There have been different characters in the DC Universe that have gone by the name 'The Ray,' but here's your chance to meet the latest in his very first appearance.
The Good
When I heard Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti were doing a miniseries for The Ray, I immediately thought of the THE RAY from 1994. I was a little saddened when I discovered this would feature yet another Ray. Because Gray and Palmiotti were involved along with Jamal Igle's art, there was enough of a reason to check this series out.
This first issue is an origin issue, plain and simple. The slight tongue in cheek mention that we'd be getting the origin for this new character made me a little nervous. Origin stories often get bogged down with the specifics of how the character got their powers and there the action is put in the backseat. Since this is a completely new character, you can't argue the need for an origin. The great thing is, the origin is an enjoyable one and there is plenty of action.
There's something about Lucien Gates that makes him a likable character from the beginning. I can't quite place my finger on what specifically it is about him that is appealing. We get to see how he gets his powers and how he tries to control them. Luckily he isn't alone in dealing with this and has some supporting characters that help him along the way.
It's always interesting to see how a new character fits into the existing DC Universe. Being based in San Diego gives him a little bit of separation from the other heroes but there is mention of a couple that made perfect sense.
It's great to see Jamal Igle's pencils once again. He does a great job on giving the locations a distinct feel from the other locales in the DCU. He also does an amazing job in expressing the emotions and reactions of the characters and it really helps move the story along.
The Bad
This isn't the Ray I was looking for but that's not really a complaint. Lucien manages to gain a decent amount of control over his powers pretty quickly. There is mention that not only does his body move at the speed of light but his brain can as well. That means he is able to figure it out without much of a problem. It's good considering this is a four-issue miniseries but a tiny bit too easy.
Lucien and his parents also feel too accepting of the powers. The reason his parents are okay with it makes sense given their context but there could be ramifications in gaining these powers. While I wouldn't want to see the series dwelling on how his powers work and the science behind them, there should be a little more follow up with the cause of the powers.
The idea on how Lucien's costume will work is interesting. It might be that I still have the previous Rays' design on my mind but I haven't quite warmed up to his costumed look.
I'm really not sure how I feel about the main villain that pops up here. I'm definitely going to reserve judgement until the next issue.
The Verdict
Introducing a new character to an existing comic universe can be a risky move. The fact that we're still in the early stages of 'The New 52' makes it even riskier as we're trying to get to know the existing heroes once again. Gray and Palmiotti do a great job in creating a likable new young hero that doesn't have all the typical clichés you normally see with the teen heroes. Some parts move a little fast as this new Ray quickly becomes comfortable with controlling his powers but because it's a four-issue miniseries, the need for that fast pace makes sense. Jamal Igle's pencils are welcome and we get a good mix in locations and looks for the characters along with great variation in the facial expressions on them. Bravo to Gray, Palmiotti and Igle in creating a new character in the DC Universe. I can't wait to see what happens next.