Comic Book Review: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #4

Written By: Nick Spencer

Penciller: Cafu

Inker: Bit

Colorist: Santiago Arcas

Cover Artist: Ethan Van Sciver, Scott Hanna, & Hi-Fi

Letterer: Swands

Editor: Wil Moss

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents is only four issues into its run and already it’s blowing me away.  There’s a certain amount of that silver age mentality that flushes though this series which is probably why I like it so much, but there’s more to it than just that.  The mystery around Spider and why these missions are important has plagued my brain ever since T.H.U.N.D.E.R. began.  Each issue has focused on the individual members of the team and their story but nothing new has been revealed to help explain why.  This, I’m sure, frustrates many readers nation-wide, but not me.  I’ve been completely engrossed with this run’s premise and the uncertainty of everything it’s brought to the table…and #4 keeps the mystery pumping with even bigger and broader questions with no answer in sight.  Hence the life of Sociologists.

Driven by the events of the past, Spider has attempted alterations in their designs and programing to help keep their prospect agents alive for as long as possible.  I think this throws out the whole “dead in twelve months” concept allowing Spencer a lot more time to get this series on its feet and find new ways of keeping these characters around for a while.  (You know it’s going to happen.) A “rough n’ tough” blondy by the name of Eric is approached by Toby and Coleen about becoming the new Dynamo, which follows a series of flashbacks and character development scenes to help establish what kind of person Eric is and how he might be used in the series.  More or less, this is what #4 is about. Sound boring you say?  Well, methinks you jumpeth the guneth.

Nick Spencer doesn’t provide a lot of new material in this issue.  In fact, I would say there’s a lot of recapping going on about what these powers do to the agents over a period of time.  Spencer goes into a little more detail about the advancements made in their technology and whatnot, but it’s nothing we haven’t already figured out.  The quality of this issue, however, doesn’t lie with the already established plot, but rather the dialog that happens between characters.

I think it’s clear that Toby has been a mystery for most readers.  What’s his purpose besides being a pansy little salesman? I’ve wondered this since issue #1, and now finally something is revealed that makes me wonder what the future holds for T.H.U.N.D.E.R. in the 21^st century. The interaction he has with Eric and Coleen spit out some much needed clues about his intentions and what he can provide in the story.  The ending took me by complete surprise, which makes me wonder if Toby is a bad guy or a good guy and if these missions have been true, life threatening missions, or mere training exercises to prepare them for the real thing.  Either way, Toby has definitely been put into a much bigger spotlight within the series which could prove interesting.

As most of you know, artist toggling is not a favorable aspect for me when it comes to comics.  However, the way it was handled here I can accept…even if I don’t really like it.  To help establish a trip down memory lane, different artists were called upon to recreate the world of comics from when I was still a baby.  George Perez does a fantastic job with presenting the older style (of which he is quite familiar with) and brings it into this issue successfully.  The transition into the more modern artistic realm of #4, executed quit well by Cafu (the artists formerly known as who?) and presents a great display of visuals as can be expected.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

I actually don’t know what the general consensus is among fellow bloggers and readers about this series thus far.  I do know that I am a HUGE fan and recommend this run to everyone.  We’re only four issues in so it’s not too late to start from #1 and work your way up to now.  If you aren’t a huge fan of dialog heavy comics, you might have trouble muscling it down, but I would recommend giving it a chance.

9 out of 10 Stars

Comic Book Review: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #2

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: Nick Spencer

Penciller: CAFU

Inker: Bit

Colorist: Santiago Arcas

Letterer: Swands

Cover Art: Gary Frank & Anderson, after Wally Wood

Editor: Wil Moss

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

I wasn’t able to find much history on the Tower Comic’s “T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents” first published in the 1960s.  So, the difficult part now is to know what original concepts are being used in this new run, and what has been changed.  Based on what I know of the classic comics from the early part of the Golden Age, the psychology of this latest run is, more than likely, new and fresh.

Five characters need to be introduced, and it looks as if introductions will take at least five issues long.  #2 gives us the back story of the new Lighting - Henry, an Olympic quality Kenyan runner whose life revolved around the sport, as it does with the entire African tribe of the Kalenjin.  But not even years of success and respect among he’s people can repel a failed drug test on three counts.  Denying the allegations, Henry must deal with his tribe shunning him, being striped of his Olympic medals and titles, and having troubles talking with his family.  Then enter the redemption squad!  T.H.U.N.D.E.R. offers him a chance to use his God given talent yet again, but for a “greater good.”  The only difference is, within a year, he’s knowingly going to die.

