The #0.1 Thread (Contains Spoilers)

[Phil]

So folks, #0.1 hits shelves today and here is your official thread for discussing the issue.

Let's remember that when spoiling the issue to leave

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as so, for the preview panel on the home page.

More from me... very soon.

[Ben]

I just got my issue. Read it in the parking space outside my LCS :) LOVED it.

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Northstar's unwillingness to be part of the team was perfectly in character, Heather's concern over Kara going bad. Characterization was all just spot on. Marrina's new edge is refreshing. Can't say enough good!

[berserkerclaw]

like i said on main page havent read it yet but it sounds like it is really good cant wait

[varo]

like i stated in phils review, i can not believe how much i forgot who these characters are. its been a very long time since the characters i fell in love with as a kid have been characterized correctly. everyone was spot on!!! i absolutely love marinas new edge!!!

[Alpha Rider]

Overall I loved the book and art. However........









Isn't Cody Dead? as well as Citidal? Though I guess they could eplain Cody's ressurection by saying that he really wasn't dead, just braindead or something and needed time to recover.
I felt that the some of the charters were out of place. Guardian dosen't seem to be in charter from the previous series. That goes for Shaman as well. Merina's total 180 degree turn in additue seems that they are trying to hard with her. Though I hope they write a story wher she returns home to the Smallwoods for a visit.

[-K-M-]

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Got it and good starting issue. Aurora had a HUGE impressive feat in this issue using an ability she hasn't used since Weapon X days

[Ben]

Isn't Cody Dead? as well as Citidal? Though I guess they could eplain Cody's ressurection by saying that he really wasn't dead, just braindead or something and needed time to recover.

1104I always assumed he was dead, but when I looked back at the issue, you could make the case either way. Now that I'm thinking about it, his current behavour could be as a result of Bedlam messing with his mellon...

[-K-M-]

or someone controlling his body as he has an empty mind....Master or maybe even Dreamqueen?

[DelBubs]

or someone controlling his body as he has an empty mind....Master or maybe even Dreamqueen?
Mesmero or Pestilence ?

[-K-M-]

Mesmero is depowered, and maybe Pestilence.... but I don't think he was popular enough to bring back.

[DelBubs]

Dreamqueen seems the more obvious choice, she thrives on fear etc. Pestilence was more out of sentiment. I liked the character and don't think he got used as much as he should have.

[varo]

anyone else notice agent brown from the omega flight series? pretty cool.

[Alpha Rider]

Maybe Cody is a clone from Dep H. or something/ someone else. BTW I hated the first page where Snowbird tells the anrgy guy that they are Canadian.
We know this already. The caption says Montreal. Why dose evrytime an Alpha book comes out they have to make a point in saying that they are Canadian. Captain America, the Avengers, Spider Man or X-Men don't go around saying we're American. This just boils my piss.

[-K-M-]

So correct me if I'm wrong, but did...........


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Aurora liquify adamantium?

[Sasquatch17]

I'm very pleased with Alpha Flight 0.1 as we now have the characters back from Volume 1.

Marrina is definitely the most improved with her new "attitude" she's like a lime green Biff Naked!

To quote Thor...."This issue...I like it...ANOTHER!!!"

[rplass]

Liquefy Adamantium? Yeah, I don't even know if it's possible. Perhaps she transferred some vibrations through the metal into the guy's hands and caused his hands to liquefy? That's pretty darn disgsuting though, to make a guy have a goopy stump where his hand used to be, gross! I think she just kind of rattled him off of herself and didn't actually turn anything into liquid.

[Alpha Rider]

I don't know about Merina's new additude, it seems abit outdated maybe like something from the 90's Image comics.

[MonsieurTaffy]

A couple of thoughts from a long-time lurker:

- Great, great art. I do not remember when AF had such a great art except for the Byrne issues and the early Jim Lee issues. AF vol. 3 had some great art too, but with the dreadful Lobdell plot, it's better left forgotten :)

- Perfect characterization. Mac was bland, but he is Mac, and being bland (or dead...) has always been part of who he is. Heather came off as a bit off, only focusing on her child, which makes sense. Everyone else was spot on. Best, strongest Aurora we have seen in a long time. I especially enjoyed the Weapon X use of her powers.

- The political analogy is a bit far-fetched, though interesting considering our recent elections. Montreal was surprisingly well-depicted, all the streets that were named were accurate and actually made sense. Even the French that was used was right on target. I believe it's the first time an AF issue really felt accurate language and landscape wise for someone from that part of the country.

- Good timing, a lot of humour (who would have pictured Snowbird handling parking tickets!), a lot of sensibility (Jean-Paul scenes with Kyle had a nice gradation for anyone who may not know them, with the realization they are a couple only being really apparent on the last page) and a lot of questions (Kara portrayed as the ennemy when she might just be fighting on the right side...and what the heck is with Marrina's new attitude?).

Overall, an extremely solid issue, on par with the Byrne issues or the very first issues of Volume 2. I am back on board and seriously impressed.

[mreeez]

There was an interview with FVL where he was asked about Cody being dead and his reply was something to the effect of Herc bringing back more than just Alpha Flight in Chaos War.

[-K-M-]

Liquefy Adamantium? Yeah, I don't even know if it's possible. Perhaps she transferred some vibrations through the metal into the guy's hands and caused his hands to liquefy? That's pretty darn disgsuting though, to make a guy have a goopy stump where his hand used to be, gross! I think she just kind of rattled him off of herself and didn't actually turn anything into liquid.

