CYBERFORCE #1 30TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION
IMAGE COMICS/Top Cow Productions
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Eric Silvestri
ART: Marc Silvestri
COLORS: Joe Chiodo
LETTERS: Mike Heisler
EDITOR: Cynthia Sullivan
COVER: Marc Silvestri and Scott Williams with Joe Chiodo
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Priscilla Petraites; Brett Booth
46pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (June 2022)
Rated T+/Teen Plus
Cyberforce created by Marc Silvestri
“The Tin Men of War” Part One
Cyberforce was one of Image Comics debut titles, and it was created by one of Image Comic' founding members, Marc Silvestri. Cyberforce #1 (cover dated: October 1992) was the first issue of a four-issue miniseries. It introduced a team of mutants who had their mutant abilities enhanced with cybernetic implants as the result of experimentation. Volume 2 of Cyberforce ran for 35 issues from 1994 to 1997. Since then, Cyberforce has returned in 2006, 2012, 2015 and 2018.
Image Comics has published a commemorative edition of that first Cyberforce #1 from 1992. Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition reprints the story contents of Cyberforce #1 and also includes an illustrated sixteen page section focusing on the early history of Image Comics. Cyberforce #1 is written by Eric Silvestri; drawn by Marc Silvestri; colored by Joe Chiodo; and lettered by Mike Heisler.
Cyberforce #1 opens in New York City – the inner city. Velocity, a young woman who is a mutant, is on the run. It seems that she is being hunted by “C.O.P.S.” (Cybernetic Operatives for Protection and Security), and their leader, Ballistic, a female cybernetic operative. These operatives are in the service of Cyberdata, a monolithic multinational conglomerate which creates cybernetically enhanced resistance fighters.
Luckily for Velocity, there is a team made up of such fighters who escaped from Cyberdata. They are Ripclaw, Heatwave, Stryker, Cyblade, and Impact. They are known as “Cyberforce,” and they may be Velocity's only hope to avoid the clutches of Cyberdata.
THE LOWDOWN: Initially, Cyberforce was not my favorite Image Comics superhero title. That was Jim Lee's WildC.A.T.s, but over the years, I have come to really like Cyberforce. I think the original Cyberforce miniseries is the best early Image Comics' title and is also one of the best superhero comic books of the early 1990s.
Cyberforce is obviously inspired by Uncanny X-Men. Cyberforce creator, Marc Silvestri, was the lead artist on that title from 1987 to 1990. I think Cyberforce once had the potential to rival the X-Men, but in the end, average writing and mediocre Silvestri copycat artists, as well as middling spin-offs dragged this potential franchise down.
Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition is a celebration of a particular time, when the debut of Image Comics offered so much promise for creator-owned superhero comic books. Over time, Image Comics would gradually become a home for a wide variety of genres of creator-owned comic books, especially in the science fiction, fantasy, horror, and action genres. However, Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition remembers the beginnings of Image Comics, and for some of us, those beginnings will always be special.
Also, 1992's Cyberforce #1 is just a damn good first issue. Yes, writer Eric Silvestri seems to be squeezing a tad too much information into the first issue, but he makes this first issue and the world it introduces seem like the place to be. Marc Silvestri's art lacks the polish that it would usually get from the inks of Scott Williams. Still, his dynamic layouts and the steadiness of his drama make for engaging graphical storytelling.
Joe Chiodo's muted colors add a sense of realism to the story. Mike Heisler's letters catch the shifting tones and intensity of the narrative that sell the story. The result is a memorable first issue.
Sometimes, I dream that Cyberforce will be mine, and I will finally bring them to the heights they deserve. Well, while a fanboy is dreaming, older fans can celebrate with Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition and new readers can discover something they might like.
I READS YOU RECOMMENDS: Fans of Top Cow and of the early years of Image Comics will want to read Cyberforce #1 30th Anniversary Edition.
A
★★★★+ out of 4 stars
[The comic book includes 16-page section of back matter:
“30 Years of Cyberforce” by Lisa Wu looks back at the early days of Image Comics and Top Cow. It is comprised of a Q&A with Marc Silvestri, Scott Williams, David Wohl, and Brian Haberlin. It also includes examples of original art and color guides.
“Cyberforce Through the Years”: this is comprised of a cover gallery from various Cyberforce publications; character sketches by Marc Silvestri; art related to trading cards; storyboards for an unproduced Cyberforce animated television series; photos of toys; and miscellaneous images.]
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
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