21Six.net

While browsing for things to read, I’ve come across a new comic that’s piqued my interest. The story is called “Absolution” which is by Christos Gage with Robert Viacava doing the artwork for it. This, like one of my favorite books, Doktor Sleepless, is published through Avatar Press– known more for their particularly less-than-pleasant take on various aspects of the comic book genre.

With only two issues out there, I’m already hooked on this series.

I’ve never read anything before of Christos, so I didn’t know what to expect with this book. However, I’m more than willing, after seeing this, to read more. But enough. Let’s talk about this book. This is described on the purchasing page for the comic at Comic Cavalcade as:

ABSOLUTION introduces John Dusk, a superhero in a world where they’re a sanctioned arm of law enforcement. But this veteran hero has been scarred by his exposure to man’s infinite capacity for evil, and he’s seen one too many perpetrators escape justice. One day he crosses the line…lets a murderer die…and discovers it feels good. Surrounded by sociopaths, both human and superhuman, who he knows will prey on others if they’re not stopped–permanently–how far will he go, knowing every step he takes puts him further on a collision course with his teammates Alpha and The Servant, not to mention his homicide detective girlfriend?

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen a vigilante-gone-wrong comic, but there’s something about this book that just strikes me as really interesting so far. There’s just something about it that’s appealing to me, and I think part of it has to do with how the book, so far, just isn’t a generic superhero book. One of the things that’s nice, for instance, is the oddly practical look of the costume which you can see in the link I posted up there. The suit is armored, and the pants of it look kind of like jeans. The helmet is a helmet. It looks like something someone might actually wear if they needed a suit like that.

The muscle definition, then, is justified.

I can’t, given the little bit that’s been shown in issues #0 and #1 properly determine if I’m going to accurately like this book, but I think I will. The way the man seems genuinely haunted by the things he’s seen in the past, and takes it out in a brutal way while simultaneously trying to avoid being caught by his love is an interesting conflict that I’d like to see elaborated on.

He also has an interesting looking power that I’d like to see developed more. He creates something to the effect of glowing tendrils that he uses to get around, and manipulate his surroundings. It’s like a, if you’ll excuse the awkward phrasing, tangible telekinesis. Or like Doctor Octopus if it was energy instead of robot arms.

I can’t wait to see where it goes. I wholly recommend this book.