DAMAGE #1 Breaks Free From the Chains of Expectation

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Submitted by S.J. Mitchell on Fri, 01/19/2018 - 08:08

Starting off with unknown voices and shackled wrists, DAMAGE #1 breaks free from the chains of whats expected from a powerhouse rage monster.

Without being provided with too much backstory, DAMAGE #1 gives us insight into the major players with a few hints at the story which will develop in later issues. It's easy to look at this book on the surface and assume DC is ripping off its marvelous rival, in an attempt to have their own character whose strength comes from rage.

Throw those thoughts in the trash, because it's so much more than that.

Damage is an experiment gone wrong, yes, but it's not self-inflicted from what we can tell. And when activated, 'Damage' lasts for an hour, before having to go through a 23 hour recuperation period that leaves its host in a weakened state. This provides for some very good storytelling because the main character, Ethan Avery, can only summon the monster once in a 24 hour period. Sure, he activated it so he could escape, but now he's on the run in a weakened state.

Timing is a key element going forward. Without the ability to just summon Damage at will, every use is a calculated risk. He not only has to fight his enemies...but also race against time.

While issue #1 doesn't tell the whole story, it plants the seeds needed for one to cultivate. We meet the players. We understand the situation. And we are treated with a surprise appearance at the end; called in to stop Damage. Suddenly there are three sides to this battle:

The good. The bad. And the ugly.

Storytellers Tony S. Daniel and Robert Venditti deliver an action packed first issue. Not a single panel is spared as it's clear that Daniel, Danny Miki, and Tomeu Morey put their hearts and souls into this book. Its rare when a creative team delivers a book with such cohesion that it feels they were meant for each other. This is one of those books and DC should be commended for assembling a group of all-stars. The art and story combine for an explosion of comic book greatness.

DAMAGE is not just a run-of-the-mill, muscle-bound, tank like we've seen in the past, so clear your mind of expectations and prepare yourself to be blown away.

Buy it. Read it. Bag and board it.

This one's a keeper.

Storytellers: Tony S. Daniel & Robert Venditti
Inker: Danny Miki
Colorist: Tomeu Morey
Letters: Tom Napolitano
Cover: Daniel, Miki and Morey
Associate Editor: Jessica Chen
Editor: Mike Cotton
DAMAGE created by Robert Venditti and Tony S. Daniel