by Russell Burlingame
Hero Squared: Love & Death #1 (of 3)
Russell Burlingame on the issue
It's been quite a long time since Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis released an issue of their creator-owned series Hero Squared from Boom! Studios. The story-a light-hearted take on the superhero genre in the mold of the pair's memorable run on Justice League, has traditionally been penciled by Joe Abraham, who managed only the cover of this month's issue (with art chores being taken care of principally by Nathan Watson).
As ever, Giffen and DeMatteis put together a delightful little book, which leaves the audience hoping that this miniseries comes out on time (although its title-- "The Beginning of the End"--and Giffen's DC exclusivity seem like a bad tiding for the story and characters beyond this mini).
There's an element of Final Crisis in this issue, which is funny since the last issue of that series came out on the same day as the first issue of this one. It begins-as did Final Crisis-with a godlike being falling from the sky, already dead or close to it. Only here, instead of Orion, it's Captain Valor who is falling from the sky-but not the Captain Valor we've been following. Whether it's actually another Captain Valor, an impostor or a clone created by the (potentially-) villainous Caliginous, nobody can be sure-except that the final pages depict a Captain Valor who appears to be from Earth-Disney (he looks just like Goofy, except for the Captain Valor costume) as he attempts to recruit Milo into a battle he claims will determine the fate of the Multiverse.
All of this, plus a promise of resolution to the Stephie/Captain Valor/Caliginous/Milo love rectangle make this a must-read, and catapults this miniseries to the top of my personal list of things to pick up for the next three months. With a little luck, it won't be the end of the Hero Squared property, and we'll get some more good stuff out of it.
Take A Look Inside
The Official Word
It s the return of Captain Valor, his parallel-world alter-ego, Milo, and at least one homicidal ex-girlfriend! DeMatteis and Giffen s geeeenius super-hero series Hero Squared is back for a three-issue finale that will leave you gobsmacked! Interested in checking out Hero Squared but never had the chance?
28 Jan 2009 | $3.99 US | OCT083929
W: J.M. DeMatteis W: Keith Giffen P: Nate Watson
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