DC COMICS – @DCComics
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
STORY: Steve Orlando and Ryan Sook
PENCILS: Cary Nord
INKS: Mick Gray and Wade von Grawbadger
COLORS: FCO Plascencia
LETTERS: Carlos M. Mangual
EDITOR: Katie Kubert
COVER: Ryan Sook
32pp, Color, $2.99 U.S. (August 2018)
Rated “T” for Teen
The Unexpected created by Steve Orlando and Ryan Sook
Call of the Unknown: Part One – “Punch First”
DC Comics has launched a new superhero comic book initiative, “The New Age of DC Heroes,” coming out of its Dark Nights: Metal event miniseries. This line of comic books consists of eight new comic book series: The Curse of Brimstone, Damage, The Immortal Men, New Challengers, Sideways, The Silencer, The Terrifics, and the subject of this review, The Unexpected.
The Unexpected is the eighth and final release in “The New Age of DC Heroes.” The series is written by Steve Orlando and Ryan Sook; drawn by Cary Nord and Ryan Sook (pencils) and Mick Gray and Wade von Grawbadger (inks); colored by FCO Plascencia; and lettered by Carlos M. Mangual. The Unexpected focuses on a group of unlikely heroes who are called to action across the Multiverse in the wake of the events depicted in Dark Nights: Metal.
The Unexpected #1 (“Punch First”) introduces Janet Fals. She was a paramedic killed in the line of duty. Civil Solutions, “ a futurist arms developer,” revives Janet giving her a new heart – something called “the Conflict Engine.” Every 24 hours, she has to feed the Conflict Engine a fight or violence... or she dies. Janet Fals is now known as the super-powered entity, “Firebrand.”
In her new life, Firebrand uses the name “Ronan,” and works at a VA hospital. When a new and strange patient starts causing trouble, Ronan has to become Firebrand to deal with the Bad Samaritan, Neon the Unknown, Ascendant, and Viking Judge.
I don't know how much of this book is drawn by Ryan Sook and how much is drawn by Cary Nord. I do know that Mick Gray and Wade von Grawbadger are two of the best inkers working in American superhero comic books today. The result is that The Unexpected has the most beautiful art of any of “New Age” titles, which is quite a feat. Many of the initial art teams on the “New Age” books turned out some pretty art, and some of the secondary teams have also delivered attractive illustrating. Colorist FCO Plascencia and letterer Carlos M. Mangual complete what is a top-notch graphics and graphical storytelling team on The Unexpected.
Unfortunately, The Unexpected offers a terrible story and only a serviceable script. It offers the kind of pointless bombastic action that plagues event comic books that Marvel and DC Comics publish every time they and comic book retailers need a sales bump. Bombastic action over anemic character writing: hope that works for you if you want to like The Unexpected. I would be surprised if The Unexpected lasts 12 issues, which is a pity. This is one good-looking comic book.
3.5 out of 10
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2018 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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