Writer: Brandon Thomas
Pencils/ Inks: Roger Robinson, Will Rosado, Jamal Igle and Robin Riggs
Letters: Saida Temofonte
Colors: Christopher Sotomayor, Paul Mounts, Snakebite Cortez and Juan Fernandez
Publisher: Lion Forge Comics
Rating: 12+ Only
Completing the introductory arc for Catalyst Prime’s telekinetic first hero, Noble: Vol 2: Never Events is an impressively epic tome with stakes raised across the board and all cards laid out on the table, showing just how all the pieces introduced in Volume 1 fit together. The cover blurb notes Noble as a “fresh spin on superheroes” and there couldn’t be a better way to describe this book.
Writer Brandon Thomas continues his masterful job of weaving his intricate story with flashbacks bouncing to and fro to give valuable insights into what amount to the three main characters- our hero to be Noble, his wife Astrid, and shot caller Lorena Payan. Thomas does a good job of exploring the connections between these characters, making it plain that these aren’t just random forces colliding, but people with well established relationships with each other. These characters also feel real as shown in the way they occasionally drop their guard so to speak- going from prim and proper professionalism to “what we not gone’ do is” realness when, well, “what we not gone’ do is” realness is called for.
It’s the kind of thing that might go over some heads, but if you get it you definitely get it, and it is a nice touch. The art is just as much on point here as in the first volume. If anything it is ramped up as the high octane pace and increased action here call for. In many ways this reads like a big budget action film on a comic book page with lots of explosions and high impact scenes that feel real. Kudos to the entire art team on a job well done!
When I reviewed Noble Vol 1: God Shots previously, I noted that Marvel’s Black Panther film was at that time a month away from release and as anyone who has been alive in the time between then and now can tell you that film has gone on to shatter box office records. I mention that here now because I believe Lion Forge truly has something here that could go above and beyond in Noble. With an original African-American telekinetic super man (as opposed to simply a black Superman), a kick butt wife by his side, and a family dynamic- I say again, these are the heroes you are looking for. Now go out and support it!
William Satterwhite is the creator of the superhero webcomic Stealth and a freelance designer, internet consultant and illustrator living in Douglasville, Ga. His professional website can be found at www.williamsatterwhite.info.