Those with matter manipulation have done it, and she did gain the power from Weapon X where she can rip molecules apart, but I don't know if her power is strong enough to do that to adamantium.... so yeah I think you could be right. She only "liquified" his insides rather then his exoskelton.

[rplass]

Oh of course we're both forgetting X-Men #25 where Magneto rips the adamantium out of Wolverine's body. If you remember what it looked like, it was pretty much liquid when it came out. So Magneto can liquefy Adamantium so we know it's possible.

[suzene]

Either way, I bet it stung a bit...

[suzene]

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Very mild spoilers...


Generally? Lots of love. Everyone got their moment of awesome, and most of our guys got more than one.

I adored Pak and Van Lente's take on Northstar, Kyle, and their relationship. I seriously had a co-worker ask me what was with all the smiling.

Snowbird is the most awesome meter-maid in the history of awesome.

I wanted to give Shaman all the high-fives. All of them.

But...I am just not feeling Marrina in that "bite me" panel. It came off as juvenile shock value on the character's part, especially when contrasted against Northstar's coolly snark-laden criticism in earlier pages. I'm guessing this is deliberate on the writers' part, but it's not helping so far as warming me up to her new incarnation.

General consensus, though, is that my brain needs a cigarette after that bit of lovely. These guys give good Flight.

[Phil]

Isn't Cody Dead? as well as Citidal? Though I guess they could eplain Cody's ressurection by saying that he really wasn't dead, just braindead or something and needed time to recover.

See here (http://www.alphaflight.net/showthread.php?5479-new-maxi-series................alpha-flight!!!!&p=79585&viewfull=1#post79585).

[Legerd]

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I don't think Aurora was trying to liquefy Citadel's adamantium armour, but his flesh and bone hand inside it. Like if you grabbed someone by the head and shook them real hard, you'll injure the brain, but not the skull. I think that was what she intended.

As for the book, I LOVED IT! Okay, Shaman seemed a little OOC when he talked about punching people out for calling him an Indian, and Marrina calling Citadel "land mollusk" was kinda silly, but overall the writing was great. I liked JP's reaction to being called on by Dept. H, as well as his snide comments to Guardian. Fits his character exactly. In fact character-wise, everyone seemed spot on, with the noticeable change in Marrina being the exception. I hope we get to learn what is behind this new attitude of hers, either in the maxi, or an ongoing series.
As for the story, it takes me back to when comics were mostly one-and-done tales. Lots of sweet super powered action, some nice back story to flesh out the characters, and a nice set up to lead into the maxi. This is the kind of comic book I enjoy reading.
The art, aside from I think three bad panels all involving Walter in either his human or Sasquatch form, was amazing! Oliver and Green should be proud of their work. Well done guys!

[DelBubs]

Kudo's to my son. On his day off from work, but went on a hour long bus journey to get his old dad a comic. :-)

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All I'll say about Purple Woman and Citadel is one man's terrorist is another mans freedom fighter. I hope we see Kara again before the end of the Maxi. This Alpha fits into this day and age, Shamans atitude to being called indian is understandable. It's a bit removed from the Shaman we know, but there's been a lot of changes in his life and character growth can only be a good thing. The interaction between Northstar and Guardian was top notch, no real hate from JP, more like banter. I really enjoyed this and it felt like Alpha. As for Marrina :-) Teenage Rebel. Mum and Dad (Mac & Heather) are gonna have their work cut out with that one.

[MistressMerr]

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The good:
- The art. Not my favourite that I've seen come out of Marvel lately, but pretty high up there nonetheless. Great stuff.
- Remembering that, oh yeah, they're all actual characters with fully fleshed out personalities. How novel!
- Sasquatch and Aurora. Perfect banter for two people with their history, and Walter in his stupid-looking flight suit! Loved it.
- The nods to continuity, particularly finally dealing properly with the Hudson baby. <3
- Aurora still has her Weapon X powers, say whaaaaaat? Did NOT see that coming, was ecstatic. Seems like the twins are constantly having their powers altered and then getting reset back to default every five minutes, so nice to see one of the alterations stick.
- Anne McKenzie!Snowbird. I didn't realize how much I missed that particular alter ego until I saw her in action again.
- Surgeon!Shaman. Amazing how just remembering that he's an awesome doctor as well as a crazy awesome magic user adds a ton of badass points to him.
- Northstar and Guardian's banter. Dude, you're not fooling anyone.
- The way it ties in with the Canadian election. Can honestly not remember the last time I read a Marvel comic that genuinely topical.

The slightly less good:
- I still can't get into Northstar and Kyle. Just... blurg. I'd hoped seeing them under some genuinely good writers would turn things around, but nope, can't stand it/them/Kyle in general. Nice to finally see an on-panel kiss for JP, though.
- Some more on how Kara got to this point would have been nice, though that's something that can always be filled in later.

The stuff I'm still waiting to pass judgment on:
- Yet another evil government storyline. Seriously, Marvel Canada is basically the most corrupt, messed-up place in this side of the Shi'Ar.
- Marrina's personality transplant. I'm digging it, but it'll need a bit more exposition showing how she got there to buy it fully.

The terrible:
- The next issue isn't out yet.

Loved it. Loved it. Loved it.

[Alpha Rider]

Miss a little... You miss alot.

