Resurrection Man #1

by Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (W); Fernando Dagnino (A)

Resurrection Man was a series I had high hopes for, which had less to do with the character than with the two writers, Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning. With their work in the cosmic part of the Marvel Universe, they have proven supremely capable of writing imaginative tales, and Resurrection Man is the weird kind of off-the-grid character that Abnett and Lanning excel at writing. This comic should have been a sure bet, especially since they created the character.

Resurrection Man sticks to the same formula that it always has, and Abnett and Lanning are clearly having fun killing off their character in inventive ways, each time bringing him back with some power vaguely related to the method in which he died. The dialogue of the book, however, somehow doesn’t match the tone of a character who has such an absurd power. Mitch Shelly feels like a pulpy, crime noir detective, and while this has it’s place, it’s consistency throughout the issue wanes as Abnett and Lanning throw the odd reference to Lady Gaga in the book. It’s great to see such an inventive character get some page time, something that couldn’t have happened without the DC relaunch, especially considering DC’s attempted stance on “dead means dead” during the Blackest Night story line, but I expected a little more from two writers who have been some of my consistent favourites.

Fernando Dagnino’s art certainly helps emphasize the noir feel of the issue but I’m worried that the character feels a lot darker than he should. That being said, this series has nowhere to go but up from here: DC has wisely chosen to hand over an imaginative character into the arms of his creators, creators who have only had more time to polish their craft since Resurrection Man’s inception over twelve years ago. It’s not a great issue, but Abnett and Lanning have a knack for plotting engaging and epic story arcs and Dagino has proven himself worthy throughout his run on Justice League: Generation Lost, so I feel comfortable placing my faith in these three.

For those who are either returning (resurrected) fans of the original character, or a new reader wanting to try something different, Resurrection Man is a #1 worth checking out.

-Farley Chicilo

Legion Lost #1

by Fabian Nicieza (W); Pete Woods (A)

Legion Lost is a good read if you like densely packed stories featuring over a half a dozen characters with a variety of strange powers from multiple alien worlds.  If that sounds like your cup of tea then you’re probably already a fan of the Legion of Superheroes.  If this is your first experience with the Legion then you will probably feel a little overwhelmed.

This comic hits the ground running with seven Legionnaires from the 31^st century in pursuit of someone named Alastor who they fear has released a mysterious and deadly pathogen.  Writer Fabian Nicieza does his best to introduce the team and give readers a little taste of everyone’s personality, powers and weaknesses but will it be enough for new readers to sink their teeth into?  This book might attract new readers to the Legion if Nicieza had introduced the characters a couple at a time over the course of a few issues, which is the approach Geoff Johns seems to be taking with the new Justice League comic.

Also, can we trade Tellus and Chameleon Girl for a couple of classic Legionnaires? Until I see Matter-Eater Lad and Bouncing Boy in this book, I just won’t be satisfied.

-Theo Kivol