While some publishers might be content putting out reprints or preview books for Free Comic Book Day, Oni Press took it a step further with The Strangers. The issue that was released this past Saturday was not simply a preview of the upcoming series – it’s the full first issue to it. Even if it wasn’t free, The Strangers is still well worth a read.
Written by Chris Roberson, with art by Scott Kowalchuk and Dan Jackson, The Strangers is about a trio of spies, operating in America in the 1960s, who happen to have special abilities. There’s Michael Kono, who can interface and disrupt machinery; Verity Mills, a character with undefined speed-based abilities; and Sandoval, a mountain of a man, super-strong and impervious to harm. The trio takes orders from Absalom Quince, and often square off against an organization called O.C.C.U.L.T.
Roberson’s script for The Strangers is a wonderful homage to the ’60s pop culture in which it is set. No explanation is given for how the characters came into their abilities – presumably that’ll come later – but that they work for Quince, a man in a wheelchair, is a clear nod to both the X-Men and the Doom Patrol. There’s a Mission: Impossible vibe to the story as well, as the team receives their orders from Quince and then splits up to execute their individual assignments. O.C.C.U.L.T., an international terrorist organization, mirrors SPECTRE from the James Bond novels and films. It’ll be great to see how Roberson and company incorporate more elements as the series progresses.
Aside from the ‘60s-esque story elements, the art by Kowalchuk and Jackson does a great job evoking the era. The clothing and set decoration that Kowalchuk incorporates are spot-on for the time period. Michael sports a turtle-neck under his sport jacket, while Verity’s hair style is reminiscent of Romita’s Gwen Stacy. Jackson’s colors, bright and primary and Technicolor, help bring it all to life.
A fun concept, a stellar script by Roberson, and art to match from Kowalchuk and Jackson make The Strangers a supremely entertaining comic. As a regular Wednesday release, this book would definitely deserve a look; as a Free Comic Book Day offering, there’s no reason to miss it, and anyone who tracks it down will be glad they didn’t.
