The Victories: Transhuman #1 Written by Michael Avon Oeming Illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming Colored by Nick Filardi Lettered by Aaron Walker Cover by Michael Avon Oeming and Nick Filardi Dark Horse Comics Release Date: May 1, 2013 Cover Price: $3.99

In early February, Geeks of Dooms very own Henchman21 covered the news that Michael Avon Oeming was working on an ongoing series for Dark Horse called The Victories, based on a superhero team he had created in 2012 for a mini-series of the same name. The article also includes an interview with Oeming conducted by Henchman21 giving us inside details about what to expect from the foul-mouthed heroes introduced the year prior. The Victories: Transhuman #1 is the first of a five-part storyline within the new series and its already shaping up to be a bold undertaking, fiercely dismantling the archetypal superhero conventions.

The power is out. Electricity has been turned off leaving the world in a perpetual state of darkness. As confusion and panic set in and villains become unsure of what else to do, they continue to rob banks in hopes that money will eventually have value again. Meanwhile, in an attempt to keep the peace and protect a fearful humanity during a time of uncertainty, a small group of superheroesSai Faustus, Lady Dragon, Sleeper, D.D. Mau, and their all-powerful leader, Metatronhave banded together to form a crime fighting team known as The Victories. Told from the perspective of D.D. Mau, we quickly learn that these are not your average superheroes; The Victories are crass, take-no-prisoners champions who are dealing with deeply rooted psychological and emotional issues that could literally make or break them. With other amassing threats on the rise, will the team be able to pull themselves together?

I am torn with this book. Oeming has created a compelling story with highly relatable and imperfect heroes and imaginative powers from both the good and bad guys. His art had me hooked as well. Bright colors for the heroes costumes blended excellently with dark shadows and gloomy colors to depict the contrast of hope and despair; however, there was way too much sexual innuendo and vulgarity for my liking. Im not saying that this was a deal breaker for me, but I did feel that it heavily distracted from the powerful story that I believe Oeming was trying to tell.

I really did enjoy the first issue of the The Victories ongoing series. I am definitely willing to give the second issue a chance. Perhaps if the story will be told from a different perspective in the next issue, it might not be as uncouth. I may not continue on with the series if this is not the case.

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Comic Review: The Victories: Transhuman #1 | Geeks of Doom