Chaos War: Alpha Flight #1

 
  Writer: Jim McCann
  Artists: Reilly Brown, Terry Pallot
  Color: Val Staples
  Cover: Salva Espin, Victor Olazaba
  Letterer: Dave Sharpe (he definately is not dull)
 
       We are back and im bringing a personal issue of mine i felt that had to be reviewed. i was a follower of volume 1 Alpha Flight and was super happy to hear about the group getting its own issue in this mini marvel event. having my doubts with first look at the cover we will explore this issue and find if it is worth the pick up.
 

The Story

      To give a brief story on the group. Department H of the canadian government was dedicated to the super human community this also with super powered folks and vigilantes in the united states with powers. James MacDonald Hudson an engineer created a power suit and it was to be used as a weapon but decided to use it himself. He would be approached by the government to create a team in order to help defend Canada if not the world from threats that could pose danger to its countries people. After assembling this team the have had ups and downs with loses and returns of members. however the team suffered a huge lose at the hands of michael pointer and the power of the collective when many of the members of Alpha Flight were killed in action when trying to stop him from moving into the US.
 
     Things have been getting bleak for the marvel universe. as the pantheon of gods in the universe are being killed off one by one in their own realms that exist and the planes that they live in. this too does not exclude the gods that have influence in the north in that large territory over the united states and before Alaska. The realms are under attack from the Chaos King. 
 
    A deal is struck with several demons who wish to live and might have a chance to defeat the Chaos King and return him from where he came from. the deal is reluctantly made but in return the few members of Alpha Flight have been reunited again to battle the evil of the chaos king. 
 
   This story is so full of emotion with old friends being brought back together and you knew that this feeling could only last so long until the battle began. Jim McCann did a great job with this story. because it was not about the rest of the marvel universe this was about a team that was torn apart and for this instance are brought back together whose powers can somewhat rival the gods themselves. 
 
    Jim McCann almost had me at a tear at the end of this story though i will not spoil it but its hard to do get me that emotional for a comic story. it was involving and did not break continuity. this was a good tribute to the team and can not wait for them to work with the other survivors in Chaos War #5. i have to give the story a 4.9 out of 5.

Pretty Colours

  

Now getting into the art is something i like to touch on, and it is not the art being the problem its the lack of characters but it was understandable. though i could say it was story i could blame it on. but since it is referring to not seeing specific characters such as puck, or talisman, and few others that i was disappointed in. 
 
   That being said. i found that the art was well done. i found there was quite a bit of creative detail put into the realms themselves, character designs remind me of classic 80's style design. which is great. the whole art gives me a sense of nostalgia but in a way a feeling of something new. 
 
   In the end the art really makes the gang feel almost whole again with the exception of a few missing characters. the colors are done really well and bring back those characters as if they just stepped out of the 80's bryne style. the art really flowed well with the story and for that i give this a 4 out of 5. 

Overall Thought

    Story and book: This book was a great tribute to one of the cult groups in the marvel universe. the character dynamics and relations between all the characters were much that during the bryne version from the 80's. the story was solid but left me wanting more at the end. which is sad cause i may have to wait till january to get to see them again. 
 
    Art and Characters: The characters were well done with Reilly brown at the helm he did an amazing job recreating the original works of bryne with his own twist to make them look modern. i was a fan of this. the colors were great and fit well into the story.
 
   overall though i want to give a super high mark i also want to take off like 2 and a half stars for knowing that this return may not last at all. this issue was full of passion and hard work in its story telling and art. and i can not just throw that aside so i have to give this book a 4.5 out of 5. 
 
   What the Deal: is this a pick up or a borrow? for fans and readers of Alpha Flight this is a must pick up. Jim McCann who worked on Hawkeye and Mockingbird series put love into this book despite wanting more issue. for those who never heard of alpha flight i would be relctant to pick this up. this book is more dedicated to the cult fans of this series and was very well done. as for a tie in to the chaos war i would expect to see Alpha Flight making a huge role in issue 5.