About Heroes

Oh indie titles..... I love you most of all. Recently Dark Horse put out a title called The Secret. Mike Richardson writes this tale quite well and is further complimented by Jason Shawn Alexander's artwork, which rivals Ben Templesmith's and Ashley Wood's works to an extent. Mike Richardson, for those that may not know, is for all intents and purposes Dark Horse Comics, Dark Horse is him. Now I know what your thinking, dude he's a publisher he probably sucks at writing, to which I say, SHUT IT!, it's good.

The Secret starts off with Tommy, a high school kid rushing to a party. After arriving, Tommy finds everybody downstairs phone pranking random numbers. Each person calls a random number saying I KNOW YOUR SECRET, and then designates a time and place to meet them. You can kinda see where it's gonna go from here. Tommy's "love interest", Pam, ends up being the last call....and let's just say she pranks the wrong hombre. Both Pam & Tommy make out awhile after the semi-disturbing call though and all is forgotten. Later on, for kicks, they all go out to the designated meet point and well...yeah said bad-assed mamma-jamma comes walking up. Hiding in the bushes Tommy and the others see the ominous figure standing, waiting, and then, after a moment, walking off. Pretty much the next day things keep going downhill. I don't wanna spoil the title, so I'll just leave it at that.

I liked the writing, I don't know how else to put it. Richardson writes a moderately fast paced somewhat entrancing story that you end up finishing too quickly. The characterization of Tommy thus far is a little typical but, the semi-loner/outsider who is neither cool nor really fits in, come on, who didn't feel like that in high school at least once. The "ominous hombre" I'll call him, though having little character development this early on, has enough depth to make you keep reading. If I had to sum up Richardson's writing simply I'd say it's like reading a fairly good horror movie.

The art...ohhh the art. I don't know who Jason Shawn Alexander is, or where he came from but the guy needs to put more stuff out there. Alexanders' style through this first issue set the tone for the whole story, no doubt about it. Dark and a little edgy. Alexander follows in the trend of artist Ashley Wood, depicting a dark realism to everything, and still having colors be vibrant and yet subdued, a sort of ashey (mind the pun) feeling. Elements of Templesmiths' chaotic/sharp style can also be felt a little, throughout the different panels. It's the "Silent Hill" feel I guess, is the most succinct way to explain it.

In short, I found this title to be both entertaining and inventive. While I don't wanna make any big judgements, like GO OUT AND BUY THIS!, I will say try it out, and see how it flies. B+