• Review - Alpha Flight #1 (vol.4) Advanced Review (No Spoilers)

    Alpha Flight  #1 Volume 4 coverALPHA FLIGHT #1 ( of 8 )
    Written by GREG PAK & FRED VAN LENTE
    Penciled by DALE EAGLESHAM
    Cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
    Variant Cover by DALE EAGLESHAM
    FEAR ITSELF TIE-IN




    The following article is an advanced, no-spoiler review of Alpha Flight (vol.4) #1. The issue will be available in stores on Wednesday June 15th.

    As a long time fan, I've been eagerly waiting for this series. Finally seeing the classic Alpha Flight back together in action has had me chomping at the bit. I do also want to try and see this series from the perspective of a reader who may not be the uber-fan I am.

    Marrina kicks AtumaIssue 0.1 gave us a nice introduction into the series, while setting the stage. The political situation in Canada, and some of the challenges Alpha Flight would have to face. This (#1) issue picked up on those themes, fleshing them out some, and giving us a better idea of what Prime Minister Gary Cody and his Unity party was up to.

    As expected, seeing the team in action was fantastic, and the action itself was extremely well done! Writers Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente did a great job of balancing action and battle with narrative and story-line. Dale Eaglesham's story telling skills with his art are quite impressive. There were enough tidbits of history, and inside jokes to satisfy the old-school fans, but I felt a new reader would not have felt lost, rather would be a little intrigued. The characterization was spot on. Great banter from Sasquatch, Northstar's general attitude and concern for his sister were perfect. Marrina's new attitude was actually refreshing, and I think it adds a good new dynamic to the team. It felt to me like we got enough of a sense of each character and some of their relationships for new readers to be interested in them.

    Guardian FlyingIn interviews we have been given a sense of just how much the creative and editorial teams care about this book and the characters. Having read Alpha Flight #1, they have now proven their commitment and dedication.

    Eaglesham's art is not just good story telling as I mentioned already, but it is also beautiful. The characters are expressive, dynamic and "properly" drawn. He managed to succeed where so many others have failed, in properly capturing Sasquatch's look.

    We finally found out who the "betrayer" is in Alpha Flight. Quite an upset, and it left me with a few ideas and strong theories about the reasons for the betrayal.

    At the end of the book we are treated with Dale Eaglesham's character sketches done in preparation for the series. There is some nice insight into how he worked with each character and fleshed them out. We also have a bonus printing of and interview with the writers, reviewing Alpha Flight's history. This will be a nice feature for new readers to Alpha Flight, as it will help them understand the team better.

    Alpha Flight #1 SketchbookThis was a great first issue, it left me eager for the next issue, though distraught at having to wait a month for it! I definitely felt the writers were successful in creating a book that is both accessible to new readers, while giving long time fans exactly what they've been asking for since Alpha Flight volume one was cancelled so many years ago.

    I would at this time like to encourage everyone to buy the book, even buy two copies, and give one away to someone who will enjoy it. The as has been established in interviews and other articles, the best way to support this book is in pre-ordering your copies. Should sales support it, this book has a good chance of continuing beyond the 8 issues we are currently promised.
    Comments 28 Comments
    1. suzene's Avatar
      suzene -
      Yup, still excited!
    1. DaVeO's Avatar
      DaVeO -
      Me too! Caaaaan't wait.
    1. mvranas's Avatar
      mvranas -
      Thanks for the review, Ben!

      You've been all over the promotion of this series since it was first announced, between the articles and interviews, and I'm happy you were able to objectively review this book and come away feeling satisfied.

      I'm eagerly looking forward to Wednesday!

      -Michael
    1. Phil's Avatar
      Phil -
      Wow.

      Seriously wow.
    1. Phil's Avatar
      Phil -
      Ouch.
    1. suzene's Avatar
      suzene -
      Quote Originally Posted by Phil View Post
      Weirdly, it's the remarks about the art with regards to the coloring that annoy me; the reviewer seems to think Eaglesham did the coloring as well as the art, and comes across as dinging the artist for something that wasn't even his job. Additionally, I just find the phrasing of some of the criticism odd -- he seems to be implying that the fact that the coloring was done on computer is a negative in and of itself, but coloring by computer is pretty standard these days. Maybe he was just coming up short of vocabulary, but it felt like he was reaching for something to be negative about.

