Stormwatch #1 is written by Paul Cornell and penciled by Miguel Sepulveda. Paul Cornell is most famous for his writings concerning the British hero, Timelord, and time traveler, Dr. Who.
Stormwatch is a Wildstorm property that DC is trying to blend into the regular DC ‘continuity’ by creating a regular serial by using DC’s new 52 as a proverbial launch pad. Stormwatch is an organization that disbands the use of the term ‘hero’ and lives in secrecy in order to protect Earth from its greatest threats. No one knows that they exist even though they have watched and protected Earth since the Middle Ages.
Stormwatch calls Jack Hawksmoor, Apollo, Midnighter, the Martian Manhunter, Jenny Quantum, the Engineer, Adam One, the Projectionist, and the Eminence of Blades as its members and seeks to combine Wildstorm, DC, and new characters into a super group that exists to protect and serve in secrecy.
Issue #1 opens with Stormwatch headquarters, dubbed the Eye of the Storm, floating through hyperspace and introduces readers to DC’s new characters Adam One and the Engineer conversing about the other members of Stormwatch and a new menace that seems to resemble a giant horn.
The issue then flips to Earth as the Engineer peers into their teammates endeavors to recruit the antihero Apollo into their ranks. Jack provides a detailed argument as to why Apollo should join Stormwatch, but Apollo resists and bolts from Jack and his companions, the Martian Manhunter and the Projectionist. The three give chase as the issue segues back to Stormwatch headquarters.
The Eminence of Blades is geared up and heading out in an astronaut suit to gather intelligence on the claws that have recently begun to form upon the surface of the moon. Once reaching the celestial body, the Eminence of Blades is sucked below the surface of the moon where he is confronted and possessed by an alien entity named the Scourge of Worlds. Before possessing Harry Tanner, aka the Eminence of Blades, the creature claims to be the only being able to survive and combat the peril that theEngineer viewed earlier upon the Eye of the Storm.
Back on Earth Apollo is still running from the rest of Stormwatch by ducking and dodging down back alleys in an effort to lose his followers. Jack, with his ability to alter and speak to the city around him, flips gravity thus sending Apollo crashing to the ceiling. In his anger Apollo throws a punch at the Martian Manhunter. The Martian Manhunter merely replies, “Impressive…,” and then proceeds to shape shift into a monster to battle Apollo more effectively. Suddenly, Midnighter flashes into view striking down the three members of Stormwatch and the issue the ends with Midnight shaking Apollo’s hand and asking, “With your help, I can kill every evil bastard on the planet. Interested…?”
Personal Thoughts: I really enjoyed this comic book because it introduced and updated some great Wildstorm characters as well as adding DC’s Martian Manhunter. Time will tell if the new characters added to the Stormwatch roster will gain popularity and really shine through the established DC and Wildstorm characters. Paul Cornell’s style bleeds through excellently and catches the reader’s attention almost immediately. He sets up the group’s dynamic nicely by splitting the issue into two interwoven plots and jockeying back and forth as one epiphany leads to another. It was an excellent plot device that allowed Paul to introduce multiple characters efficiently and cohesively. He blends science fiction masterfully with some truly rich characters. The art was interesting as well. The characters facial expressions were not as detailed as in some of the other new 52, but some abstract and really colorful pieces were sprinkled throughout the issue that made the art standout in just the right moments. However, that being said the more grandioso moments such as the illustrations of the giant worm in the Himalayas, the images in space, and the Manhunter from Mars’ shift were done excellently. The depiction of the Stormwatch headquarters in the very first panel is excellently colored. The muted hues blended together to represent hyperspace really caught my eye. Also, when the Martian Manhunter transforms, into a fearsome monster, to corral Apollo the art that showcased the Manhunter’s transformation was exceptional; the piece was excellently rendered. I look forward to reading more and I will definitely be reading this serial continuously.
I give Stormwatch #1 four-and-a half stars out of five. Check back here for more coverage on DC’s NEW 52 as the new issues release throughout the weeks!
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