Impact Comics – July, 1991 – $1.00 – 22pgs. – Color
Writer: Mark Waid – Artist: Tom Lyle – Cover: Tom Lyle
“First Flight”
Synopsis:
Rob Connors, a college student from Evergreen, Washington, just wanted to play baseball. However, his life changed during a strange occurrence at his parents Alaskan research outpost. Finding the facility abandoned and seemingly long-empty, Rob tries to radio for help. When he realizes that the antenna is malfunctioning, he attempts to climb the radio tower to attempt a repair. However, in the few short hours since he had left that morning, the tower suffered what appeared to be long-term weather corrosion. Finding himself trapped under a wrecked antenna, Rob’s desperation manifests in the form of super powers. Flying away from the wreckage, he learns that he also has the ability to shoot heat beams from his hands. Rob works with his girlfriend Victoria to develop his superhero identity and costume, establishing himself as a vigilante crime fighter. Coincidentally, a new criminal threat has emerged. Thought by many to be a myth, the murderer Applejack has already struck several times and is targeting Victoria next!
Review:
For a comic put out in 1991, The Comet seems too average and a bit too old-fashioned. The simple origin story seems like a throwback to the classics, but I don’t think it hits the mark. The flamboyant pink trails and the Comet’s costume choices don’t help either, but I won’t go there. Wherever the story seems like it might be getting interesting, the plot jerks away without going into any particular detail, like a child in need of Ritalin. If only there were more time spent lingering on such topics as what happened to Rob’s parents, or why it seems like so much time passed in only a few hours, The Comet would be a much more interesting book. Instead, the plot is merely average and lacking in any uniqueness or substance. Applejack, with his dreadlocks, notes written in blood on human skin (!), and ability to strike fear in anyone within his range, is definitely an interesting villain, which I must give the comic proper credit for. Overall, I think that The Comet is a decent, not great comic, whose hero doesn’t try to break the mold.
Scores:
Art: 7.5 – Applejack is bad-ass, everything else is average, and The Comet is… just pink and blue
Story: 5.0 – Seriously lacking in detail, even if things are meant to be answered later. Some witty dialog.
Applejack is creepy, in an awesome way…
