Review: Alpha Flight #1
Alpha Flight's kicked off yet again, with its premiere issue as a Fear Itself tie-in. I've mostly enjoyed my new approach to this summer's blockbusters, catching up with the going-ons in the periphery without needing to know who's dead or responsible for the mayhem in the larger soap opera. On its own, the writing lags under the sheer weight of the team, as the narrative tries and technically succeeds in splitting up page-space among its eight characters. But I'd bought the title primarily to see how Northstar was handled. With the Fear Itself banner hampering my expectations, I'm glad to say that this 8 issue mini is off to a strong start, dedicated fairly to Northstar and his compatriots.
Though the Atlantean villain Attuma is an emissary of Fear Itself's Serpent, his involvement in the action is that of your average all-powerful enemy, turning the focus of the narrative to the team's tactics in time of crisis. Alpha Flight is very much a team book, taking the time to drop all its characters' names (One wonders why you'd interrupt the dialog with conspicuous, unnatural name declarations when it's already been taken care of by the mission statement page...) But after all their flashy intros, two characters are notably absent; Puck, whose noninvolvement likely stems from a editor's decree, and our beacon Northstar, whose characteristic arrogance in this issue turns him into a conscientious objector. With some coaxing from his beau, Jean-Paul joins the fray in time to provide some analytical assistance. For what it's worth, I enjoyed Van Lente's portrayal of Northstar as the dickish know-it-all, confident yet caring in his domain. The pencilwork accentuates his sharp elfin features and make for a convincingly charming depiction. His lover Kyle doesn't get much facetime beyond the "We're boyfriends" establishing shot, but the drama promises to makes him a kind of damsel in distress. Only further issues will tell how this situation is handled.
In the end, Alpha Flight is a fairly standard team superheroics title, made engrossing by its attention to its characters. As the cliffhanger ends the issue, the story openly tells you of its awareness of the tropes that govern it, and suggests that this team can offer up a unique twist. This is your assurance that Northstar is in capable hands, that his relationship is visible and challenging to the Marvel Universe.
Rubber Justice
Posted to Review on 17 June 2011
· Comments (8)
Other stuff like this: Alpha Flight, Fear Itself, marvel comics, northstar, review
Hi. I agree with you, Northstar was portrayed as he should be.
Just wanted to point out that Puck wasn't in this because -spoiler- he hasn't been resurrected because of his involvment in Hell in the last Wolverine arc, Wolverine goes to Hell. It was a good read.
Another thumbs up for the handling of Northstar. I like the touch of Kyle expecting more of Northstar than yon speedster expects of himself.
Oh, if you're still curious about Puck, the previews for Alpha Flight #2 are worth a look.
Hiyo, first : Great review! ^_^
Second (and entirely off topic)- I kinda noticed that you're doing a bit more of the marvel reviews, so i was wondering if you knew what the whole "Schisim" thing was. I've seen the three "prelude to" tittles, and read about the evolutionary thing..but i'm confused about if that's what they're refering to with the whole "prelude" thing since they're kinda running concurrently.... hope that made sense...
thanks
Were the hell is Centennial and Yukon Jack :P
LOL !
Oh, nevermind I figured it out..lol (About the whole "Shcism" thing. Anywasy, isn't Puck working for X-Factor Investigations?
You confusing Puck with Pip the Troll (one of the olde Guardians of the Infinity Gems).
Ohhh.. O_O
I knew the character was short and had a P in his name, and had been deceased.. lol my bad...
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