Category Zero #2

This series just keeps getting better as we're drawn into the difficult decisions that have to be made concerning the one-percenters. Kimmel and Lima are a great comic book producing team and this series tackles some very mature situations. The series is not for the squeamish and it's an enjoyable read from start to finish. Read Full Review

Valiant Son

Aug 16, 2019

Still overly linear and unimaginative in storytelling terms. It also suffers from the ludicrous situation of one senator (unclear what kind of senator) unilaterally deciding to enact a secret law that allows compulsory testing of the entire population, and then the testing programme being underway on a massive scale in a matter of minutes (an hour or two at most). Oh, and this decision is taken in a meeting at "city hall"! I'm not sure whether Adem Kiamil is completely clueless, or just doesn't care. The problem with trying to make this realistic, is that you then have to more closely follow the rules and logistical practicalities of the real world. What Kiamil does in this issue is insist that his story is really adult and grounded, but th en treats events as if we are in a silver age superhero comic, where you can ignore the norms of the real world. This is just dumb, and completely ruins any tension. It is also achingly clear that Kiamil has read classic Chris Claremont X-Men stories, with ideas about mutant registration, and also Joshua Dysart's Harbingers, with the teenagers who have potential super powers. The problem is that he is nowhere near as good a writer as either of these two, and so his influences are blatant, without adding anything new. Oh dear. The more I think about it, the more irritated I am. This isn't good enough. I'll read the next issue, but my interest is waning. more