Comic Review: Catalyst Comix #2
Posted By Leo Johnson on August 6, 2013
Something of a mini-anthology in its own right, Catalyst Comix is a relaunch of past Dark Horse superheroes, as part of their relaunched superhero line. With Joe Casey writing each story and the artistic abilities of Dan McCaid, Paul Maybury, and Ulises Farinas, the reader is treated to three tales in the pages of Catalyst Comix.
Catalyst Comix #2
The first story, The Ballad of Frank Wells, follows hero Frank Wells as he must come to terms with how his life is and he can possibly break out of it. Amazing Grace follows the titular heroine as she lies comatose in a hospital bed and the city which she protects must prepare for life without her. In the final story, Agents of Change, various heroes get together for a group therapy session before they’re shown to be prepared for the next stage of evolution.
Catalyst Comix #2
Joe Casey takes three different stories, but writes them in a way that makes them flow and feel cohesive as an anthology. The Frank Wells story is particularly interesting, as it shows a hero who has powers beyond imagine, but still sleeps in an abandoned, disheveled apartment. It paints the mighty hero as something grimy and real, but then has the sort of sci-fi/metaphysical aspect come into play later in the story. Each story had strong sci-fi concepts, which gives it a feel very distinct from most any other superhero book.
Catalyst Comix #2
The art variously from McCaid, Maybury, and Farinas stayed stylistically similar enough to not be jarring as the stories changed, but was still divergent enough that it was clear that each story was a separate entity. The real hero of the book had to be Brad Simpson and his colors, though. The colors really helped to set the tone of each story, especially shining in the supernatural/cosmic portions.
All in all, this is an anthology done properly. It’s nice to note also that the stories aren’t one-and-done, but rather continuing stories meant to be read over the course of months. It’s a great mix of superhero, sci-fi, and more as it paints a fairly unique portrait of superhero life and struggles.
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