Nostalgic storylines always hit my soft spot, especially when those stories involve tragedy with an intelligent twist.  The first question I asked myself when I heard of this series was, “what exactly is killing the people enlisted to be a T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agent after a one year duration?”  Thankfully, that question was answered here in this issue.  Who knows what the original series was like, but I can make a very safe assumption that this plot device wasn’t part of the first T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents. 

It’s an interesting way to make sense of the whole thing, that using the powers provided by the super-powered suits don’t kill them because of the strain it puts on the body, but on the mind.  But even more interesting is how the suit allows Henry to run faster than he ever had before.  You’d think he would love that, given how much he loves running and how much it defined him.  Now the tables have turned, and all running does to Henry is bring back painful memories…or at least painful images.  Whether or not they’re real images has yet to be determined as the memories seemed to toggle around and change.

From an artistic standpoint, we are presented with an interesting take on Henry’s flashback and present day story.  Three artists, with exceptionally weird names, Cafu, Bit, and Crisscross (whose names their kids this?) tag team in and out of the storyline.  Cafu takes charge of the “main sequence” while Crisscross initiates that “Lightning sequence.”  However, whether it’s Cafu or Crisscross working the art, the artistry of this issue is undeniably true.  The way the rays of light hit Henry while running and the dark tone during Henry’s flashback were fantastic displays of color and sketch mastery.  

A minor gripe – what was the cover supposed to represent?  This was a story about Lightning right?  What’s the hooded skull have to do with the story?  It’s a fantastic cover, don’t get me wrong.  Gary Frank is one of the better artists with DC and everything he does is top notch work, but it doesn’t truly connect with the story within #2.  But these are only minor complaints that don’t really detract from the book itself.

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

I’m going to tell you right now, this is going to make my list for the top ten comics of 2010.  It’s a exceptional story that rates along with the writing of Gail Simone and Geoff Johns.  Honestly, if you aren’t picking up this series, please do, it will knock your socks off.

Rating: 10 our of 10

+ 1 Incentive Point

Writing: 10

Art: 10

Themes: 10

Comic Book Review: T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1

Literary & Artistic Credits

Writer: Nick Spencer

Penciller: CAFU, Bit

Colorist: Santiago Arcas

Letterer: Steve Wands

Cover Art: Frank Quietly

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

T.H.U.N.D.E.R Agents, a comic book title that had its beginnings before my time, and had a very short lived run indeed.  Which is understandable since the superheroes will eventually die as a result of having super powers.  (Say what?!?)  The government has developed a special operations team called T.H.U.N.D.E.R., specifically designed to combat terrorist threats of supernatural proportions.  (Or at least they WILL) Individuals are asked to risk their life for their country by being scientifically given powers that will kill them in, or around, one year.  How can you build a monthly title off of this you ask?  That’s certainly what I would like to know.

But even with this premise, I was still very excited to pick up this first issue as it was another silver age revival by DC.  Its fun to get to know the comic’s era my mother grew apart of.  I opened up the book, finished it, and thought to myself,

“man, I think I’m reading the Secret Six.” 

And then it hit me, bad guys are being hired to take on the evil hire ups as a way of forgiving their criminal past.  This seems to becoming a common thread with DC!  That WOULD worry me except there’s one minor difference…the powers kill the heroes.  Where’s the selling point?  Why would a prisoner want to take on the role of a government super soldier when the pay off is death?  I guess there lies the intrigued for me, the fact that they actually do have people willing to take part in a pre-ordained death sentence in order to save lives.  Writer Nick Spencer will have a very challenging task ahead of him in the months to come.

This first issue doesn’t lay out the basics right away.  Only towards the middle of the issue are we given a hint of what’s to come.  Our main characters don’t really make their appearance until the last few pages.  Spencer provides a good deal of set up in order to go right into next month’s issue.  There’s still a lot of excitement, but the mystery pans through the bulk of the issue.  And for people like me, who have no idea what the T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents is all about, it’s a very refreshing read that gives off an incredible amount of anticipation for what will happen to the team, and the future of this run.

CAFU and Bit (I keep seeing these names pop up.  Who the heck names their kids CAFU, in all caps, and Bit?)  take the artistic duties and really deliver.  I’ve had trouble getting into both artists’ styles, but this issue was nothing less than fun and enjoyable to gander at.  But the best visual piece of candy that comes with this comic is Frank Quietly’s cover.  But we can always count on Frank to give us quality right?

My Majestically Climactic Conclusion

This first issue isn’t a typical first issue that wants to hook readers right away.  Rather, it compels anyone picking up this book to come along for the ride and begs for patience as the title goes through the motions of an unorthodox way of telling an old comic book story.  Give it time guys, you might enjoy your investment.

Rating: 9.33 out of 10

Writing: 9

Art: 10

Themes: 9