The Comedian

The first issue of Top Ten isn't the best, but it is one of the best first issues ever. Moore, Ha and Cannon gently ease us into the world of Neopolis via Robyn Slinger, AKA Toybox, who is starting her first day of Top 10, and as such, serves as character reflecting our point of view for this initial episode. Admirable is the fact that the creators do not waste time and page introducing characters. A few simple lines here, and Ha's illustrations there, tell us most of what we need to know about the characters. Ha's designs, both for the officers and the environs are astounding, with Neopolis having the feel of an almost Lang-esque utopia, laced with the slums of some of America's worst cities. Even more astounding is the unique sense of culture and style in the book. Books like Mighty Avengers undoubtedly take place in a world mich like our own. Neopolis, however, is very different from the real world. Young girls talk of wanting new 'prism-effect' capes, robots are bigoted and referred to insultingly as 'clickers'. Unique drugs, bestowing the effects of hyper-speed and mental hallucinations, provide big problems for our officers to deal with. Besides Ha's jaw-droppingly beautiful art, the highlight is, of course, Moore's excellent writing. Whilst the America's Best line was never received as well as it should have been, Moore still delivers some of his finest work, filling Neopolis with numerous little details and making sure each and every chracter has a unique voice. Nothing he writes here is played for shock value, unlike some modern books: For instance, take the final-pages reveal that Jack Phantom (My favourite Top 10 character, alongside Toy Box) is a lesbian - All it is is a simple, one panel reveal, over beers between her and Robyn Slinger. That's it. No fuss, no press releases, no ambiguous solicitations. Moore has been commended for his portrayal of Jackie, and the way in which he portrays her sexuality, largely because he doesn't do it to draw attention, like a petulant child (cough cough DC Comics and Batwoman cough cough), but instead, simply makes it part of her character. Moore and Ha give it their all, and they truly deliver. If you haven't read this already, be sure to pick it up, as well the Moore and Ha created 'Forty-Niners' graphic novel.