Seven Soldiers of Victory #0
DC Comics
Writer: Grant Morrison
Artist: J.H. Williams III
Colors: Dave Stewart
Price: $2.95

Rating: 4 stars ****

The mark of a truly good story is when the person reading the tale keeps going back to the front of the book to find the price and can?t believe what a bargain it is. That is how I felt the entire time I was reading Seven Soldiers of Victory #0. What an absolutely intelligent, thought-provoking, but seriously disturbed tale! Of all the things that I envisioned when I read previews of this ambitious project, I still wasn?t prepared for what went down in the pages of this introductory story. This is truly going to reset the bar for great story telling in the comic book genre.

Writer Grant Morrison has laid the groundwork to shift the way super hero tales are told. We know that his work on JLA and New X-Men have changed the way readers look at their favorite characters, and his work here is no exception. I like the fact that Morrison can be irreverent without being disrespectful. I think it is a fine art that not many have mastered, but that Morrison carries off with aplomb. As a reader who appreciates all the facets of Morrison?s storytelling, I have a great deal of respect for his range. He can make me rethink my reality with a book like The Invisibles but can go and write a damn fine JLA tale in the next breath.

His partner in crime in this opening salvo is J.H. Williams III. His work looks amazing here without benefit of another party inking him. The starkness and harshness of his line work has never been more polished. I get a feel from Williams that I also get from Frank Quietely. Williams understands Morrison and gels with him. It will be interesting to view other artist?s interpretations of Morrison?s vision, as Williams has set the bar high.

I love the fact that the characters in this issue are not necessarily the breakout stars of the Seven Soldiers saga. Giving the readers a chance to be indoctrinated into the mysticism and drama with a raw and new crew of heroes brings a breath of fresh air to an otherwise misinterpreted story. I especially enjoyed the point of view narration given by the new Whip, Shelly Gaynor. As she wonders if she will ever rise from the depths of enjoying a fetish to becoming a real super hero, the inherent horror is always there. Has she made the right decision, and is a moment of glory worth giving up a lifetime? These are questions that are answered all too well here.

The inclusion of original Seven Soldier Greg Saunders is a stroke of genius. As The Vigilante, he has always been a bit of an underdog, but one who leaves an impression. I remember reading the Seven Soldiers story that ran through issues #98 to 100 of the original Justice League of America series and thinking it was the coolest thing I had ever read. The Vigilante and his ?posse? were a big part of that. To see the mythos of the legendary team brought back to life makes it even more exciting for an old school reader like me.

I hate to use the description ?Vertigo? style, but there is an edge to Seven Soldiers that makes is feel unsafe and unfettered like a story I would read in DC?s Vertigo line. I like that there isn?t a safety net, and that Morrison has been given free rein to bring his vision to life. I also like the fact that the characters featured are given many layers of personality within the scope of a few pages. Few writers have the ability that Morrison does to draw a reader emotionally to a character with such few words.

If you were going to avoid Seven Soldiers because of money constraints, change your mind and grab a copy. If you disagree with my assessments, it only costs $2.95, but if you agree, it will be worth the time and three dollar bills it takes to wrap your mind around it. You don?t have to buy every issue associated with it, but you will have the opportunity to read great quality work.

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