Man, I really don’t know where to start with this one – and that is a good thing!
I don’t want to overhype this book in the second sentence of this column, but Jenny Sparks #1 might be one of my top 5 best comics of 2024. By the time I got to page five I was completely taken aback by just how good this issue was.
If you, like so many reading this right now, are going “yeah, but who is Jenny Sparks?” don’t worry, this issue gets you captivated and caught up with the character within a few pages. She’s a character from the Authority (the same super-team that will be having a movie coming out soon….) and this series serves as a welcome into the larger DC Universe for her. And if you do know her from the Authority and are saying “isn’t she dead?” I really, really, REALLY think that you need to pick this book up to find out just what the heck is going on here!
The best elevator pitch for this series is Jenny Sparks is who you call when a Justice League level hero goes rogue. Captain Atom - a massively nuclear powered hero - has broken away from humanity and is having an emotional breakdown… just with nuclear powers involved! Atom is threatening innocent people, so Batman tasks Sparks with stopping Atom. If only it were that easy. I won’t give any more away, but I can say this book did not go where I thought it was headed.
Tom King should be no stranger to DC readers with his now massive back catalog of titles (King even has his own graphic novel section here at the shop *hint hint) and with this first issue he masterfully commands the comic medium in ways similar to his previous titles like “Human Target” and “Mister Miracle”. King is aided with this captivating narrative by Jeff Spokes. Spokes is a perfect fit for this title; he clearly understands the narrative flow between the panels and delivers flawlessly here. Spokes’ crafts characters who are flawed heroes who are clearly going through a lot. Spokes’ depiction of Captain Atom’s breakdown may be the big highlight of the book. Clayton Cowles’ letters flow from panel-to-panel to just put the finishing touches on this commanding narrative. Altogether, this is an all-star creative team on this series where each one complements the other’s work.
This is a little bit shorter of a Lighthouse this week, but that is just because I don’t want to spoil a single moment of this issue. This is one of those wonderful single issues of a comic that are best experienced by you so that you can see just what I am talking about when I say this is one of the best books that I have read this year. This comes with the highest recommendations.
If you love Tom King, pick this book up. If you love tragic characters, pick this book up. If you love stunning artwork, pick this book up.
If you love comics, PICK THIS BOOK UP!
Jenny Sparks #1 (of 7) goes on sale this Wednesday here at the shop.
Save the world, read comics!
Tripper
Create an Account
Sign In
