C.O.W.L. #4 – Review

By: Kyle Higgins & Alec Siegel (writers), Rod Reis & Stéphanie Perger (art)

The Story: Blaze tries to keep the peace as a strike leaves Chicago’s superhero union feeling a little less united.

The Review: It feels like Alec Siegel and Kyle Higgins are reading my mind. After an amazing spotlight on Radia, they’ve immediately turned to the other contender for most interesting character and given us an issue heavily featuring Blaze.

To many the common denominator between these two might be their lack of privilege, but I think it’s better to look at them as unknowns. Radia’s key role in the destruction of the Chicago Six and the dramatically illustrated, but as of yet completely unsubstantiated, rumor that she and Geoffrey Warner are having an affair made her low profile in issue #2 stick out quite noticeably. On the other hand, Blaze is the deputy chief of C.O.W.L. but was one of the only characters we didn’t get to know in the first three issues. Add to that the fact that we had no idea how these characters responded to the times, with the zenith of the Civil Rights Movement swiftly approaching, and it’s no wonder that there was something of an air of mystery about them.

Thankfully this issue largely rectifies this situation. We learn a lot about who Blaze is: his background, his family, what weighs on him. More than ever the dossier at the back of the issue is essential and fascinating. Especially with the context contained in his bio, Blaze’s home life is particularly interesting. Here we’re introduced to two more instantly likeable characters in the form of Blaze’s nephew, Henry, and his sister-in-law, Anita. The resulting family dynamic is strange, personal, but still familiar. Blaze’s life seems good. He has people who love him and many who depend upon him. Still, Higgins and Siegel do a fine job of planting seeds of discord without making Blaze look bitter or suggestible.

Honestly, one of the strongest attributes of C.O.W.L. is that sense of discovery. With the series settled into a nice rhythm, the writers have given us enough to feel comfortable, but we’re still actively learning more about this alternate Chicago. Perhaps that’s why one completely reasonable twist grates so, as John Pierce’s investigation seemingly hits a wall. Of course, not all mysteries end in conspiracy, but it was such a fun one that it seems a shame to let it go. Then again, it’s possible that Geoffrey Warner, the head of C.O.W.L., is lying.

C.O.W.L. #3 – Review

By: Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel (writers), Rod Reis (art)

The Story: Never cross a picket line or an underappreciated woman.

The Review: Radia is a very different member of C.O.W.L. From the first scene of the series, it’s been clear that Kathryn’s power set is distinct from her partners’. In a world of photon guns and energy blasts, Radia’s telekinesis is a powerful and nuanced ability. Ever since she ended the Chicago Six, she’s been the character to watch, in my eyes.

Oh, and she’s the tactical division’s only woman. In fact, she’s the only woman we’ve seen within the league.

If there’s been a weakness in C.O.W.L. so far, it’s probably been that the world feels a little too big for this format. There are so many characters and the pace is, if not decompressed, measured. Engrossing as the series has been, there’s been a gnawing anticipation for the moment when we get the chance to really meet these characters. That’s what makes this issue’s spotlight on Radia so satisfying.

Higgins and Siegel’s dialogue has a natural pop to it, the kind that usually marks good TV. Each line knows just how long it can hold your attention and conveys crucial information without ever feeling like exposition. Admittedly, some readers will probably roll their eyes at the obliviousness of some characters’ ignorance, but I expect if you actually ask a woman’s opinion, they’ll feel that it’s far more true to life than you expect. And, of course, this is the early 60s, so magnify that a couple times.

C.O.W.L. #2 – Review

By: Kyle Higgins & Alex Siegel (story), Rod Reis (art)

The Story: I gotta agree with Karl: kid’s kind of an asshole…

The Review: C.O.W.L. #2 is something of a leisurely read. There’s a light film of ‘things are ok’ even when they’re not on every page and panel and action of the book. In many ways the sensation of reading the issue feels like a representation of the book’s content.

With Skylancer dead, C.O.W.L.’s mission is technically over. Though Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel keep the plot moving, it doesn’t feel like we’re embarking on a new adventure yet. That nostalgic feeling of conformist, post-war celebration is present and the story is alluringly comfortable. You can almost feel the characters’ desire to let go and trust that everything is going right.

While it’s an impressively atmospheric issue, that easy flow makes the issue a little light on plot. Though two of the three major plotlines in this issue seem to connect, we’re still getting to know the members of C.O.W.L. This could be a problem if it weren’t for the excellent character work in this issue. Admittedly, we don’t see anything revolutionary in this issue but the details, minute as they might be, convey a lot of character.

Geoffrey Warner remains an enigma, one you can hate to love or vice versa, but we get to know two of the unpowered C.O.W.L. operatives, Grant Marlow and John Pierce, quite a bit better this month. Pierce is definitely looking to be the star of this series, if one can say it has one. There’s something about the pragmatic way that he goes about being an idealist that makes him instantly endearing, perhaps especially to readers of superhero comics, who inherently want to believe in the value of heroism.

C.O.W.L. #1 – Review

By: Kyle Higgins & Alec Siegel (story), Rod Reis (art)

The Story: We’re witnessing the end of an era, the only question is: which one?

The Review: I first encountered C.O.W.L. at last year’s New York Comic Con and right away I was kind of hooked. I’ve been waiting all year to get a look at Kyle Higgins’ first creator-owned project but, if you’re like me, the results may still surprise you.

Beautifully illustrated superhero union story is a great elevator pitch but, while C.O.W.L.’s status as a recognized labor union plays a large part in the story, fans of traditional superheroics will not be disappointed. We hear mentions of impending contract negotiations and see the writing on the wall when Grey Raven brags that C.O.W.L. has essentially eliminated supercrime from Chicago, but C.O.W.L. is less an image of a liberal dream or a humorous look at the bureaucracy of unionization than moody superhero period piece.

There’s not one primary character in this story, though some obviously stand out; the union itself is our protagonist. Admittedly, we meet the Tactical Division, the A-Listers to all appearances, the desk jockeys, and the patrolmen on the west side, but as a map at the issue’s start implies, this may be merely a small fraction of the organization. Truly it’s an ensemble cast. Standouts include Geoffrey Warner, the Grey Raven, the manipulative head of C.O.W.L., Kathryn Mitchell, codename Radia, a powerful heroine who’s accomplishments are overshadowed by rumors of her affair with Warner; and John Pierce, a member of the union’s investigations division who resents the political turn heroism has taken. Of course, it’s worth noting that many of the characters don’t get enough time to truly endear themselves to the audience, but at this rate they all could be complex and fascinating characters.