While Marvel readers first learned about Canada's superteam in the 1970s, Alpha Flight came into its own in the 1990s, with a stellar run exceeding 140 issues. Nations go on high alert following the Krakoan massacre in Hellfire Gala #1. Fed by misinformation by the Orchis organization, Canada's commissioned a new team of superhero defenders.
If you're not familiar with Alpha Flight, you're not alone. Nor does writer Ed Brisson make it easy to know these new characters. But he builds a fair amount of action into the new Alpha Flight #1 and supercharges the political environment with fear and division. It's a toxic mess of intolerance and racism that readers will find all too familiar.
Erica Doiron, the head of Canada's Department H, makes a good case. People who can teleport into a country, throw fire and lightning at people and buildings, and then leave without restrictions constitute a threat. The nation needs people of similar abilities to defend against individuals who can wield weapons of mass destruction.
Alpha Flight #1 gives you plenty to read. The issue features eye-pleasing art and color. Small, lowercase lettering may strain older readers' eyes. Fact pages provide background into a former team member currently on-the-run, and a leading biotech engineer who builds robotic prosthetics for people with disabilities. The latter also builds cool-looking robots to enhance Canada's security.
I can't say the debut wowed me, but I found aspects of it enjoyable. Still, many things I enjoy are less than wildly popular. So if you're hungry for a new superhero miniseries, try Alpha Flight #1.
Who knows? You might find your next favorite read!
Preview Alpha Flight #1 interior art at Comic Book Dispatch.
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