Only when you reveal the truth do the truest heroes emerge.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Jeff Parker
Artwork: Steve Rude, Aaron Lopresti & Karl Kesel
Colorist: Steve Buccellato & Hi-Fi
Letterer: Dave Lanphear
What They Say:
When the adventurous and inquisitive Jonny Quest and his adoptive brother Hadji make a startling discovery in the swamplands of Florida, they are pulled into an epic struggle between the Space Rangers and a dangerous villain who threatens the galaxy.
Now it’s up to the combined forces of Team Quest, Inter-Nation Security, Space Ghost, and a host of Hanna-Barbera’s greatest action heroes to stop him and save their universe!
Content (please note that portions of a review may contain spoilers):
Ray Randall was once an explorer who was researching a cult that worshiped the sun god Ra, and now due to an unbelievable incident, he possesses the amazing powers of Birdman. But thanks to the intervention of Inter-Nation Security and his handler Falcon 7, he is now able to use those abilities to stop the evil organization called F.E.A.R. and their plans of ruling the planet; however, as he was searching for more information on how he received his powers, a new warning was called in for a mission, and the only details were to report to field operative Deva Sumadi. Ray and Deva did not know that this operation would soon lead them into an encounter which would change their understanding of who is in control of the world as they know it.
On the distant world of Amzot, the team known as the Herculoids are fighting for their survival against robots which were attacking Iggo. However, even as the heroic beasts were subduing the mechanical menaces, the two known as Zandor and Taara seemed to know far more about these monstrosities then even their son could understand. As they settled in for the night, his father decided that it was time for Dorno to learn of their history and how they came to call this planet home. For though they seemed native to this world, they actually came from its sister, a place called Quasar. And it was from this place which all of their troubles began, but in the end, it would be Amzot from which may be their final battlefield. The High Automator is now after the Herculoids and acknowledges that it is the adults which guide them to all of their victories; if they are able to destroy these humanoids, then the beasts would be easy to subdue. It is now time for the final operation to begin.
In Summary::
Even within this fledgling series, it is this issue which by far is my favorite, since it allows us to peer into the expansive world of the characters and backgrounds as they relate both to Future Quest and the original animation. This expositive tangent which writer Jeff Parker calls Vortex Tales opens the readers into what brought the cast into the current storyline and also how they relate to their own mythology; for this inaugural story, we are exposed to the opening mission of Birdman and how Taara and Zandor came to call Amzot their home. From the two tales, the Herculoids story is my personal choice since it so seamlessly fits into the history of the original show and allows us the insight of why they were always attacked by those robots in every episode. Although the rousing excitement of an epic battle between Birdman and Omnikron may open the book, it is the essential human story of how Dorno’s parents essentially helped to bring about the downfall of their planet which actually moves us on a more primal level. Hopefully, now that Parker has released these side stories, we will also be able to see more backgrounds for the other characters within the series.
But of course, this series would be nothing if not for the thrilling depictions of the characters by the artistic skill contained within this issue, and this time we are in for double the fun with two different teams. Steve Rude’s signature crisp images with dramatically dark inks bring Birdman to life and Steve Buccellato’s colors only help to enhance the psychedelic chic of the Omnikron’s invasion force with the undulating mass which makes its appear to be a lava lamp gone wild. Everything within this story harkens back to the 60’s feel: the square jaw and muscular physique of Birdman, overly effective sound effects from shows like Batman, Falcon 7’s dapper suit and pipe, Deva’s hip hugging catsuit and futuristic ray gun and even the henchmen’s full body costume accented by the thin moustache and goatee, all of them combine to communicate that secret agent mystique from shows like Mission Impossible or The Man from U.N.C.L.E. And yet it all fits together to bring a serious campiness which is that era, with just the right amount of coolness to make one appreciate this predecessor to political thrillers and spy dramas.
However in the Herculoids’ tale, we are treated to energetically dynamic illustrations thanks to Aaron Lopresti and Karl Kesel’s inks, all accented and propelled forward by Hi-Fi’s beautiful organic color scheme. Everything within the story is primitive and almost crude, reflecting the raw power of the heroes, being able to surge through anything that might be in their way, but at the same time, they will go to any lengths to protect each other. It is amazing to see these former scientists fighting with their beasts in rejection to what they once knew, smashing their past with nothing more than stone spears and sticks. And yet once they begin to recall their past lives, you can see a noble visage pass over what was once a savage, almost needing to hold back that anger to calm themselves for the clarity. And as Zandor remembers, his eyes seem to sadden, knowing that they were the ones who brought Quasar’s downfall. A scholar and a barbarian all contained with the same package, surrounded by the harsh wilderness of Amzot, nothing more is needed to show that they chose to stay here and defend their new home with naught but primeval strength and a crude shield. Determination is etched into their faces as they battle what would seem impossible odds, and yet they persevere – a fantastic development for the narrative.
This issue of Future Quest is a prime example of what I hope this series is gearing towards, a faithful tribute to the original series and yet allowing it to evolve into something that still stays true to the source. While we may stray from the current story, this side trip helps to marvelously flesh out the characters into people who we wish know as we journey into their world. If the cast is boring then so will be the tale, but this series is becoming one which I hope will hold our interest for many more issues to come.
Grade: A+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: DC Comics
Release Date: July 27th, 2015
MSRP: $3.99
