Commanders In Crisis #1 - Image Comics

COMMANDERS IN CRISIS No. 1, October 2020

Considering that Steve Orlando’s job with this mini-series’ opening instalment was to introduce a mega-event with an entire universe of super-powered characters “you’ve never heard of”, Issue One of “Commanders In Crisis” was more than likely seen as something of a success by its estimated 38,500 readers in October 2020. For whilst the twenty-four page periodical doesn’t really reveal the nature of the cataclysmic fate about to befall the planet Earth, apart from the notion that it involves “cosmic sepsis”, Frontier’s investigation into the disconcerting death of a mysterious John Doe in Pennsylvania certainly provides this comic with something of an intriguing hook; “What, you writing a novel? We don’t have vampires in Philly, Gina.”

Likewise, the GLAAD Media Award-nominee’s ability to begin building an enthralling backstory to this book’s quite considerable cast is arguably evident, with the titular characters successfully tackling “Mind Muggers from seventy-seven years from now” providing four of the team with plenty of limelight. Admittedly, both Seer and Originator’s special abilities are mystifying, especially the white-costumed Quantum God, whose energy blasts wear her out within mere minutes of the brutal battle starting. But in recognising this lack of exposition, the America author does give Scarlet Davis and Sumaira Shamsie additional sheet-space later in the book by penning how differently the pair cope during the fight’s aftermath.

Quite possibly this publication’s biggest attraction however, is its revelation that apart from Nina, each of member of the Think Tank’s Crisis Command are actually the sole survivor of an alternative world where they were at one-time the President of the United States. The fact these commanders-in-chief have now all come together to supposedly save “the last Earth left” is a fascinating concept, as is Orlando’s implication that the all-consuming Cosmic Sepsis has enough self-awareness so as to be potentially attracted to our planet should things get “bad enough.”

Packing this comic’s punches with plenty of “Pow!” and “Pop!” is Davide Tinto, whose artwork throughout “The Action Of Mystery” does a good job of enhancing its storytelling. Above all the Naples-born illustrator imbues this book’s big battle with plenty of pulse-pounding pace, and even manages to include such details as the odd Mind Muggers’ brain in a backpack getting pulped by Prizefighter for the less squeamish bibliophile.

The regular cover art of "COMMANDERS IN CRISIS" #1 by Davide Tinto