See here (http://www.alphaflight.net/showthread.php?5479-new-maxi-series................alpha-flight!!!!&p=79585&viewfull=1#post79585).

[Le Messor]

So correct me if I'm wrong, but did...........


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Aurora liquify adamantium?

No, if you look at his hand after, the armour's intact.


The political analogy is a bit far-fetched, though interesting considering our recent elections. Montreal was surprisingly well-depicted, all the streets that were named were accurate and actually made sense. Even the French that was used was right on target.

"J'en ai" rather than "J'en ais" at one point...


But...I am just not feeling Marrina in that "bite me" panel. It came off as juvenile shock value on the character's part, especially when contrasted against Northstar's coolly snark-laden criticism in earlier pages.

Me too, I didn't like it...

gtg, visitors right here (flipping through the issue as I type and speak to them)...

[Garry/Al-Fan]

Given that 0.1 had to introduce the 8 members of Alpha Flight without all the baggage from previous incarnations and tell a story too, I'd say this book does a decent job.

Kara is "Purple Woman," now; it even says so in the comic. Unless US Agent actually captured him, Kara's father (The Purple Man) is still running around loose in Canada. I wouldn't be surprised if KILLGRAVE shows up at some point in this maxi-series. Briefly, though, I hope.

I like Narya getting two moments to shine (first, as "Anne MacKenzie", then as "Snowbird"), and I like Shaman getting more depth instead of just being the melancholy stoic prone to dwelling on past mistakes. Bring back Elizabeth and I'll be happy to no end!

More Walt/Sas-JM/Aurora banter, please.

Since the team seems to have the implants (even Northstar), Marrina's ill-timed "going off" may have been triggered.
But anybody (at Dept. H) who thinks putting "ping"-inducing implants in an alien, a demi-goddess, a mystic, and a woman with multiple personalities is a good thing---leading to good results---ought to have his head examined.

[Le Messor]

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anyone else notice agent brown from the omega flight series? pretty cool.

I did!
Kinda. I noticed Agent Brown, but forgot where I knew him from.
I would've totally got away with it, too, if I hadn't just admitted it right here.


- The political analogy is a bit far-fetched, though interesting considering our recent elections.

Yeah, I wasn't a fan of that side of it.


Good timing, a lot of humour (who would have pictured Snowbird handling parking tickets!)

I loved that bit. At first, I thought 'Do mounties do that?', then I though 'presumably, she just got a different job in a similar field'.


Jean-Paul scenes with Kyle had a nice gradation for anyone who may not know them, with the realization they are a couple only being really apparent on the last page).

Really? I thought it was kinda obvious from the start, but I knew it going in.


Reviews here (http://dangermart.blogspot.com/2011/05/alpha-flight-01-review.html).
She's teamed with a heavy named Citadel, one of Marvel's never-ending parade of adamantium experiments turned rogue. He's likely appeared previously and I fell asleep.

I lol'd!


the exception being Guardian's face - too feminine, and his mask makes him look sleepy.

I did not get that at all. Thought it was fine.


Reviews and here (http://uk.comics.ign.com/articles/116/1169200p1.html).
Why is Persuasion suddenly a villain? Ben Oliver's art ... generally gets the job done... his Sasquatch is comically tiny.

Agreed on both points. I won't be adding Oliver to my list of people who can draw Sasquatch, though he's by no means the worst. (Eaglesham, on the other hand, has made my list! Mwahahah-- wait, I meant that in a good way.)
Also, they did lampshade Kara's switch to the bad side. It came a bit late in the book for me, but it's not like they spent the whole book acting like she'd always been a villain.


More reviews here (http://www.comicvine.com/alpha-flight-alpha-flight/37-270433/user-reviews/?review_id=18399)
Yeah, I'm not sure the human monster works for me either.


More reviews and here (http://www.giantkillersquid.com/2011/05/18/comically-challenged-alpha-flight-0-1/).
It’s okay if you didn’t read Alpha Flight; not too many people did.
Actually, the original, a lot of people did read it!


Plus, quite honestly, you don’t find many openly homosexual characters-even in current books.
True, unless you read anything with Katrina Dean (but not, oddly enough, her girlfriend in Runaways), Wiccan and Hulkling (Avengers: Children's Crusade), Batwoman (various Bat-books, her own title is supposed to be coming soon), The Question (she's... around somewhere), Rictor and Shatterstar (thanks to Peter David's canon slash in X-Factor or X-Force), Anatole (X-books), Daken (X-books)...
this isn't something I keep track of, so I've probably forgotten examples.


I don't think Aurora was trying to liquefy Citadel's adamantium armour, but his flesh and bone hand inside it. Like if you grabbed someone by the head and shook them real hard, you'll injure the brain, but not the skull.
A theory backed up by the artwork. That was what I thought, too.
They never proved I did that, by the way.


Okay, Shaman seemed a little OOC when he talked about punching people out for calling him an Indian, and Marrina calling Citadel "land mollusk" was kinda silly, but overall the writing was great. I liked JP's reaction to being called on by Dept. H, as well as his snide comments to Guardian.
Agreed.
Although, (and this has been discussed elsewhere), the pingers are over-distributed in this issue. Only about three or four of them had them in the original. Shaman and Heather never did, and Northstar had his removed.


All I'll say about Purple Woman and Citadel is one man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter.
If crimefighters fight crime, and firefighters fight fire, what do freedom fighters fight?


character growth can only be a good thing.

