Telepaths #1
I instantly got Resistance vibes when I started reading Telepaths #1. But things are a little different in J. Michael Straczynski’s newest AWA series. The biggest similarity is he’s building a new world where regular, everyday people are experiencing supernatural change they can’t explain.
AWA/Upshot Studios
Written by: J. Michael Straczynski
Art by: Steve Epting
Colors by: Brian Reber
In Telepaths #1, Straczynski takes some time to establish a few characters and tease what’s to come in this five-issue series. Then there’s a global event that rocks everyone — though it seems some were impacted in very different ways. Resistance, for those who haven’t read, is much later on in the process. And the issue that sparked the story was much more long-lasting than the event Earth experiences in Telepaths #1.
One seemingly little thing that stood out after the event was the way Straczynski portrayed two characters who have obtained powers. Based on their actions, they seem to have the same power. Yet, there’s a difference in how those powers are depicted.
As for the art, Steve Epting is always a great fit for stories that start in a very grounded place. Also, Brian Reber’s colors fit perfectly with his work. We’re dealing with real people who experience a bizarre event, so it’s no surprise the artist who drew TKO Studios’ Sara and Captain America: The Winter Soldier felt like a great fit for the start of Straczynski’s story.
Score: 8.5
Looking for more comic book content? Go check out the latest episode of Geeks WorldWide Radio‘s TLDR podcast, where Joseph Gilmore and Nick Friar discuss comics weekly and talk to creators from the industry — available on SoundCloud, Apple Podcasts and Spotify! And if you want to learn more about AWA Studios specifically, be sure to listen to TLDR‘s interview with AWA’s Chief Creative Officer, Axel Alonso — where he also talked about his time with Vertigo and Marvel Comics.