Plutona #1 Review- A Super Beginning
Review by Nolan P. Smith
Writers: Jeff Lemire and Emi Lenox
Artist: Emi Lenox
Publisher: Image Comics
(Victor Valley)– When Image Comics announced their slew of new titles slated to hit in 2015, Plutona was one I was looking forward to the most. The premise sounded pretty great: a group of kids stumble upon the dead body of one of the world’s greatest superheroes. Plus, it’s co-created by Jeff Lemire- the same man who made DC Comic’s Animal Man relevant in the “New 52”, has been hitting the mark on Marvel’s Hawkeye, and created one of the coolest sci-fi books to hit this year, Descender. So, undoubtedly, I was excited to get my hands on Plutona.
It didn’t disappoint.
Lemire and newcomer Emi Lenox create a story where superheroes are real, “cape spotting” by eagle eye fans is a thing, much like bird watching, but life goes on like normal around the world. We see a slice of normal, young life…well, normal enough until they come across the dead body of Plutona. We have Mie, the self imposed leader of this merry band of misfits, her little brother Mike, Teddy- the hero watcher of the skies, the rough around the edges Ray, and the follower Diane. We see the pecking order established, and hopefully how these five will grow with this life changing event.
Emi Lenox creates a visual landscape that fits this story perfectly. Lenox’s simple style invokes memories of another different kind of superhero book, Powers. I don’t know about you, but that’s a great book to be compared to. Not only does Lenox bring to life the main story, but the backstory, which showcases Plutona pre-mortem I would assume, and does so superbly.
Was this issue perfect? Of course not- but it was a great start for what promises to be a very interesting and entertaining story. Lemire shows once again why he was one of my favorite writers in the business right now, and Lenox creates a solid start to what is bound to be an imagination filled career.
Rating: I give Plutona #1 a solid 4 out of 5. This is a great first issue that sets the stage for what exactly does happen if you come across a dead superhero. Never thought I would ever type that sentence.