They are Stormwatch, a dangerous super human police force whose existence is kept secret from the world. Directly following the ominous events of ‘Superman’ #1, Adam One leads half the Stormwatch team to recover the giant horn from deep in the Himalayas. Meanwhile, rest of the Stormwatch crew look to recruit two of the deadliest super humans on the planet: Midnighter and Apollo.
Of all of the books I read this week Stromwatch #1 has to be the one I knew the least about going in, but was the most intrigued to learn about. I’ve always enjoyed Martian Manhunter and Black Adam… er Adam One. Also, the idea of a secret Sci-Fi superhero team is just too geeky to pass up.
The first thing you notice about Stormwatch is how great Miguel Sepulveda and Allen Passalaqua’s art tells a story on it’s own. Paul Cornell, really leverages the artwork and spins an engaging and mysterious tale about this team of heroes, all of whom belong to a secret protection organization set up to protect the Earth.
The mystery of the team actually takes a bit of a back seat in this first issue when we are introduced to the mystery of the giant horn and the mystery of why the hell the Moon is growing a claw and coming to life. While I may only be knowledgable about Martian Manhunter, I’m totally intrigued in finding out more about this group, especially the Midnighter.
I don’t know what to expect from Stormwatch going forward, but I do want to see where it goes. This first issue is 80% set up and 20% action, but I can see that action percentage going way up. While the set up is necessary, I do think it is a little mean to tie important events that happen just before the start of the book into Superman #1, which won’t hit comic book shops until Sept 28th.
Some of the coolest moments in this book are told with the limited use of dialogue, like when Manhunter basically turns into the Martian version of an Arrakis Sandworm or when the Midnighter drops Manhunter with one punch. The coolest bit of art though has to be the reveal of the giant horn Adam One is tracking down in the Himalayas.
If you like science fiction (and I’m assuming you do since you are reading this on ScienceFiction.com), superheroes and a good old fashioned mystery as to what the heck is going on… Stormwatch is the book for you. If you don’t like any of that stuff, then still check it out, because I think the real power behind this book will be the story and of course the great artwork.
If that hasn’t sold you enough, the next issue is called “The Last Survivor of the Big Bang”. Now who doesn’t want to see who or what survived the big bang. So don’t miss out on this cool new book, and don’t forget to pick up ‘Superman’ #1 later this month to see what the heck is going on in the beginning of the book and why the Moon is all of a sudden sprouting a claw.
Stormwatch #1
Writer: Paul Cornell
Artist: Miguel Sepulveda
Colorist: Allen Passalaaqua
Cover: Miguel Sepulveda & Nathan Erving
