review by EdContradictory

The Loners! Ben Urich (the Green Goblin)! Michiko Musashi (Turbo)! Chris Powell (Darkhawk)! Julie Power (Lightspeed)! Johnny Gallo (Ricochet)! Brought together by fate and circumstance to help each other... give up being superheroes?

The Loners are a superhero support group/twelve-step program to help former teen heroes "kick the habit" and stop putting themselves and their loved ones at risk. Support groups for superheroes is an idea that has popped up a couple of times in the last few years. Zatanna was in such a group during her Seven Soldiers miniseries and even Superman was seeing a psychiatrist at one point. This is the first time I've seen the concept applied to the Marvel Universe and it really is something that lends itself very well to Marvel's angsty teen heroes. That is what the Loners are all, or were, for the most part, nineties teen heroes, many from the "what were they thinking?" part of the nineties. Their status as "relics" from the nineties gives their plight to give it all up a little extra pathos.

The break-out character from the first issue would seem to be Julie Power. Unlike the rest of the former teen heroes, Julie has had her powers since childhood and thus has had a harder time separating who she is from who her powers make her. As a long time Power Pack fan, it's great seeing one of the Power kids getting a higher profile in the Marvel Universe.

The problem for group leaders Ben and Michiko is that not everyone in the group seems ready to give it all up. But are they still putting on the tights because there's still good they can do, or is it just because they haven't hit rock bottom yet with their particular kind of "addiction"? Apparently the pull of the superhero-ing is so strong that quite a few characters don't even make it through the meeting before they're back on the street "one last time" taking down some M.G.H. dealers.

Loners is really good. Karl Moline's art is excellent as usual. He draws great, distinct characters, fantastic background details and perspective, and his action scenes are clear, dynamic, and fun. He and C.B. Cebulski work well together and the opening scene is particularly strong. I'm definitely on board to see where this series is going. And to see who else "falls off the wagon."

Interview with C.B. Cebulski



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