Issue: Alpha Flight: True North #1
Writers: Jim Zub, Jed Mackay, Ed Brisson
Artists: Max Dunbar, Djibril Morissette-Phan, Scott Hepburn
Colorists: Jim Charalampidis, Ian Herring
Letterer: Ed Brisson
Covers: Nick Bradshaw & Federico Blee, Ramón K. Pérez (Variant)
Date Published: September 4, 2019
Review by -KM-
OVERVIEW
Alpha Flight: True North #1 features a cascade of Canadian’s talent, which brings three brand new tales that unearth the secret history of classic Alpha Flight stalwarts
---[WARNING! SPOILERS]---
“Mired in the Past”
The story begins in the Great White North with mainstays Snowbird and Talisman. A dark aura has surrounded the town of Kugaaruk and the duo begin to investigate. Suddenly without warning they are surrounded by demonic forces, and are forced to defend themselves. When all hope is lost, Snowbird’s human shroud is removed, releasing her divine glow and banishing the darkness from it's place This reveals the spirit of a confused old man. The spirit is none other than Richard Eaton, Snowbird’s human father. After a touching conversation Talisman is asked to finally put Richard’s soul to rest.
Out of the three stories I enjoyed this one the most. I would have liked it to be longer to really flesh out the story, but Jim Zub wrote a compelling story and it was a great character arc for the Demi-Goddess Snowbird, who, often held tightly onto her divinity, was happy she was reminded of what also makes her human.
The creature designs by Max Dunbar were menacing and felt like a serious threat to our heroes. Though they didn’t say in the story, the beasts likely had ties to the “Great Beasts” which Richard summoned way back in Alpha Flight (Vol.1) #1. The colors used by Jim Charalampidis were visually catching and managed to contrast the coming darkness that surrounded the town exceptionally well. Snowbird’s divine light pushing back the darkness was my favorite scene.
“Monsters”
The story begins in Prince Edward Island where the team is taking a much needed break.
Puck begins telling Marrina one of his past adventures with cult favorite characters Fat Cobra and Ulysses Bloodstone. During that time the trio hunted monsters; not because it made the world safer, but because they could and because they liked it. During one adventure they came across a cult who was providing sacrifices to a mysterious monster. It transpires that Puck isn’t telling Marrina a story, but instead a confession. It is revealed that the monster was a member of Marrina’s race, the Plodex.
Puck has carried the guilt of killing the monster, instead of letting it grow and perhaps turn into someone like Marrina. Marrina reassures Puck, saying she doesn’t want his confession and that he doesn’t need her forgiveness and ends the conversation with “were all monsters, somewhere inside. You, me, everyone. But. Human or alien, were people, and people can decide who they are. We can change. For the better”.
The two friends share a touching moment and continue their walk on the beach and the story ends with Marrina asking Puck to tell her another story.
Another strong story by Jed MacKay. You could tell Jed really researched the characters and provided a touching moment between the two that felt natural. Overall, I felt the story was paced well and was a great self-contained story.
The art style by Djibril Morissete-Phan & Ian Herring fits well with the tone of the story and gave us a vibe of a classic noir crime story.
“Illegal Guardians”
The story takes place after Alpha Flight (Vol.4)#8 and before Amazing X-Men (Vol.2)#8.
It begins in “Kelowna, British Columbia” with Heather Hudson and her daughter enjoying some quiet time whilst they are still on the “run” for crimes she committed whilst under the Master of the World’s influence.
Suddenly the mercenary group the Outcasts (Cleft, Flagstone, Depth Charge) teleport in under orders to bring in Heather dead or alive. The mercenaries get the upper hand until suddenly Guardian arrives to help rescue his estranged wife and daughter. Mac reveals he has been watching them for some time and was giving them space to figure things out as the Unity influence wore off.
They talk and Mac helps get Heather and his daughter set-up in a new house - only for it to be revealed they are actually in a Department H VR pod and that Mac is responsible for the manipulation.
He was even giving his wife and daughter neurostims to help with the deception and to make Heather to trust Department H and him again.
It ends with Mac discussing with a scientist how they can make the scenario more believable as he watches his wife and daughter share a loving hug through a computer monitor.
Illegal Guardians had an interesting take on Mac and Heather’s relationship, but did leave us wondering why Mac didn’t simply use the equipment he built in Alpha Flight Vol.4 to simply heal her mind? Also it made Mac seem very manipulative which he wasn’t shown to be in the past. I found it to be an interesting concept, but think could have been handled better. Ed Brisson deserves some kudos for using the Outcasts though; the team haven’t been seen since Alpha Flight (Vol.1) #123. They felt natural in the story and were a nice nod to any longtime fans.
Scott Hepburn & Jim Charalampidis' art worked really well, and their action scenes were especially great. The colors were vibrant and stood out and some panels reminded me of Byrne’s style of keeping the background detail to a minimal to really bring out the characters and their facial expressions.
SUMMARY:
I really enjoyed the three stories as each was unique, but still had the common theme of the past defining the character's present life. It also shows the various inspirations of the team, as the stories ranged from being mystical forces to science fiction, yet at the center of them all; human people and emotions. It’s definitely an issue that can’t be missed by longtime fans, yet not overburdened with overload of past lore to deter new readers from enjoying the book
Overall I give Alpha Flight: True North 8.5 maple leafs out of 10.
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