Book 18. Heroes Volume 1. DC Comics
Heroes Volume 1 graphic novel
240 pages
First of all, I am a HUGE fan of Heroes. The first season was better than anything I have ever seen on televion. This is knowing how much of a fan of Lost and Battlestar Galctica I am. So when I say I am a fan, please understand that I think the show is phenomenal.
Saying that, this is about the graphic novel compilation that DC made last November. I have read and reviewed a few graphic novels this summer and am far from an expert. So please keep that in mind.
The artwork is amazing. First of all you see Tim Sale's amazing artwork that was showcased in the show. I mean jesus, fucking christ, it is impressive looking. The depth and color in the artwork for the movie was one of the bigger hooks for me. Seeing it in the graphic novel, just gave you that I needed to get hooked in the novel.
The short comic strips were written by Aron Eli Colette and Joe Pokaski (and assorted others) who are writers for the show. You can see their touches on the strips and it made them come alive. A few highlights.
-A touching scene where Hiro honors his grandfather at a Hiroshima memorial.
-Nathan Petrelli saving a woman by flying up to a burning building and retrieving her.
-How D.L. escaped from prison.
-Isaac Mendez's fateful first vision of the future (a woman getting hit by a bus), which he was selling at an art exhibit.
That was just a short list. :)
Interestingly, a lot of the comics focus on one character. Hana Gitelman. She was in the first season for a very brief period of time. Her ability is that she can see any email, text message, satellite transmissions or any other type of communication, She teams up with Matt Parkman (mind reader) and Ted Sprague (radioactive man) to try to take down the company that has been kidnapping people with abilities.
It was an interesting idea since she was not in the show that long. Yet, it was nice to see someone grow in the novel and go away from giving you tidbits from your favorite characters. She had drive and a personal stake in everything, and it tied nicely into what we know about season one. Her death? was not too shocking, but it was one that took courage.
My rating. Pushing the cusp of greatness. 9.0 out of 10. It was so much fun to go back through something I know and love. The show is amazing and this was a treat to read.
What is next. The Watchmen by Alan Moore For my book club.