Uh, not true.
Also, well done your son. You have taught him well.
But remember to bury your feelings, they can be used against you.


A tad negative (http://chronicinsomniashow.blogspot.com/2011/05/chronic-review-alpha-flight-01.html?zx=3d90702c10a266b0) methinks.
And I thought we'd been filtering out the negative ones. It's good to see we're not; that means that most of them have been positive.
While I agree that the people monster would be impossible (and that's not a plus of this book for me), I don't care nearly as much as this reviewer does. Also, did he notice that there was a restofthebook? It wasn't twenty pages of just that monster.


But anybody (at Dept. H) who thinks putting "ping"-inducing implants in a demi-goddess...

I never got the impression Birdie had one - she was just there the whole time.
Also, Byrne established that they couldn't implant one in her. Not that these guys, frankly, got everything right.

- Le Messor
"I was in a band once..."
~ A Canadian border guard in Suck. Played by Rush's bassist.

[Garry/Al-Fan]

everything[/I] right.

- Le Messor


Excellent point. But AIM cloned Snowbird, so who knows what somebody else might try to do. But I truly hope that no one attempts to put one in Snowbird. . Yet, [I]Northstar seems to have an implant, and he's just the main one who (imo) would object. I don't see Michael willingly subjecting himself to this, nor Heather. Who would Michael trust enough to perform this type of surgery?

BTW, the giant human purple monster-man was a bit of a stretch for me, too, but you can't have everything.

In one of the interviews, I believe this series is supposed to be an "in-continuity reboot". Seems to be working.

[Le Messor]

Yet, Northstar seems to have an implant, and he's just the main one who (imo) would object.

And has, on-panel, had his removed. Marvel Fanfare v.1 #28.

- Le Messor
"Try and make the feelings and actions of Christmas part of everyday life."
~ Sars Henderson

[varo]

i loved the people monster, showed originality and a really cool way to use her powers. movies like batman and iron man really are killing books that things have to be SOOO realistic.

put me in the "fan of the people monster" category!

[Alpha Rider]

i loved the people monster, showed originality and a really cool way to use her powers. movies like batman and iron man really are killing books that things have to be SOOO realistic.

put me in the "fan of the people monster" category!

Yeah I agree that it showed alot of originality. Makes Purple Woman seem very bad ass and cool. Almost make you want her on the team again.

[Le Messor]

i loved the people monster, showed originality and a really cool way to use her powers. movies like batman and iron man really are killing books that things have to be SOOO realistic.

semi-anti-ditto.
I am completely and fully behind your second statement; in fact, it's one of my biggest bêtes-noir in current comics.

'originality'? Nuh-unh. I've seen it done, and very recently, and much better (partly because it takes away the realism issue). Details to follow.

- Le Messor
"I’d love to, but I have to knit some dust bunnies for a charity bazaar."

[suzene]

True, unless you read anything with Katrina Dean (but not, oddly enough, her girlfriend in Runaways), Wiccan and Hulkling (Avengers: Children's Crusade), Batwoman (various Bat-books, her own title is supposed to be coming soon), The Question (she's... around somewhere), Rictor and Shatterstar (thanks to Peter David's canon slash in X-Factor or X-Force), Anatole (X-books), Daken (X-books)...
this isn't something I keep track of, so I've probably forgotten examples.

Karma (X-Books)
Mystique (bisexual...at the very least!; X-Books)
Bling! (bisexual; X-Books - notice a bit of a theme here?)
Moondragon (Marvel Cosmic)
Phlya-Vel (Marvel Cosmic)
Flatman (GLA)
Obsidian (JSA) and his boyfriend Damon
Tasmanian Devil (non-assigned DC)
Starman (JLA)
Ramsey Spencer (Manhunter)
Savant (bisexual; Birds of Prey)
Creote (Birds of Prey)

And that's not even getting into the very minor characters, the creator-owned stuff, or even the imprints at the Big Two (Vertigo, Wildstorm, Icon, etc.). The issue is usually less the number of queer characters in comics, but how few of them get anything like significant page time, let alone get to be leading characters in a team line-up.

[Le Messor]

how few of them get anything like significant page time,

Lots of them do, though.
And, given the number of X-books listed above, where nobody but Scott and Emma get page time anyway...

- Le Messor
"Few people do business well who do nothing else."
~ Lord Chesterfield

[DIGGER]

I'll bet that guy who complained about the purple person-person probably hated the Stay-puffed Marshmellow Man from Ghostbusters too because there was no way he could have supported his own weight. Also on another topic, I thought artists were going for the more realistic look but when did Northstar get implants! :o

DIGGER (sorry about the implants bit)

[Le Messor]

I'll bet that guy who complained about the purple person-person probably hated the Stay-puffed Marshmellow Man

I actually agreed with him about the purple person (I've just written a review that talks about it), but not about Stay-Puft. One of the differences (mentioned in my review) is that Stay-Puft is magical. Another is that for this to work, every single one of those people would have to have breath-holding training from Jacques Cousteau, and acrobatics training from Cirque De Soleil. Otherwise, they couldn't hold themselves together like that, or, if they were on the inside, breathe. Let alone the strength required to pull it off.
What I disagreed with him on was, it wasn't nearly as big a deal as he made out of it. Okay, I wrote in length, but I do that. It wasn't the only thing in the issue, and unlike him, I noticed.

Yes, I know he didn't actually talk about Stay-Puft.

