The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 – Alex Segura, Writer; Cian Tormey, Artist; Romulo Fajardo Jr, Colorist
Ray – 9.5/10
Ray: It’s been a long time since Renee Montoya had a big solo spotlight as The Question, as the complex former GCPD officer has been spending the last few years as Commissioner – a role that tested her morals and put her through the wringer. Being fired for Vandal Savage almost seemed like a relief, but now she’s moving from the frying pan into the biggest fire imaginable – taking on a role as security chief for the Justice League’s new watchtower. This is a fascinating upgrade for the character, one she’s only convinced to take by Superman himself. This story is penned by Alex Segura, an acclaimed crime novelist, and he does a great job of fusing the mentality of a noir protagonist with the bright and sci-fi tone of the series. Renee is going to be working with a security team led by both Blue Beetles, Animal Man, and her ex – Batwoman, who she still has a lot of unresolved tension with.
It’s a great setup, and there’s a great mystery at its core. The Watchtower is the most secure site in the world – so who’s trying to break into it? A mysterious hacker is undermining the security, and that manifests in the form of Conduit breaking in and attacking the heroes. The C-list villain is neutralized – but there’s just one problem. He talks like a robot, not like Superman’s old high-school rival, and the real Kenny Braverman is locked up safely in the Watchtower’s prison. This leads to a deeper mystery – and a shocking murder that ends the issue. There is a lot going on here, and it could be too much in lesser hands, but Segura and artist Cian Tormey do an amazing job of creating a massive world here – one that challenges Montoya’s detective skills in a way we rarely see. This is a great example of how to fuse the grittier corners of the DCU with its more fantastical stories.
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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
