Ah Soldier Zero it has been awhile since I’ve read you. The reason why this issue caught my eye this week is this is the start of a new story arc for this series. Initially I had read it for the writing of Paul Cornell but sadly it got lost off my radar somewhere along the way. Now with the team of Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning I figure this is as good a time as any to take a new look at this title. The quick version of the plot of this series is Capt. Stewart Trautmann is a paraplegic who gets infused by an alien parasite that makes him Soldier Zero. He now regained his ability to walk as well as special powers as part of being infused with this alien parasite. As we start our story Soldier Zero/Stewart Trautmann got captured with his friends and brothers by a branch of the government that investigates aliens called CLOWNS. Now he’s on the run with his new friend Kaylee and trying to figure out what to do next. Now we’re onto the issue!
The way Abnett and Lanning start off this issue is one of the more organic ways to explain the series to a new reader. It’s just Kaylee and Stuart talking about his abilities and setting up the story for anyone just starting out. For she’s a nervous wreck and since she works for her campus radio station as a news runner she’s just firing off questions for a story. She asks a lot of questions when she’s scared so she’s just calming her nerves. Story development and also setting up the main story at the same time. I found it clever and I liked how they handled doing that explanation. Yes also Kaylee is a great character already to me and I’m hoping she’s part of the main cast since she’s just a lot of fun. The art is what also helps this scene since you have Javier Pina and Ramon Bachs working on this and her expressions are so lively. You literally feel like even if there wasn’t words you’d know what she was saying. Stewart is being cautious and keeping an eye out for their pursuers and that vibe is there in the artwork. For a good part of this issue is mostly talking and it flows wonderfully together.
The tension in the air is evident as the issue goes on. You know at any moment they could be caught though the tone is kept lively since Stuart and Kaylee are just trying to stay calm in the midst of all this. The nice thing about this is you’re getting to learn about what Stewart can do with his abilities as they go through their journey. As they make a stop to get something to eat it sets up the next part of their adventure to a place called “Blue Stone” and we’re off to the second leg of our trip. There’s also a great scene as they’re leaving that Stuart doesn’t have any money to pay for their meal so he hotwires a car and do a nice dine and dash. Yes I mention the scene because it did crack me up. Then when Kaylee needs to make a rest stop we get to what leads to the cliffhanger of our issue. When you see these last pages you can’t help but be curious as to just what in the world is going on.
I find myself curious as to what this is going to lead up to since in the solicits I was reading for this they say it’s going to tie in with Starborn in some way. I want to see since I’m not entirely sure how it’s going to play out but I can’t help but be interested. Abnett and Lanning have done a great job in taking over this series and have a nice tone going for it. This issue was a great start for any new reader to this series. You can pick this up without having to know a single thing about it. I can definitely recommend to you to pick up this issue. I now regret being away from this title as long as I have. Welcome back to my reading life Soldier Zero! Ah Stan Lee your books are going to win me over yet.
Review copy provided by Boom! Studios
