Idolized #1

With this post we’re starting up a new feature here at cosmiccomix.com. It’s a column devoted to a single comic book from the week that we think deserves special mention. Maybe it took us by surprise or had an unbelievable last page or was just straight-up so good that we had to tell you about it! And whatever comic it is might not have gotten any previous play on the website, so we wanted to give it a special shout-out. And in all cases we’ll be ordering more copies of these comics for the store so you can check them out, too. Not exactly sure what to call this new column just yet, but I’m leaning toward Single-Issue Surprise or Single-Issue Stunner or something like that. Let us know what you think! – Andy B.

My inaugural pick for this excellent new endeavor is IDOLIZED #1 from Aspen Entertainment. (Shawn actually reviewed it last week, but I was still on vacation then, and anything that happened on the website while I was on vacation doesn’t count!) But before I even get into the comic, I have to mention the cover, which is a sweet little number from the legendary Art Adams. Hot stuff! Okay, now about the comic.

The basic outline of plot is just as Shawn described it: "Leslie is going on Superhero Idol, but she is doing it with a secret. Years ago her parents were killed during a superhuman fight and she blames herself. She is telling everyone judging her that she is there for redemption; however, she is really there for revenge. The winner of Superhero Idol gets to join the world’s premiere superhero team, a team that faces the man she blames for her parents’ deaths quite often. She’s trying to win a superhero competition to do something that is very anti-heroic."

There were two things I really liked about this issue. First, I liked how readable it was. The writing and art combined to create a pace that told the girl’s story perfectly, without feeling either too rushed or too slow. You’re taken into the world of the reality competition show and the conversation and way her back story were presented felt very natural to me. Second, I liked how open it was left at the ending. Sure, this is Leslie’s story. But, as Shawn mentioned, at the very end of the issue are biographies of all the other competitors of Superhero Idol, along with the current odds on them winning the competition. SPOILER ALERT: Leslie’s not the favorite to win!

Finally, I do have to mention that inside the front cover it says, "Don’t Stop Deceiving," a solid pun on the classic Journey song. But what does it mean? Is our protagonist a liar, liar pants on fire? I guess we’ll have to find out!

It all adds up to a thoroughly enjoyable comic book and a fine pick for our very first… whatever we’re going to call this column.

- Andy B.