Comic Review: Incarnate #1

Incarnate #1

Creator and Writer: Nick Simmons
Penciler: Nick Simmons
Inker: Matt Dalton
Colorist: Brian Buccellato
Assistan Artists: Nam Kim, Ben Harvey, and Shi Hua Wang
Letterer: Rob Steen
Publisher: Radical Publishing
Cover Price: $4.99

One of the great things about comics today is that villains are becoming lead characters in their own books. No longer are they supporting punching bags for the hero protagonists. They have become their protagonists in their own right. It was tried a few times in the past...Marvel's Super-Villain Team-Up (1975) which lasted only 17 issues and DC's Secret Society of Super-Villains (1976) which lasted 15 issues. They didn't seem to last very long. Throw in Marvel's Tomb of Dracula (1972) and Suicide Squad (1987) from DC and finally you have evidence that villains could be lead characters, except these two don't quite fit the bill. Tomb of Dracula often focused more on the Drac hunters than Drac himself, and it helped that the comics code relaxed its regulations in 1971 allowing Drac to get his own mag. Suicide Squad, which consisted mainly of villains, was pretty much blackmailed into fighting the good fight, but the deathtoll and dark tone made it a unique title even in the late 80s. But now villains seem to be center stage, which I feel is where they should be.

Enter Radical Publishing's Incarnate. I'm going to tell you now, I'm not sure for whom I shouold be rooting. Incarnate #1 follows Mot on a bloody path to reunite with an acquaintence, Connor. There's a lot of blood in the first few pages. It's not really explained what Mot and Connor are. They have sharp teeth and claws and eat humans. They can be hurt, but heal quickly, and Mot had been gone "a few decades" and was "never coming back." But Mot says, "There's something disturbing...no...exciting happening in this city."

Mot and Conner go meet another like them, Ripley, in what he calls, "my clubhouse of forgotten gods." Ripley says that the humans know they exist and have come up with a way to hurt them. Mot finds the notion hysterical...until the mysterious Vincent arrives proving Ripley's fears.

Incarnate is a fast paced, bloody mystery. What are Mot, Connor, Ripley and the other "forgotten gods"? Who is Vincent? What's going on? Add a sprinkling of humor, and Incarnate, you will find, is a fun read.

My only complaint, except the heavy exposition at the beginning of this issue, is the art. It looks fine, but it's a taste thing. I don't like Manga style art. But as important the art is to a comic, my draw has always been to the story, and this one has me intrigued.

Incarnate #1 comes out this week, August 5th. Be sure to pick it up.