Advance Review: Heroes Reborn Squadron Savage #1

Ethan Sacks is a master of complex characterization, and Heroes Reborn Squadron Savage makes perfect use of this. The issue is packed with layer upon layer of duplicitous manipulation and the pain of uncovering that ones reality is based entirely on lies. This of course reflects the larger world of Heroes Reborn, where reality has been twisted to one in which the Avengers never existed and a rotten Squadron Supreme plays the role of hero.

This issue unfolds like a Marvel version of Suicide Squad, with Elektra working with a mysterious benefactor to gather a group of less than heroic muscle to take down a specific target. She begins in Westchester and interrupts Frank Castle’s family time to give him armor and recruit him for a mission. She then visits Russia to pick up Cloak, promising him revenge against the Redeemers who oppose the Squadron Supreme and killed Dazzler. She adds in Crossbones, Murder Hornet and a mysterious additional team member from the lab of General Lukin.

The team attacks the Redeemers in Chernia with a really well executed battle sequence. As the battle progresses the Savage Squadron’s perceptions unravel, Cloak realizes Dazzler is alive and on the Redeemers and it was he who was kidnapped by Elektra and brainwashed. Punisher realizes the same, remembering his family is dead just before he kills Crossbones and Elektra kills him. Elektra finally makes it to her target alone, Kang the Conqueror.

Kang explains this timeline is not true and Elektra reveals the last member of the team from Lukin’s lab. The Winter Soldier stands revealed and kills Kang just as Kang shoots him. Elektra fades back to her benefactor who praises her work in taking down the Redeemers and Kang. Kingpin is revealed before Elektra is brainwashed again to start a new mission with the surviving members of the Savage Squadron and Redeemers joined.

The story here is fantastic and the layers are explained well in spite of being a lot of plot for a single issue. There is not quite enough room to spell out the origins of the Redeemers, and it might have been a better idea to use more familiar characters for that squad as a short-hand to readers dealing with a very different world.

The art by Luca Pizzari does a masterful job of laying out all the complex elements and creates a spectacular battle with the Redeemers which fills the majority of the issue. There is just the right balance of smaller moments and larger splash pages to give this issue an epic scope. The writing and art balance such a large cast with varied powers, personalities and appearances wonderfully and this is a great issue that reminds us of the heyday of Age of Apocalypse and what a great team can do when given a unique opportunity in the midst of a larger crossover.

Writing: 4 of 5 stars
Art: 4.2 of 5 stars
Colors: 4 of 5 stars

Overall: 4.1 of 5 stars

Writing: Ethan Sacks
Art: Luca Pizzari
Colors: Carlos Lopez
Publisher: Marvel Comics

Author Profile

M.R. Jafri

M.R. Jafri was born and raised in Niagara Falls New York and now lives with his family in Detroit Michigan. He's a talkative introvert and argumentative geek. His loves include Star Wars, Star Trek, Superheroes, Ninja Turtles, Power Rangers, Transformers, GI Joe, Films, Comics, TV Shows, Action Figures and Twizzlers.