Project Superpowers: Blackcross #1

by RobertJCross on March 04, 2015

Written By: Warren Ellis
Art by: Colton Worley

I'm still in the process of processing what i just read and trying to get over my peeve that it ended so abruptly. You can't fault a comic for being good enough to piss me off for ending so quickly, that speaks volumes to how well-crafted the whole thing is. This issue started mysteriously and ended mysteriously. I have to say that I did enjoy it a lot more than I initially thought I would going it. You learn a lot within the meat of the issue. There's a guy in witness protection because of his mafia ties and there's a woman who may or may not be a whore. Then, the real treat is that there is a serial killer on the loose and his calling card actually made me nod my head in approval. Pretty solid stuff so far.

Especially the writing. In the first few line of dialogue we're introduced to some police officers with what I thought were VERY cliche names, but Ellis only introduces them, nothing else is really important about who they are until they reappear near the end of the issue. The dialogue is pretty slick though, smooth like velvet as you read it. I enjoyed the banter between the witness protection officer and the protected witness. It felt very natural. The stuff between the whore and her "live in boyfriend" was good too, but here better dialogue comes into the mix a few pages later. There really is no "plot" yet, but I like what I'm reading so far.

Worley is probably one of the most talented artists I've had the pleasure of checking out this year. His art reminds me a lot of Jae Lee's art from when I read Before Watchmen: Ozymandias. It's like if Jim Lee and the artist from Scary Stories To Tell In The Dark had a baby. Things drip and ooze off of the drawings, but the movement is natural and the art is impressive. I think this art style should be utilized more in comics today, it's very Lovecraftian. Dark and menacing, but also comfortable and clean. I just love it.

Great first issue. Want more, want it now! Pick this bad boy up.

Our Score:

9/10

A Look Inside