I never intended to pick up a copy of Team 7 #0. Once I found out it was about a covert team of human military types who were the “last defense” against superhumans, my interest waned – I am, after all, a superhero comics kinda guy who isn’t that interested in spy thriller, action adventure comics. But as fate would have it, when I went to my local comic shop on Wednesday to pick up my subscriptions, my friends behind the counter had put Team 7 #0 in my box along with my normal subscriptions. Instead of telling them that I never asked for Team 7, I figured why not step out of my box a little bit and try something new. Boy, am I glad I did!
Team 7 #0 is one of the best first issues I’ve ever read. From page one, Justin Jordan and artist Jesus Merino dragged me kicking and screaming into their world and they did not let go until the final page. The story was intriguing and paced at a frenetic, break-neck speed that gave the issue a truly edge-of-your-seat thriller feeling. The characters were interesting, and the dialogue – oh how I loved the dialogue! To me, the dialogue in Team 7 #0 made the issue because it added to the sense of urgency, made the characters stand out, and added to the overall sense of fun that pervaded this debut. This crisp, snap-back-and-forth dialogue rates up their with the inestimable talents of Peter J. Tomasi.
Team 7 #0 reminded me somewhat of old school Warren Ellis-era Stormwatch, but with less superpowers and more guns and armor. The issue basically serves as the origins of Team 7, a super covert team of the best assassins, Special Forces agents, and reformed criminals who are banded together by an enigmatic leader. Their sole purpose is to stand as the last line of defense in a world now rapidly filling up with superheroes – superhuman, alien, or otherwise – and their nemeses. Many of the cast of Team 7 will go on to be famous in their own right: Dinah Drake (later Dinah Lance) becomes the Black Canary; Slade Wilson becomes Deathstroke the Terminator; Cole Cash becomes Grifter; Amanda Waller becomes the leader of the Suicide Squad; and Steve Trevor becomes Wonder Woman’s lover and liason for the Justice League at some point. Part of the draw of Team 7 is getting to see these familiar characters start out somewhat unfamiliarly and grow into their namesakes.
I have to give mad props to Justin Jordan. Who is this guy, and where did he come from? This guy is an incredibly talented writer with an eye for the awesome and the action-packed and an ear for dialogue and character development. My jaw almost hit the floor when I finished the issue – it was that well-written and that enjoyable of a read. To say I liked it would be a regrettable understatement: I freaking loved this comic! I’m really excited to see where this series goes, and what Justin Jordan has in store for these characters. I would love to see a crossover between Team 7 and the New 52 Stormwatch (another series I quite enjoy) – I think there could be some awesome stories there. I also have to mention Jesus Merino – I love that guy’s art, and it complements Jordan’s writing perfectly. I especially loved the armored suits a few of the characters were wearing on the front cover – it made the fanboy in me giddy as it brought to mind a long-lost staple of my childhood: Captain Power and the Soliders of the Future. But I digress…
If you haven’t already picked up a copy of Team 7 #0, do yourself a favor and go do that now. You won’t regret it – it’s definitely one of the strongest debuts in DC Comics’ New 52 reboot, and definitely one of the most enjoyable first issues you’ll ever have the pleasure of reading.
Alright I’m intrigued…