- Le Messor
"Money has no eyes, it will go where you spend it."
~ George Repnin

[DIGGER]

...but this is a COMIC BOOK and that means the improbable is, well, probably probable. And maybe they all held their breath til they turned purple.

DIGGER

[Le Messor]

...but this is a COMIC BOOK and that means the improbable is, well, probably probable.

Also covered in the review, with a link (http://atopfourthwall.blogspot.com/2011/05/ultimatum-1-2.html) to Linkara.

- Le Messor
"It is always the thought that counts."
~ anonymous

[Tawmis]

I loved the issue. There was just one thing I hated. And I mean I _REALLY_ hated it.
When Marriana goes off about the media and flips the camera off.
Really?
I mean _REALLY?_

Do you think the media would care about an alien?

The team has a member who died and came back a bazillion times.
The team has a championship skiier (though he swears he's not on the team).
The team has a mystical creature (Sasquatch).
The team has a demigoddess.

Really. You think an alien is so amazing?

And why the shiesty attitude?

[cmdrkoenig67]

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I really liked it. It was great to see Heather leading part of the team (Aurora, Shaman, Sasquatch and Marrina)...I hope to see more of her doing so in future issues. It was also a nice touch to see Heather being upset about Kara being an adversary (very in character, for how Heather would react). On that note, Kara may have been doing what she thought was right (trying to expose the danger of the Unity party), but she employed terrorist tactics to do it...That's just messed up. Kara's powers would easily allow her to get into the building past security and out safely, just by commanding the building's staff to help her...She really didn't have to place hundreds of civilians in danger. That part of the story really didn't sit well with me, perhaps her time on the Utopia island (which was pretty much attacked constantly) messed her up a bit? Kara certainly had a fancy ride waiting for her.

The giant purple people monster was a bit silly...I also don't get Shaman's astral self leaving his body and his body being able to still perform surgery, that too was a bit out there. Marrina's extremely rebellious attitude seems a bit over the top at the end too.

I liked seeing Jean Paul and Kyle interact as a couple, as well as Heather and Mac's moments. For the most part, it seems Van Lente and Pak have a good handle on who the Alphans should be and Mr Oliver did a wonderful job illustrating the issue.

Dana

[varo]

i loved the purple people monster and could care less about the physics that go into it and i love marinas new attitude. she is a teenager revolting against the establishment and trying to find herself. we have all been there.

i have 0% complaints about this issue. 0.000000%

[sengsterooney]

i have 0% complaints about this issue. 0.000000%

I finally picked up my copy of 0.1 at my LCS today - was too busy last week to visit even though every molecule in my body wanted to.

Good news: my LCS sold out of the issue and will be ordering more. Yay.

More good news: I loved it. Even though I'd read the preview pages (about 7 of them online), I took the time to re-read before segueing into the rest of the story. Like Varo, I have 0 complaints. Zero. This is Alpha Flight back the way it's meant to be.

And I loved the non-action scenes: Mac and Heather on their day off, Northstar and Kyle in their apartment.

Bring on #1 is all I can say, and let's hope that it continues on to #9 and beyond!

[Le Messor]

The team has a championship skiier (though he swears he's not on the team).

Devil's Due department:
He wasn't even there in that scene.


i loved the purple people monster and could care less about the physics that go into it

Yeah, me too.
Okay, I cared, but not *that* much.


and i love marinas new attitude. she is a teenager revolting against the establishment and trying to find herself. we have all been there.

I'm with Tawmis on this one. We haven't all gone totally off the deep end like she does here. It was done so stupidly. She stands around, posing with (most of) her team, then after a _some time_ (unknown amount) suddenly goes off at the cameras that she's just been posing for.
And does it as if they're focussing on her and her alone. Which they aren't.

It's going to take a lot of work in the main 8 issues to convince me of her attitude here.

- Le Messor
"The generosity of your time is the most valuable gift you can give."
~ Sara Henderson

[suzene]

I'm with Tawmis on this one. We haven't all gone totally off the deep end like she does here. It was done so stupidly. She stands around, posing with (most of) her team, then after a _some time_ (unknown amoutn) suddenly goes off at the cameras that she's just been posing for.
And does it as if they're focussing on her and her alone. Which they aren't.

It's going to take a lot of work in the main 8 issues to convince me of her attitude here.

Yeah, exactly. I think if Marrina had been shown making any effort to avoid the cameras and had been followed or even just filmed as she walked away before she rounded on them, then the scene would have come off better. Marrina's the character who's gone through the biggest change, and yet she got the least amount of exposure and set-up in the issue, and I really think she needed it. I'm hoping we get a more rounded view of her character in the next issue, more than the line about the "alien pride" MB, because after all the hardship's Marrina's endured, I'd hate for the bold new direction chosen for her to amount to her being heaped up with a lot of unfocused, reflexive rebellion. Fingers crossed that they're going somewhere with it.

[Le Messor]

Fingers crossed that they're going somewhere with it.

I'm sure they will.
Fingers also crossed. And eyes.

- Le Messor
"The art of pleasing consists in being pleased."
~ William Haslitt

[rplass]

Could we get these reviews (including your own!) blobbed together into a "#0.1 Review Dump" post? And do that for each subsequent issue as they are posted, something like that.

