Retribution Rising E.S. #1 Review: A Bold Superhero Saga Fueled by Legacy, Power, and Consequence

A New Superhero Epic Emerges

From jump, Retribution Rising E.S. #1 kicks the door in like it’s late for work and doesn’t apologize. This thing shows up loud, confident, and ready to throw hands in the modern superhero space. Right away, it sets up a world where hero worship, destiny, and hard-earned power all crash into each other like a bar fight at closing time. This ain’t your “oops I got powers” origin story. Nah this is about what happens when being a fan turns into being responsible… and when power you didn’t ask for refuses to sit quietly in the corner.

At the heart of it all is Ethana kid who grows up absolutely geeking out over the superhero squad D4. We’re talking posters-on-the-wall, eyes-wide-open, “these-are-legends” energy. D4 Dale, Jake, Elijah, and the mysterious Zare shown as certified heavy hitters. Battle-tested, no-nonsense, larger-than-life heroes seen through the magical, rose-colored glasses of a kid who believes heroes can do no wrong. Fast forward a few years… and yeah, that distance between fan and idol? Gone. Like poof reality check incoming.

We catch up with D4 right in the middle of chaos, throwing down with Trace, a villain whose life goal is simple and spicy: wipe out all superheroes. No half-measures. This fight is brutal, unforgiving, and sets the tone immediately, this world does not play nice. Rover Studio’s black-and-white art goes HARD here. No colors, no distractions, just sharp contrasts, wild motion, heavy shadows, and faces screaming emotion. Every punch feels heavier, every pose more intense. It looks slick, mean, and perfectly matches the violence on the page.

Then BAM the story swerves. Ethan’s father drops a legendary tale about Turlough, an alien warrior straight out of cosmic myth. Sword swinging, enemies dropping, battles that feel epic and ancient all at once. These scenes don’t just look cool (though they absolutely do) they matter. This legend quietly lays the groundwork for everything Ethan is about to discover. When Ethan finally gets the news he’s been secretly hoping for? Oh, it hits. HARD. His transformation feels earned, emotional, and straight-up exhilarating. The armor reveal? Chef’s kiss. He looks powerful, destined, and like someone who just found out their life is way bigger than they thought. But don’t get comfythings escalate FAST.

Enter Spoke. Spiky. Mean. Built like a problem. This villain looks dangerous before he even throws a punchand surprise, surprise he is. D4 gets pushed to their limits, and Z in particular steals the spotlight with slick movement, attitude, and some very memorable panels. The fight choreography stays clean, fast, and relentless. Every hit counts. Then Ethan jumps in… and everything changes. The tide turnsbut not in the happy, victory-lap way. Ethan’s power? Yeah, it’s next level. Like way next level. Stronger than D4. Stronger than expected. And that imbalance? That’s where the real drama lives. The story smartly avoids the “yay I win” moment and instead asks, “Okay… now what?” Power comes with consequences, and Ethan starts realizing that the heroes he worshipped might not be exactly whoor what he thought they were. It’s a gut punch revelation that adds real moral weight. Nobody’s perfect here. Heroes are messy, layered, and sometimes… not entirely honest.

Just when you think things can’t get bigger BOOM full-scale alien invasion. Gifted aliens. Superpowers. No chill. Two of these heavy hitters go toe-to-toe with Ethan in a brutal, drag-out fight that pushes him physically and emotionally. It’s intense, exhausting, and keeps the tension cranked all the way up. The pacing stays tight, the pressure never lets up, and the stakes skyrocket. By the time the issue ends, you’re sitting there like, “Wait… THAT’S where you’re stopping?!” The ending hits with a shocked silence kind of energy. Yeah, there are some grammar hiccups that could’ve used a cleanup pass but honestly? The momentum, mystery, and ambition power right through. The unanswered questions feel intentional, not annoying. Ethan’s future, D4’s true nature, and the looming cosmic chaos all pull you forward like a magnet.

Bottom line? Retribution Rising E.S. #1 doesn’t just introduce a story it throws you into the deep end and dares you to swim. And trust me… you’re gonna want to see what happens next.

SCORE:
4/5

Publisher: E.S Publishing
Writer: Eddie O Shea
Artist: Rover Studio

Author Profile

Al Mega: I'm Al Mega the CEO of Comic Crusaders, CEO of the Undercover Capes Podcast Network, CEO of Geekery Magazine & Owner of Splintered Press (coming soon). I'm a fan of comics, cartoons and old school video games. Make sure to check out our podcasts/vidcasts and more!