The Terrifics #1
Publisher: DC
Story: Jeff Lemire
Pencils: Ivan Reis
Inks: Joe Prado
Colors: Marcelo Maiolo
Letters: Tom Napolitano
The fourth book in DC’s “New Age of Heroes” comics, The Terrifics is the first team book in the lineup, and also the first book to feature a stable of well-known characters from DC’s decades-long history.
To get this first part of the review out of the way: No, this is not DC’s “answer” to Fantastic Four. Yes, the book features four characters, and yes there are some strong (and some not so strong) resemblances to Marvel’s FF power suites (Metamorpho is the stand-in for the Thing, etc.), but in interviews with the creative team, it becomes clear that this was never the intent for the book. It started with Lemire wanting to write a Metamorpho story and being told that Rex Mason wasn’t a big enough character to carry a book solo, so they also gave Lemire Plastic Man, and the series grew from there. Readers would do well not to approach The Terrifics expecting a family-drama team book along the lines of Fantastic Four; they are sure to be disappointed.
In addition to being the only team-book so far in the New Age of Heroes line, The Terrifics is also the book that most directly ties into the “Dark Nights Metal” event, just ahead of Sideways. The role of Nth Metal and Plastic Man’s mysterious egg in which he was forced into by Batman during the Dark Nights Metal preludes. And also unlike the other entries thus far in New Age of Heroes, The Terrifics mainly takes place in the Dark Multiverse.
The action begins right away, with Mr. Terrific, Metamorpho, and Plastic Man (his egg) all being introduced within the first five pages. This is a very odd, almost misfit team, as these characters normally wouldn’t have much reason to be working together, but that’s what makes the idea so much fun. Plastic Man’s characterization is a bit less wacky and comedic than past depictions, but it adds depth to his character as he begins processing that he was stored in an egg, against his will, by Batman. Mr. Terrific and Metamorpho don’t get much chance to show their character in this issue, as the action moves swiftly along to introduce two unexpected characters. The trio discover Phantom Girl in the Dark Multiverse, but it is revealed quickly that this is not the original Phantom Girl from the Legion of Superheroes, but another, albeit related, character. Once again, given the particular structure of the story, it’s difficult to get a sense of Phantom Girl’s character in this first issue. But the stage is set to explain her relationship to the Phantom Girl from the Legion, and learn more about how she came be trapped in the Dark Multiverse. However, the four characters team-up with little pretext and continue exploring for a way out of their predicament when they come across yet another character who seems destined to become yet another member of their motley crew of heroes.
While there is not an abundance of characterization in this first issue, these are all established characters of the DC Universe (with the exception of the new Phantom Girl), so it’s easy to see that their drastically different personalities could make for some interesting inter-character conflict in future issues. That does not become readily evident in this issue, but it’s bubbling just under the surface.
Ivan Reis really shines in this issue, particularly in his character designs. Metamorpho is a character that is very difficult to depict without making him look silly or stupid, so kudos to Reis for keeping the classic look of Metamorpho with the different colors in different parts of his body rather than trying to update him. Plastic Man is also a fun character to work with, and Reis’ designs help to get across Plas’ more comical side while still conveying the seriousness of the situation the characters find themselves in. The backgrounds are a bit minimal in this issue, with the exception of the first few pages in Simon Stagg’s lab, but this is really an issue that more focuses on introducing the team so it’s proper that the characters are the ones being highlighted ahead of detailed backgrounds.
Marcello Maiolo is one of my favorite colorists in comics right now, and his colors bring a brightness and depth to Reis’ pencils. There are very colorful characters, and the Dark Multiverse is rife with opportunities to showcase just how alien a place it is, and Maiolo’s colors accomplish that. The bright green energy effects of Stagg’s lab give way to dark reds, purples, and browns to depict the Dark Multiverse, with the characters’ colorful costumes, particularly Metamorpho, providing a contrast to help them stand out.
The Terrifics is among the strongest New Age of Heroes titles so far, and now that the obligatory introductory “introduce all the characters” issue is out of the way, the future issues should be even more story and character driven, accompanied by Reis’, Prado’s, and Maiolo’s spectacular artwork.
Martin Thomas
martin@comicattack.net
