Where ever there is opression … there will always be heroes to save the world.
Creative Staff:
Writer: Joe Brusha
Artwork: Eric J & Cristhian Zamora
Colors: Marco Lesko
Letters: Matt Krotzer
What They Say:
With great power … comes great corruption.
Superheroes are real. They walk the Earth as gods among men. But the fairy tales of them protecting mankind and being heroes were all lies. Humans have become their slaves, fit only to serve their super-powered masters. But in man, the nature of the true hero still survives … and one group rises up to challenge their self-appointed masters.
Can they hope to succeed or will their opposition only push mankind closer to extinction?
Content (please note that portions of review may contain spoilers):
In the aftermath of the rain of destruction, Doctor Paul has reassembled his team under the Nevada desert. This depot has been abandoned for five years but it now may be the only hope for mankind. With Derrick Tillman and a select group of soldiers gathered, the head of the facility General Spencer brings the retired veteran up to date as to the state of the world. Within the past month since their arrival, the group of seven beings lead by the man calling himself Chaos have destroyed fifteen cities across the world and also eradicated all of the military bases. While the communication satellite network still remains intact, all resistance against these invaders has been obliterated by overwhelming force. Tillman still wonders if humanity can do anything these monsters, until the General reminds him of the true purpose of this post: this is where they developed Project Evolution.
While Tillman and the rest decide what they can do to resist these madmen, Chaos and the rest of his group grow tired of waiting for the population to submit to their will. He declares it is time to give them a display of his true power; as he flies into space, the device of their torment lies before him – Chaos will shatter the moon. As the chunks of astral debris pummel the Earth, these new rulers finally address the populace: this show of force was a lesson to those who resist serving them, it is a warning not to oppose their leadership. With this final example, the team now knows they have no other choice, they must undertake the E.V.L. Program to evolve themselves so that they may challenge these new tyrants. But, will their new mutations be enough to overcome their new gods or will this be the end of mankind?
In Summary:
With the fate of humanity now in the hands of a group of maniacal despots and normal resistance all but useless, it seems that mankind has no other choice than to rely on the E.V.L. Program or Project Evolution; I do like this double standard for the title – acknowledgment both toward the good guys and the obvious ones who are truly the scourge of the Earth. However, even as this second issue begins, you cannot but compare this idea of Joe Brusha to a similar one which was created by DC Comics: Project Cadmus. While both facilities are genetic research and engineering laboratories, the latter used alien DNA to supplement humans or create new creatures for their own use. However, in Brusha’s version, it appears that they are trying to unlock mutations hidden within the code of life; but even with this departure, it seems that he is still giving a nod to another marvelous publishing company and their escapades into the heredity ladder. While I can understand the leap towards this obvious choice for augmenting soldiers since mechanical suits would be too clumsy and easily destroyed, I just hope we don’t see any more converted interpretations since this recycling is getting old very fast.
However, even within this concoction of conflicting concepts, there is perhaps a bright tribute to a fallen hero. I cannot but help notice that the main protagonist of the series is named Derrick Tillman, the same surname as the American football player turned soldier Pat Tillman. While this may be just a coincidence, it may be a shining memory to this Ranger who fell due to friendly fire. Although it may be wishful thinking, one can always hope that such a memorial is made to someone whose death was mishandled due to not wanting to tarnish the image of the U.S. military. Let us just hope that this version will survive or not least not fall in such a dishonorable manner.
Even while we are trying to make sense of this overly elaborate storyline, the reader cannot but be treated to more cruel and sadistic tyranny all thanks to the magnificent artistry of Eric J and Cristhian Zamora and the wonderful colors of Marco Lesko. Right from the beginning, this trio is able to establish the absolute devastation for the world and communicate it just such simplistic panels, then turn up the tension with Chaos hanging above his new unsuspecting victims. You can feel the tension throughout the issue, steadily rising as the invaders establish their superiority and the humans cowering, placating themselves if they wish to stay alive. Eric J and Zamora’s art styles do not clash but beautifully merge into one cohesive narrative with Zamora acting as the link between the two illustrative techniques, not allowing either to detract from the other. Then we have the ultimate climax of all, the shattering of the moon – the way they spread it over a double spread with a sinister glow of explosive orange magnifies the intensity and the power which humanity must stand against. The cinematic direction story is told holds us to the page, not letting go until we breathe a sigh of relief or a gasp of surprise, allowing the reader to soak in the tale as a whole, while basking in the brilliance.
Now that the dust has settled, we now can see that another familiar element has been introduced to the issue. While it may fit the premise of outfitting normal humans for combat against superior foes, all of these similar concepts are detracting from what could have be an original idea in itself, if not for having to lean on the ideas of other publishers. Hopefully now that the characters have been established and the battle lines have been drawn, we will not have to see any more analogous notions and will be able to continue to a promising narrative. If not, there may be little hope for this story before it turns into another mundane tale.
Grade: C+
Rating: T (Teen)
Released By: Zenescope
Release Date: September 28, 2016
MSRP: $3.99