EDIT- Good idea Rob; See http://www.alphaflight.net/showthread.php?5632-Alpha-Flight-0.1-Review-Compilation-Thread - Phil

[Tawmis]

The giant purple people monster was a bit silly...I also don't get Shaman's astral self leaving his body and his body being able to still perform surgery, that too was a bit out there.
Dana

Why? Remember, they came back from the whole dead thing more powerful than before. I think this is a perfect way of being very subtle about acknowledging that.


i loved the purple people monster and could care less about the physics that go into it and i love marinas new attitude. she is a teenager revolting against the establishment and trying to find herself. we have all been there.


Sure, _we_ have all been there. Because we're human. As she kindly pointed out, she's an alien. And who knows if she's in her "teenage" years. And it's not like she displayed this behavior before - oh, except - when she CHANGED INTO THE ACTUAL ALIEN FORM! So wouldn't the rest of AF be like, "Uh, hey, that attitude, kind of reminds me of when you gutted Puck..."


Yeah, exactly. I think if Marrina had been shown making any effort to avoid the cameras and had been followed or even just filmed as she walked away before she rounded on them, then the scene would have come off better. Marrina's the character who's gone through the biggest change, and yet she got the least amount of exposure and set-up in the issue, and I really think she needed it. I'm hoping we get a more rounded view of her character in the next issue, more than the line about the "alien pride" MB, because after all the hardship's Marrina's endured, I'd hate for the bold new direction chosen for her to amount to her being heaped up with a lot of unfocused, reflexive rebellion. Fingers crossed that they're going somewhere with it.


Marrina has gone through the biggest change? Say what? You don't think maybe Mac has? The dude's died, not died, been cloned, had a clone be with his wife, had a robot pretend to be him, while it turns out he was out in space, and died AGAIN... I mean even Phoenix is like, "Dude, you're crampin' my style."

I much preferred Marrina when she was written with that innocence and nativity. Everyone else on the team is so wizened and experienced, it'd been nice to have SOMEONE on the team that contradicted those qualities the rest of them have.

[suzene]

Marrina has gone through the biggest change? Say what? You don't think maybe Mac has? The dude's died, not died, been cloned, had a clone be with his wife, had a robot pretend to be him, while it turns out he was out in space, and died AGAIN... I mean even Phoenix is like, "Dude, you're crampin' my style."

The biggest change in terms of personality.

[Ahab]

I don't remember, but was it ever mentioned in any of the Alpha Flight series that Mac and Heather were aware that Gary Cody was killed?
If so, I guess that is one thing that strikes me as a little strange in this first issue. I always assumed that they knew. If they did, why would they be so casual about him being back and running for office?

[bigbloo]

Teenage Marrina?

Hey, maybe this isn't Marrina, maybe this is one of her and Namor's kids, who somehow took the place of her Mom, was turned into Leviathan, died....

BTW, did I say I loved seeing them all in action again? I LOVED IT!

[cmdrkoenig67]

I don't remember, but was it ever mentioned in any of the Alpha Flight series that Mac and Heather were aware that Gary Cody was killed?
If so, I guess that is one thing that strikes me as a little strange in this first issue. I always assumed that they knew. If they did, why would they be so casual about him being back and running for office?

You know, I can't recall if Heather knew about Cody's "death" (Mac was "dead" at the time)...IIRC, she did learn he let Bedlam loose.

Dana

[Le Messor]

Why? Remember, they came back from the whole dead thing more powerful than before.

Actually, I'd forgotten. Hm...


I don't remember, but was it ever mentioned in any of the Alpha Flight series that Mac and Heather were aware that Gary Cody was killed?
I always assumed that they knew. If they did, why would they be so casual about him being back and running for office?

I've been assuming, too. It seems really unlikely that they wouldn't know - especially since, as BigBloo mentioned, they found out he unleashed Bedlam.
That said, MAC having a problem with someone coming back from the dead?

- Le Messor
"I’d love to, but I prefer to remain an enigma."

[cmdrkoenig67]

Anybody know how well they did with Jean Paul's Quebecois French?...Sylvie? I was wondering about that.

Oh...And I also love that Heather appears to be using an electro-magnetic suit, Like Mac...I won't miss the Geo suit, really.

Dana

[Ahab]

FYI - Some answers from the creators:

1. When Aurora shrugged off Citadel, was she just moving her hand at top speed to shake up/damage his arm within the adamantium or was she using the power shown in the Weapon X series where she could actually increase the velocity of another object? There has been a little debate as to what occurred in that situation.

The former.

2. I always assumed that the Hudsons knew that Gary Cody had been killed by Bedlam. I admit that I can't remember if this was ever acknowledged in the series though. Is it safe to assume that they didn't know, hence why they are not bothered that he is running for office? Or are they just resigned to the fact that other dead people have returned to the land of the living as well, such as Citadel?

These, along with a couple other niggling continuity things, are generally ignored so newbies aren't completely lost. We want to introduce as many new fans as we can to the Flight without them requiring a PhD in Flightology. For one thing, if memory serves, Bedlam didn't kill Cody, he rendered him brain dead. But to answer your question directly -- more the latter. The Hudson (particularly Mac) have come back from the dead themselves, along with Marrina and Shaman, the return of Cody, to them, is not hugely noteworthy.

[Le Messor]

We want to introduce as many new fans as we can to the Flight without them requiring a PhD in Flightology.

So all my study was for nothing?


the return of Cody, to them, is not hugely noteworthy.

LOL! I love it!

- Le Messor
"I’d love to, but I’m going through cherry cheesecake withdrawal."

[bigbloo]

Anybody know how well they did with Jean Paul's Quebecois French?...Sylvie? I was wondering about that.

