Former superhero and media star Jack Xavier has been tangled up in a case regarding the death of his former nemesis, The Hodag. Now that the Hodag is dead, all eyes are on Xavier, as he is accused of committing the deed. The odds are stacked against him and he has to find a way to clear his name. How can a former superhero seek to prove their innocence when everyone hates him as is?
Tony Fleecs and Tim Seeley ramp up the mystery of The Hodag murder as it seems tied to Xavier, formerly known as Crossjack. The writing is smooth as the characters and the dialogue all flow seamlessly throughout the book, which adds to the charm to this noir about à former superhero down on his luck. There are some heartfelt moments that give more depth to Jack’s relationship with his cast, and to former allies and enemies in his life that changes the way readers perceive his life and the superhero career he was a part of. It’s interesting seeing the kind of layers that are peeled back about Xavier’s life and how it unfolds as more information about his past life spills into the present.
Both writers handle art duties with Seeley focused on the Third Gen segments while Fleecs illustrates the present-day segments of Farmington. The art serves its purpose, pushing the story forward between the dower realities, and thé rose tinted glasses of past former glories. The color work by Brad Simpson and Felipe Sobreiro is expertly done, beautifully distinguishing the different eras which adds another layer to Xavier’s journey as he tries to make sense of the mystery of The Hodag’s death and his own past. This series flips the trope of superhero stories, by masking it as a noir mystery of former glories and harsh realities. It’s a worthwhile read and one to add to your pull list for new comic book day.
Newsdesk