      Guess I'll have a better view of things in about 33 hours when I hit the comic shop.
    1. Wolfie's Avatar
      Wolfie -
      Quote Originally Posted by suzene View Post
      Weirdly, it's the remarks about the art with regards to the coloring that annoy me; the reviewer seems to think Eaglesham did the coloring as well as the art, and comes across as dinging the artist for something that wasn't even his job. Additionally, I just find the phrasing of some of the criticism odd -- he seems to be implying that the fact that the coloring was done on computer is a negative in and of itself, but coloring by computer is pretty standard these days. Maybe he was just coming up short of vocabulary, but it felt like he was reaching for something to be negative about.

      Guess I'll have a better view of things in about 33 hours when I hit the comic shop.
      I agree, Suzene -- it's a very odd review! He obviously doesn't understand who-does-what in a comic, for starters. But what strikes me is just the entire tone of the review... Did a member of AF just pee in his cornflakes or something? Was his dog just run over by a Canadian? Why the rabid hate? I think you can all guess that I've read the finished issue, and I can't for the life of me figure out what in this book could possibly have gotten his venom flowing so virulently!

      Don't shoot me if I tell you all that I'm not particularly a comic book fan (I mostly care because Dale draws them!) or even an Alpha Flight fan (I hadn't heard much about this book before Dale got the job, but now I love this team!!). But this little preface serves to support my objectivity when I say that I read this book, and it's GOOD!!!

      So, yeah, bizarro review, I'd say!

      On the other hand, I generally find CBR to be a very negative place, so I try to stay away from there as a rule!
    1. varo's Avatar
      varo -
      thanks for the review ben, wish i had the issue in my hand like you!!!

      i'm still scratching my head on that cbr review. he says he doesn't like it because its not canadian enough and that the colors are to computerized, which he's basing a poor review on a assumption, not a fact, which is odd. then he goes on to rave about fvl/paks story and dales art. then gives it 2 stars out of 5. i am really confused.

      oh well, not gonna stop me from picking up my issue, juts hope it doesn't deter the fence sitter out there.
    1. Phil's Avatar
      Phil -
      Heh, Ben doesn't have it in his hands either!
    1. DelBubs's Avatar
      DelBubs -
      Would this be one of your shop issues Phil? I remember you use to get Omega before release date. Or not??
    1. Phil's Avatar
      Phil -
      No, I don't think they do Retailer Advances these days.

      I *think* (& feel free to correct/edit me Ben) Marvel kindly sent Ben an advance copy for review off the back of the success of his interviews.
    1. varo's Avatar
      varo -
      cool. what are the chances we get a spoiler space for the reveal of the trader?
    1. Phil's Avatar
      Phil -
      You can wait one more day, surely!
    1. DelBubs's Avatar
      DelBubs -
      Quote Originally Posted by Phil View Post
      Yet here, different story (nicked link after Dale Eaglesham posted it at Facebook ) .
    1. varo's Avatar
      varo -
      ha ha phil! my folks used to say the same thing to me when i was a kid, alas, i would always try to find the presents around xmas time. patience is not one of my strongsuits.

      i just hope "the trader" doesn't kill the team dynamic. been waiting a looooong time for the originals to be back together!
    1. Phil's Avatar
      Phil -
      Just don't turn straight to the last page!
      Read the issue properly. It'll make the reveal even better!
    1. Ben's Avatar
      Ben -
      Can't reveal any spoilers, sorry! Tomorrow you'll know.
    1. varo's Avatar
      varo -
      lol. you guys are just downright mean! fine fine, tomorrow it will be!
    1. suzene's Avatar
      suzene -
      Quote Originally Posted by Wolfie View Post
      Don't shoot me if I tell you all that I'm not particularly a comic book fan (I mostly care because Dale draws them!) or even an Alpha Flight fan (I hadn't heard much about this book before Dale got the job, but now I love this team!!). But this little preface serves to support my objectivity when I say that I read this book, and it's GOOD!!!
      Yay! One of us, one of us!

      There are some cool folks over at CBR, but yeah...it's generally not that welcoming a place if your tastes are a bit out of step with mainstream comics (which I still think is a bit of an oxymoron, but that's a whole other discussion).

      22 hours and counting...
    1. swh_comicguy's Avatar
      swh_comicguy -
      Quote Originally Posted by Phil View Post
      Just don't turn straight to the last page!
      Read the issue properly. It'll make the reveal even better!
      Also don't read Marvel's September 2011 Solicitations, as they spoil the last page of issue #1!