Heroes Reborn #2

Heroes Reborn #2

If you’re like me, you unknowingly walk into these new comic book events once or twice a year and dive in. Why the hell not? Whether it’s an invasion style event like the whole King in Black thing or a “new/different reality” kind of even like House of M, there’s usually something to like or find interesting. In Heroes Reborn #1, the world has always been protected by Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, but that title belongs to the Squadron Supreme of America. A WORLD WITHOUT AVENGERS YOU SAY?!

Coulson is president. Wakanda is long believed to be a myth. Tony Stark never built an Iron Man armored suit. Thor doesn’t get drunk and save lives as the God of Thunder, he just gets drunk. Blade is the only one who remembers the Old Way, like Ned Stark, pre-beheading. All things point to Captain America never being found in the ice and that’s where our story’s protagonist, the only non-amnesiac begins to piece things back together.

Heroes Reborn #2

But this issue isn’t about Blade figuring things out. Heroes Reborn #2 revolves around Hyperion, the things he has done, and the life he lives to keep America safe. It was a fairly enjoyable issue, but I’d be lying if I didn’t address the elephant in the room with Jason Aaron’s characterization of Hyperion. He’s just Superman. I love Hyperion, his incredible strength and universal appeal, but Aaron could’ve done anything he wanted to help differentiate Hype from Supes. They’re both great stories of planetary destruction, parental love and transplant redemption, but you can’t tell me Aaron wasn’t able to add some impressive new wrinkle to Mark Milton’s story!

He’s done a wild retcon of Thor and Tony Stark’s origins so there are no excuses why Hyperion was simply summed up as “A man of sun forged honesty, atomic grit…and the red blooded American Way” unless it was intentional. Alas, it would be foolish to dwell on this point, as this is clearly a false world that has been toyed with, and Hyperion is still an amazing hero despite being a cardboard cutout of Clark.

Aaron, and artists Ed Mcguinness and Dale Keown, do make for an intriguing issue #2 overall. Diggin the artwork by Mcguiness and Keown. The fight sequences prominently feature characters tossin hands and the panels with city and landscapes contain enough detail. Aaron provides quite the backstory as to why major villains like Galactus haven’t taken over the planet or epic threats like Wanda haven’t destroyed the heroes of this world. Aaron also has a blast with the liberties he’s able to take with turning some heroes or allies into villains.

Heroes Reborn #2

Heroes Reborn #2 provides the context you need to believe in this world without Avengers, while showing readers a few glimpses of why this world is straight balderdash. Jason Aaron is on record stating that this is “Maybe the wildest story I’ve ever put on paper” which is insane to think about after the Hunger Games style battle for The Phoenix mantle, the aforementioned retcons, that Avengers Celestial drama, and all of his Thor stories over the last 3+ years. I’m intrigued by this Heroes Reborn run, and I hope this turns out to be one of the best things that Jason Aaron produces, but I won’t hold my breath until I come across something amazing and we haven’t gotten that just yet.

7 Negative Zone Detainments out of 10

Reading Heroes Reborn? Check out BNP’s other reviews here.

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  • Ja-Quan is a NYC teacher and artist holding a B.A. in Sociology and History from SUNY New Paltz. On his journey to become Hokage, the Lord of The Speed Force and Protector of the Recaps can be found North of The Wall, chopping it up on Twitter @OGquankinobi

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