27. Hypernaturals Vol. 1

Writers:  Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning

Artist:  Brad Walker

First Publication:  2013

Challenge:  Graphic Novels Challenge (#14)


Boom! Studios has published some very good super hero titles.  I enjoyed the Mark Waid universe (“Irredeemable”, etc.) and one of my current favorites is “Deathmatch”.  “Hypernaturals” is filling a gap in my current comic book reading.  One of the first comics I ever read was a Legion of Super-Heroes story in the original “Adventure Comics”.  I have been a fan ever since.  Sure some of the years were not as good as others, but the Legion always kept my interest.  The only time I quit reading was after Paul Levitz left and Keith Giffin did the “5 Years Later” storyline.  At some point I am going to go back and try reading it again.  The current Legion book has not been as good.  Luckily, Abnett and Lanning are giving me the “Hypernaturals”.  Some of the same basic concepts fill this book.  The team consists of a large group of heroes in the far future.  When the current team disappears, a mix of retired heroes and ones who are not ready have to fill the void.  The science fiction concepts fill this fully realized future series.  It is one of my current favorites. 

Heroes for Hire #3

Writers:  Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning
Penciler:  Brad Walker
Inker:  Andrew Hennessy

This continues the storyline that began in issue one.  Misty (Control) Knight hires various heroes to complete part of a mission.  She is the only one who knows the overall nature of the mission.  Paladin, a long time favorite of mine since he first appeared in Daredevil, is on retainer.  When Misty calls him, he tells her he is on another case.  We see that he is spying on numerous friends of Misty's.  This leads to a showdown with Iron Fist.


Adnett and Lanning have written a story that is technically good but does not really advance the main plotline.  At this point I was expecting to learn more about the story.  As a reader, you could have skipped issues two and three and not missed a beat.  Hopefully issue four does more to advance the story.


Walker's art is inconsistent.  Some of the pages look okay, others are very weak.  The inking of Andrew Hennessey does a good job of smoothing out some of the problems with the art.  

The most dramatic page was the one where Moon Knight opens the door, letting loose something that has been captured and brought to the city.  I won't reveal what it is.  Let's just say that the smuggling ring is bigger than it seemed at first.


Skip this issue and see if it picks up next time.


2 out of 5 stars.