante. When Fearless and Magician were taking on the New Olympians, I winced at each punch that landed. I wanted to scan so fast to get to the next panel, but I had to force myself to take it all in. I’m glad I did. It has a slightly animated feel to it, and you can see the influences from anime and manga here, but those aren’t overpowering. Moreover, those are subtleties that make it just all the more visually striking. Much attention was given to the detail that the plot needed, and Eric didn’t let down. Some of the best art I’ve seen for a comic in a while.
One thing I didn’t like was that it really felt like there should have been a few issues before this. We do come in right at the end of something, and though you don’t think about it while you’re reading, at the end, that is the only real problem that nags at me. What happened before? How did it get to this point? This story alone could have been a great mini-series to prepare for an ongoing series, and why they didn’t do it that way boggles me. That’s the only real issue I have with this.
This issue was like nothing I expected it to be. The cover alone gives you no details as to what’s inside the comic, and that is great, but could also be a downfall. People may pass it over simply by not knowing what it’s about at all. A shame too, because they’d be missing out on what I think is going to be a smash hit of the summer.
With amazing action, intense storytelling, and even mystical brass knuckles, Danger Club has what any comic fan is looking for. There are great characters here, and I’m interested to see who people claim as favorites. This has the potential to be a very rich story, and I just hope that Landry and Eric can deliver with this much intensity in issue 2. Put this on your pull list. You won’t be disappointed.
Art: 10/10
Script: 9/10
Parental concern: Moderate. Lots of violence and some grisly moments.
Danger Club will hit comic shelves on Wednesday, April 4th.
Very intriguing review. This wasn’t on my radar before, but I’ll keep an eye out for it now!
This comic blew me away. I was not expecting what it had to offer, and I’m adding this to my pull list. I loved it that much!
I like the sound of this book. I’m betting they would do well to at some point release a “prequel,” but I like the sound of where it starts. I’m sure this helps the reader care about the characters there are rather than the ones who aren’t any more. Tons of great potential with this book!! Great review Tim!
Thank you, Chip! I’m so starved to know what happened just a few hours before the events of this book, it’s killing me! I can’t wait for issue two.
