Previously…
Last time, I decided to review a supernatural romance comic that was completely out of my wheelhouse and to my surprise I didn’t hate it. Today I’m getting back to my superhero roots with Vigilance published by Freestyle Comics and Short Fuse Media, the tale of a strange visitor who is taken in by one of Earth’s premier heroes and made into its next champion. But first…
Situation
Our story begins with an explosion. A crater on U.S. soil that alerts the U.S. military and their champion Justice. In the crater, he finds a humanoid woman who we will later be known as the eponymous Vigilance. She is taken in by the military and Justice as she learns the language and acclimates to the planet. We then get a montage of her showing us what she can do, no-selling bullets, flying at Mach 4, surviving a large explosion and lifting an aircraft carrier to name a few showings. Next, we come to Senator Chet Stout, who much like Senator Finch in Batman vs Superman, doesn’t trust the alien immigrant. He clearly shows what side he’s on when he threatens a reporter’s life after she questions his distrust of Vigilance, go figure. Finally, an invasion from the stars touches down in a major American city and our heroine send’s the vanguard flying with an uppercut that would make Popeye proud. She is then confronted by the queen of the alien armada who seems to be more powerful than she appears.
Story
Writer Micah Cox crafts a simple and familiar tale, which is not a bad thing in this case. We’re not seeing any reinventing of the wheel here. I know that some people may have an issue with the whole Superman analog, but I enjoyed this. Sometimes you just want to read a straight forward superhero story, no hidden messages, no mixed genre’s just a straight-up story of heroism and Vigilance does that well. We get a sampling of what Vigilance can do and what she’s looking for out of life before she gets a real threat. The need for purpose is prevalent in this book and it leads to some interesting questions, but most importantly, why did Vigilance come to earth? I have a feeling we’re going to find out in the next few issues and I’m sure it will be an interesting read.
Pictures
Valdeci Nogueira and Veronica Smith do a good job of breathing life into this story. The character designs are fairly good and the costume designs are even better. Nogueira does a great job of drawing up an iconic suit for Vigilance while Smith’s use of simple color patterns creates a subtle yet iconic color scheme. I also dig the harness attached to Vigilances cape it gives a more para-military feel to her character and gives us an idea of her suit’s origins. The design of Queen Ma’al, while somewhat sensual is also formidable, here we have this alien queen in a skin-tight bodysuit, exposing her cleavage to the world and I can’t help but think that this fight is probably gonna level the city and personally I want it to.
Real
I enjoyed this comic, after having read varying types over the past month its nice to get back to my bread and butter and see that old fashion superhero comics aren’t dead. I’m definitely looking forward to more.
PURCHASE
As always if you enjoyed the review please take the time to support! You can purchase both physical and digital issues here!
This review was written by Ra'Chaun Rogers on behalf of Concept Moon Studios. If you enjoy his comic reviews click here or more!
Honestly, I wasn't feeling the more "traditional" plot, but that comment about "sometimes you just want to read a straight forward superhero story" has significant merit. After all, stories like this have their places too when you understand what they are trying to say.