The 99 #1

November 2, 2007

The 99 #1 (Teshkeel Comics)
By Naif Al-Mutawa, Fabian Nicieza, John McCrea, Stuart Moore, Steve Yeowell

After a few free specials to set the stage, the real “first issue” of Teshkeel Comics’ new book The 99 is on the stands. The story sort of jumps in sometime after the first several people have activated the powers of their Noor Stones and been recruited by Dr. Ramzi Razem in his quest to use the power of the stones to usher in a new age for mankind. The story itself — about Razem and the Noor “bearers” coming in to New York and encountering another of their kind — is fine, but really rather suited for a second or third issue rather than a first one. The issue somewhat presupposes the reader will have read the free specials, which no doubt many have, but this still could have been stronger as a jumping-on point. Al-Mutawa and Nicieza definitely get points from me for avoiding a big cliche of this type of comic that I thought for certain they were heading straight for (specifically what do you when you encounter a child with super-powers). This isn’t a bad first issue, but if you haven’t read the free prologue issues, it would behoove you to track down at least one of them, as they’re all decent starting points.
Rating: 7/10

Welcome to Tranquility #3

February 7, 2007

Welcome to Tranqulity #3 (DC/Wildstorm)
By Gail Simone & Neil Googe

It’s funny, isn’t it, that the best book to come out of the Wildstorm relaunch is the one that didn’t have any previous (direct) ties to the Wildstorm Universe. Tommy’s investigation into the murder of Mr. Articulate leads her to the speedster named Ajita, one of the former “Tranquili-Teens” who has grown up, gone goth and formed the “Liberty Snots.” Each step in the investigation seems to turn up more and more secrets about this supposedly peaceful little town, and the snowball nature of the mystery makes this a book I’ve grown intensely fond of reading in just three issues. Neil Googe, late of the sadly-cancelled Majestic, really delivers on this series, with dark images like the graveyard keeper juxtaposed right next to more whimsical images, such as an aging speedster running with a cane. This book has plenty of humor, plenty of mystery and something to love on every page. Currently, this is hands-down Wildstorm’s best.

Rating: 9/10

(2010 Note: I decided to feature this old review today to celebrate the return of this series with the new Welcome to Tranquility: One Foot in the Grave miniseries. If you didn’t read this title the first time around, fix that!)