Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: The First Casualty
Written by: Ty Templeton
Penciled by: Clement Sauve Jr.
Inked by: Juan Vlasco
Colored by: Moose Baumann
Lettered by: Jack Morelli
Editor: Dan Raspler
Publisher: DC Comics
Since its initial solicitation three months ago, I was pretty anxious to see what HUMAN DEFENSE CORPS was going to be about exactly. It’s part G.I. Joe, part Colonial Space Marines (from Aliens), but set firmly in the DC Universe. I like the concept of focusing on a group of non-powered individuals, in a military setting, fighting off the far to frequent alien invasions of Earth.
The story is told as the first person narrative of Montgomery Kelly, a former National Guardsman who is one of the first inducted into the elite Human Defense Corps. Kelly recounts a time as a Guardsman when he helped repel Khund invaders; he brings to light the terrible statistic that 1 in 3 soldiers froze. This ultimate unreliability made these guys bad soldiers, and a danger to serve with. Since only soldiers who served in campaigns against alien aggressors can be a part of the Corps, Kelly reasoned this would be the place to serve. Of course Kelly is wrong.
The story moves briskly and the dialogue is good, if a touch derivative. Templeton does nice work showing the beginnings of the Corps. While most of the guys have little to do, it isn’t a problem since the story focuses on Kelly’s account, but more so it’s about the human condition. The inclusion of Lois Lane, who is present to interview members of the Corps prior to their first mission, adds some familiarity to the proceedings and gives the soldiers the requisite time in any war story to spout bravado.
The art team of Sauve Jr. and Vlasco do an outstanding job giving each member of the Corps a little identity. The abundant military vehicles and weaponry are well rendered; badly rendered soldiers are a pet peeve of mine. The character design on the villains, bone white bat-like vampires, is fresh while maintaining an archetypal look. I especially liked the cheesy recruiting posters that poke some fun at recruiting propaganda. All said a very solid issue artistically. I hope these guys will be together for the entire six-issue mini series.
The idea that this series isn’t going to be all action, blood, and guts should set it apart from a lot of other books. I especially like the idea that the Corps saved the day without any super hero intervention. This was the major failing with the first arc of GOTHAM CENTRAL, and a reason why I dropped that book. The art appears like it will be good throughout, so if Templeton continues to put story ahead of mindless action this can be a truly memorable series.