Dana

It should be ok. I remember reading over at Eaglesham's Alpha Club forum that his wife was a Quebecois and was proofreading the French parts/

[cmdrkoenig67]

It should be ok. I remember reading over at Eaglesham's Alpha Club forum that his wife was a Quebecois and was proofreading the French parts/

I'm only asking, because one of the more recent reviews bashed the use of french in the comic (and Eaglesham himself, is also originally from Quebec...According to the interview).

Dana

[Phil]

I think the review bashed the fact that there was one French line where as the rest were English and if you're going to translate one they should all be translated, in order to make sense.

[cmdrkoenig67]

If I can find the link again, I'll post it. The reviewer did comment on the use of French in the middle of a mostly English sentence (as you mention, Phil), but they also bashed the use of French as being inaccurate (to the effect of them not even existing as words). It was a fairly negative review, IIRC.

Dana

[cmdrkoenig67]

Whoops! I totally apologize....It was a comment I read on Marvel.com forums, that I was thinking of...Sorry, guys. It was in the 0.1 comment thread...A reader goes a bit mental on the French, saying it was made up and that people also don't use french words in the middle of speaking English (I disagree with him on a technicality...Many of the words we English-speakers use have their origins in French).

http://fans.marvel.com/go/thread/view/108222/27536837/Alpha_Fight_0.1_DiscussionSpoilers

Again, sorry...I totally misremembered it as being a review (in a sense it is a sort of review).

[Le Messor]

It was a comment I read on Marvel.com forums, that I was thinking of...Sorry, guys. It was in the 0.1 comment thread...A reader goes a bit mental on the French, saying it was made up and that people also don't use french words in the middle of speaking English

I do, and it's hardly my native language.
I remember one word - no more - that I thought might be misspelled ('j'ai' instead of 'j'ais') but my French isn't that great, and the spelling mistake is probably mine.

- Le Messor
"I’d love to, but I’ve been traded to Cincinnati."

[Phil]

An interesting look; http://toobusythinkingboutcomics.blogspot.com/2011/05/alpha-flight-1-justice-society-of.html

[Sypes]

Whoops! I totally apologize....It was a comment I read on Marvel.com forums, that I was thinking of...Sorry, guys. It was in the 0.1 comment thread...A reader goes a bit mental on the French, saying it was made up and that people also don't use french words in the middle of speaking English (I disagree with him on a technicality...Many of the words we English-speakers use have their origins in French).

http://fans.marvel.com/go/thread/view/108222/27536837/Alpha_Fight_0.1_DiscussionSpoilers

Again, sorry...I totally misremembered it as being a review (in a sense it is a sort of review).

In the south parts of New-Brunswick, Acadians consistently use French and English mixed together to form sentences. It is very common! They call it "chiac" while most people say "Franglais". That reader clearly lives in a English dominated or French Québec dominated area!

[Le Messor]

An interesting look; http://toobusythinkingboutcomics.blogspot.com/2011/05/alpha-flight-1-justice-society-of.html

"Yet, a scene composed of an angry would-be voter ranting against the receiving of a parking ticket simply can't be considered to be intriguing in any persuasive fashion."

It's true only in that he's talking about non-fans. Fans will recognise the name 'Anne McKenzie' and be hooked!

"Similarly, a page-turner which consists of the absence of colour from the last frame while a character off-panel asks "Hey! What happened to the lights?""

It just occured to me... wasn't this scene set during the day? Wouldn't that mean the lights going out wouldn't make much difference anyway?
Or has the light Apocalypse that's affected Marvel and DC since the 90s been mitigated by the invention, in 2011, of the electric light?

- Le Messor
"We all like to think we're unique until someone tells us we're different."
~ P.K. Shaw

[DelBubs]

An interesting look; http://toobusythinkingboutcomics.blogspot.com/2011/05/alpha-flight-1-justice-society-of.html
I think I'll wait for the TPB.

[Banshee]

I loved issue 0. Plain and simple. We've waited so looooooooong for this, let's all get behind it and make it a hit!

[-K-M-]

Not sure why people are complaining about Shaman's spirit leaving his body, and his body continued the surgery. This is something Shaman has done before even way back in vol.1

[Le Messor]

Not sure why people are complaining about Shaman's spirit leaving his body, and his body continued the surgery. This is something Shaman has done before even way back in vol.1

¿To what do you refer?

- Le Messor
"Some people are so sensitive they feel snubbed if an epidemic overlooks them."
~ Kin Hubbard

[Phil]

Ben (Oliver)'s posted a few uncoloured pages over at his blog for anyone interested:

http://benoliverart.blogspot.com/2011/05/alpha-flight-01.html
http://benoliverart.blogspot.com/2011/05/blog-post_20.html

[-K-M-]

¿To what do you refer?

- Le Messor
"Some people are so sensitive they feel snubbed if an epidemic overlooks them."
~ Kin Hubbard

Infinity Crusade tie-in, his soul left his body while his body continued to fight with Wolverine. He did this so he could go undected by the Goddess.

[Le Messor]

Infinity Crusade tie-in, his soul left his body while his body continued to fight with Wolverine. He did this so he could go undected by the Goddess.

Ah... I half-forgot that. Weirdly, I finally got a tie-in I've been looking for the other day (Warlock and the Infinity Watch #8.) Haven't had the chance to read it yet.

