Champions #1
Gabriel De Jesus
Recap
THE CHAMPIONS RETURN IN TROUBLED TIMES!
• A law is passed that goes against everything Ms. Marvel, Nova and Spider-Man founded the Champions for…But the world still needs heroes, even if the world doesn’t want them right now.
• After Ms. Marvel makes an unexpected and emotional announcement that her team won’t go down without a fight, a group of teen vigilantes gathers to plan their next move. But the C.R.A.D.L.E. task force is hot on their trail, and there’s a spy in their midst…
• Eve L. Ewing (IRONHEART, OUTLAWED) and Simone Di Meo (IMMORTAL HULK: THE BEST DEFENSE and VENOM: ACTS OF EVIL) team up for a dramatic new era of Champions that will define Marvel’s teen heroes for years to come!
Review
Champions #1 picks up where Outlawed and Mrs. Marvel #14 left us. The explosion caused by an inexperienced young hero has resulted in legislation. Forced to choose between breaking the law or only operated in government-sanctioned ways, tensions flair as their leaders have a breakdown in communication. The story beats easily bring up memories of the original Civil War event almost a decade and a half ago, with little in the first issue to differentiate. But with a cast of characters that was absent from that event and seemingly geared towards an audience that would have missed it as well, there is plenty of potential.
Eve L Ewing delivers the story with precision. Starting with Miles Morales, we see how the Kamala Law effects not just teen heroes but teenagers as a whole. And that effect is conflict. The story is anchored by Miles. But like the events taking place around him, Ewing does a good job displaying the inner conflict Miles is feeling himself. Despite the focus on Spider-Man, there is plenty of hints that the Champions will remain an ensemble style book with plenty of characters present.
The art by Simone Di Meo and colors by Federico Blee are beautiful. They do a wonderful job matching the tense emotional tone of the story. The action is clear despite delivering the sense of chaos necessary for the narrative. While the featured teens’ various moods are easily read on each of their faces, and impressive task considering the large roster of the Champions.
Final Thoughts
While Champions #1 does not tread new ground, Eve L. Ewing, Simone Di Meo, and Federico Blee take a concept from an iconic Marvel story and approach it from the teen lens, paving the way for an intriguing story.
Champions #1: History Repeating (SPOILER FREE)
- Writing - 8/108/10
- Storyline - 6.5/106.5/10
- Art - 9/109/10
- Color - 9/109/10
- Cover Art - 8.5/108.5/10
