There’s something to be said for showing instead of telling. Ever since I was a kid, that was the one big lesson they’d teach about writing. The thing is, when you get into comics, it’s a hard lesson to remember, because no matter what happens you’re always showing. However, just because there’s art on the page, doesn’t mean you have a free pass to spill a ton of exposition to your reader all at once. Using subtlety, you can draw a reader into a world where they feel completely comfortable and aware of their surroundings without forcing it on them.
We’re introduced to a couple of characters, there’s enough mystery to catch interest and then…
Which is why I felt a little disappointed by the time I got to the end of “Protectors, Inc.” The first issue has a huge job, as a first issue usually does with comic books, in that it has to establish its world and characters in addition to doing the usual job of having an interesting plot that ends in such a way that the reader will come back for the next issue. And “Protectors, Inc.” actually starts out really well. We’re introduced to a couple of characters, there’s enough mystery to catch interest and then…something random happens and we’re off to the next character on a totally different subject. Then after a few pages of blatant exposition, we’re off to another character on a totally different subject in an obvious attempt to setup a cliffhanger. Except I just met the characters involved in the cliffhanger two pages ago, and don’t care about them.
In fact, only one character in the entire first issue of “Protectors, Inc.” is well established: The Patriot. But they only hint at who he is within the present day of the comic. In addition, I have no idea what this comic is about. I get it. I understand the world and what happens within it…but why am I reading it? What’s going to happen from issue to issue? The first one spends so much time in flashback that it misses its chance to establish a solid conflict.
If they’d come up with a better way to present that universe, I’d be hooked.
Despite this, I am interested to read the next issue. It’s beautiful to look at, it held my attention the whole way through, it’s set in an entirely in its own universe with super heroes that are mostly original. If they’d come up with a better way to present that universe, I’d be hooked. But you can almost feel that a story wants to be told here and it comes very close to telling it. Given that, I’m willing stick with “Protectors, Inc.” for a couple months before I come to a final decision.
From J. Michael Straczynski of “Babylon 5” fame, “Protectors, Inc.” is available from Image Comics for $2.99. If you’re looking for something new to catch your attention, I’d give it a shot.