The Intimates #1 Review

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Reviewer: Mathan “huh?” Erhardt
Story Title: N/A

Written by: Joe Casey
Penciled by: Giuseppe Camuncoli & Jim Lee
Inked by: Sandra Hope
Colored by: Randy Mayor
Lettered by: Richard Starkings & Rod Steen
Editor: Ben Abernathy
Published by: Wildstorm/DC Comics

The Intimates is a book about a group of students at The Seminary. The Seminary is a school where young adults with powers and abilities learn how to be heroes. The students that the book focuses on are Punchy, a kid who’s power manifests itself through a hand puppet; The Duke, who sports body armor; Empty Vee, who can become invisible; Sykes, a guy with mental powers; and Destra, a girl who has explosive fingernails.

Their instructors include Miss Klanbaid, whose powers are unknown, Mr. Hyde formerly known as Commander Presence, Professor Bentley formerly the hero Radical Bill, and Miss M who used to be Morning Glory, Sgt. Stomp and Mr. Green. Mr. Dashett, a hero with super speed, haunted by tragedy, is their guidance counselor.

The issue follows their first day of classes at the Seminary. We get a glimpse into The Duke’s home life. We see the controversy a comic book can cause. It ends with the introduction of transfer student Kefong.

Casey has quite a cast of characters. They are all intriguing, and we learn enough about most of them in this first issue to have a general idea about them. The instructors particularly seem interesting. I dig the idea of a Secret I.D. 101. However all of the “pop ups” and factoids are kind of annoying and distracting. And there isn’t too much of a story here.

Camuncoli has a great look. This book is vibrant and fun. It’s layout and design are spectacular. The book has a very distinct visual style that’s infectious. Which is all the more disappointing that the factoids at the bottom of nearly every page detracts from it.