New Beginnings - Protectors Inc. #1

As a renewed imprint, J. Michael Straczynski’s Joe’s Comics has been quite a hit for me. First with Ten Grand and then with Sidekick. So with a new title out this week - Protectors Inc. - it was a no brainer to pick it up to read.

Protectors Inc. opens with what should be a fairly normal flight for the CIA followed by a trouble free car transfer too. Well it should have been until the axle of the car breaks and there follows a suspicious flash of lightning.

Segueing into a courtroom - with the aforementioned lightning as a backdrop - we are introduced to our narrator. Things aren’t going well for him as the jury are all too interested in what is going on outside. The lightning wasn’t the sign of an impending storm, but in fact a superhuman fight being held in the clouds. This is a world (or at least a United States) where the evolution of superhero has gone from patriotic protector to sponsored territorial overseer. 

Through the power of flashback we learn how an incident in the Second World War left one man imbued with superpowers. He went on to become The Patriot. Once back in the States more heroes emerged – although this is cynically commented upon as being the product of rich individuals – and Protectors Inc. was formed. A band of superheroes using their powers for good. Although times changed and people became more attracted to sponsorship deals and appearances. All except for The Patriot who disappeared from the limelight, not really wanting to have been a part of it all.

Admittedly, this is all very similar to the story Jupiter’s Legacy released months ago by Mark Millar, and although it is not by any means a copy there are a large number of parallels that can be drawn. Here we have the new era of superpowers and a breed of heroes motivated by selfish luxuries not morals. Thankfully there are also enough differences to give this new title it’s own individuality and identity. The main difference being that unlike Jupiters Legacy, the splitting of the superheroes has led them to become territorial - protective of their own chosen cities and areas, even to the point of infighting between them.

The big question is what will happen when a hero is really needed? For example, a murderer with unfinished business is on the loose...

Gordon Purcell has created the art for the issue. Most people will know him for his work on licensed tie-ins such as Star Trek, but he has also worked for both Marvel and DC across a variety of titles. Strangely I found there was a slight incongruity between the cover work on my review copy (Cover A, which Purcell co-produced) and the internal artwork, as I felt the cover was clearly stronger. In a way it was very reminiscent of Constantine - an authoritative yet enigmatic character smoking. Inside is still quite strong with colourful imagery and some good emotive characters. However with the linework being so deft, it does mean that the detail is occasionally lost. What I did find is that each of the pages felt like they contained focal points for the story.

Overall I would say that this has the potential to be a good story. I didn’t feel that there was enough development or mystery in this issue to make it an absolute must though sadly. Readers should definitely take advantage of the QR code in the back of the issue to get access to an audio version which certainly adds considerable value. As part of the Joe’s Comics brand it’s certainly worth taking a look at, but I would also suggest Ten Grand (first graphic novel hopefully due out before Christmas) and Sidekick (still on the shelves in store) are stronger titles. 

Matt Puddy is wondering what the new art on Ten Grand will look like. By the time you read this, he'll know.

New Beginnings - Ten Grand #1

“Where she’s going, you can’t come. And where you’re going you don’t want her to come.”

Such a simply ominous phrase that provides all of the motivation in Joe Straczynski’s new title Ten Grand.

This is the phrase that an angel used to take Joe Fitzgerald’s love and turn it into a well motivated weapon. Joe is an enforcer, but of a different sort.

Back in the 80’s if there was an issue you needed to sort, the local hoodlums causing you grief or a mob boss breathing down your neck, then you sought out Edward Woodward and used the services of The Equalizer.

If you have a problem that is almost unique in its nature, without necessarily being fixed within the normals of society, then you head to Lenny’s bar and find Joe, because he deals with things that aren’t necessarily normal.

This is the case in point for Debbie, she doesn’t give a surname because names have power - a recurring theme in this issue - and Joe doesn’t need to know or care about it either. The case seems simple on the surface too; a missing sister, a mysterious cult, and a number of clues and snippets of information to help Joe. It’s only when he sees a picture of the man responsible and the mention of demonic practises that things really start getting interesting - especially as Joe put a bullet in that man years before.

The story then explores Joe's backstory, whilst also following him during his investigation by doing things such as summoning Angels in strip clubs – which appears to be a sort of twisted half pleasure for Joe – and using the internet with the alphabet of angels to find answers, all nice little touches on a story that had a definite feel of DC’s Constantine behind it. The big difference there is that Joe died, and keeps dying for the Angels' cause as well, but as long as he dies righteously he earns five precious minutes with Laura the woman he loves and does it all for.

Straczynski has returned to his Joe’s Comics brand with a strong opening salvo. The brand itself is being used as a platform to try and bring new ideas to light. It is an interesting story and an enjoyable read as it didn’t feel dumbed down or too obvious, although as mentioned above the shadow of Constantine looms over you as you read it. Thankfully this it is not a story that is trying to mimic or outdo Hellblazer. It also has a limited lifespan to begin with, as all the new Joe's Comics' titles are planned to be between six or eight issues (maybe 12 at a stretch) before a small break and re-evaluation. This is a concept that I like - if it’s got more life in a story then it will get the time and attention it deserves rather than rolling it out quickly to make a fast buck. I’m already hoping that this is going to be on that repeat list.

Ben Templesmith is the artist for this title too and I don’t recognise his work immediately, despite his well known work on 30 Days Of Night and his own creator-owned titles. Normally I am a big fan of tight clean lines with lots of detail in the frame and shy away from artists who don’t work in this way. However I found myself reading both the story and the artwork in this issue. I’m not completely sold on his work as I found levels of variation in it with some pages. Possibly there is something psychological in it all as I found the darker pages, or ones highlighted in reds and oranges to be stronger art for me, while the calmer coloured ones didn’t evoke so much of a response. I have to say my favourite was the last page as it had a strange sinister angel depicted in one part and then macabre images in another.

As a brand new title with a different perspective on things I would suggest getting it to read. Fans of JMS certainly won’t be disappointed by the writing either.

Matt Puddy is ready to delve into Gail Simone's new offering.