- Le Messor
"Insight, plus hindsight, equals foresight."
~ Russell Murphy

[bigbloo]

Ben (Oliver)'s posted a few uncoloured pages over at his blog for anyone interested:

http://benoliverart.blogspot.com/2011/05/alpha-flight-01.html
http://benoliverart.blogspot.com/2011/05/blog-post_20.html

Hm! I actually like his artwork better in black and white...

[bigbloo]

An interesting look; http://toobusythinkingboutcomics.blogspot.com/2011/05/alpha-flight-1-justice-society-of.html

He does make a valid point. I LOVED #0.1, but then I'm a big Alpha fan. I'm not sure this would really wow/hook new readers. Now the first couple of pages of Alpha Flight #1, on the other hand, are a completely different kettle of fish. Ever since they started coming out with those mega disaster movies, I've always wondered how superheroes would be able to handle a full on natural disaster, like a tsunami, so this definitely had me interested, and I can imagine it pulling new readers in as well.

He, he. I just realized. Attuma. Marrina. Kettle of fish... ;)

[Flightpath07]

http://canadas-own-the-flight.blogspot.com/2011/06/flightpath-07s-review-of-af-vol4-issue.html

Here's my take on the whole issue.

[Flightpath07]

It should be ok. I remember reading over at Eaglesham's Alpha Club forum that his wife was a Quebecois and was proofreading the French parts/

Why was she proofreading his French pants? Oh wait, maybe i read that wrong...

[Pex]

A review of Issue #0.1 that I posted to my Local Comic Shop's Message Board...

At first, I was upset they were starting AF with a "Point One" issue, but then I did the math and discovered that they managed to turn an eight issue maxi-series into a nine issue maxi-series, so I'm good.

The story is pretty interesting. There's a bit of politics involved but not to the point that it detracts from the story. Politics and governmental bureaucracy have always been a part of Alpha's history, though, so it actually feels pretty much "business as usual" in the House That Mac Built. I actually like the choice of candidate for the Unity Party. It's a familiar face for long-time readers that again, seems like it belongs there.

The two villains of the piece were okay, I guess. I didn't know the one, he seemed a bit generic, but okay. The other villain(ess)...I question why she's there. Given the "origin" of the character, for her to fall into the same patterns as her father seems wrong, but then given the nature of her power, the temptation has always been there, even as far back as her first appearance. Still, she was one of my favorite Alphans from the middle period of the original series, so it kinda hurts to see her go bad. Hurts in a good way. She does seem to believe in her cause, which makes her a believable villain, if I think about it long enough, but I still miss seeing her as one of the good guys. Still, better turned bad than killed off-panel.

For the most part, I can't fault the writing on this book, this is a pretty good introduction to the characters and they all get a chance to shine at various moments. I wondered if Vindicator would be in a leadership role, but luckily everyone seems to defer to her, even the non-Alphans called in to respond. This was a nice touch, I thought for sure they'd go back to having Guardian in complete control. I did wonder where Marrina came from because she seemed to just suddenly appear, but she had a great moment near the end, so it's all good. I particularly like the creep-factor of Shaman doing auto-pilot surgery while fighting. Also, I like Kyle. To me, he's a new character, but he and Northstar make a great couple, so I look forward to seeing more of him. My only gripe, and it's a minor one, is what the villainess (aw heck, it's Persuasion a.k.a. Kara Killgrave, the Purple Girl, okay!?) does with her powers...I've never seen her able to do something like that, or if she has, I don't remember it. It does remind me of Madison Jeffries' late brother, though, which was kind of neat. I don't think it was intentional, but that's what it reminded me of, so that was cool.

The art is rather expressive, particularly Marrina's mugging for the camera crews at the end, but the whole issue looks slick and stylish and quite handsome, art-wise. If I had a gripe, it's that Sasquatch looks too slicked down, fur-wise. In some shots, it's forgivable because of wind blowing or other such natural effects, but I just don't really care for the way he's drawn by this artist, which is a shame because everything else looks great.

Overall, a good start and a good jumping-on place for newbies. Hopefully the series will do well.

[bigbloo]

I did wonder where Marrina came from because she seemed to just suddenly appear, but she had a great moment near the end, so it's all good.

You know, whenever Marrina appears suddenly on dry land, I just assume she did her waterspout trick. But I do miss seeing that. I hope they show it again sometime.

[kozzi24]

I don't remember, but was it ever mentioned in any of the Alpha Flight series that Mac and Heather were aware that Gary Cody was killed?
If so, I guess that is one thing that strikes me as a little strange in this first issue. I always assumed that they knew. If they did, why would they be so casual about him being back and running for office?

Because they've been dead too and probably realize that many people were restored from the dead in Chaos War I think going into Cody's resurrection would have bogged down the book with unnecessaruy history.

[kozzi24]

Better late than never. (OK, maybe not.)
I liked the issue, enough that I will be going on with the series. It's the last comic I am reading due to the difficulty in reading anything with my new status quo.

As other have said, I also found the characterization spot on. I like the idea of Mac being official leader but everyone acting as if Heather is leader. I happen to be totally in favor of Marrina's characterization changes. All that death and loss for someone so youing is bound to trigger anger issues, and an attitude that being nice got her nothing but victimized.

I liked the use of Kara but even after struggling to read through this thread and a few other things, I don't know why the name "Persuasion" was not used. It's a lot better than "Purple-something" as a name. I did get the feeling that the creative team just forgot about the name change. That happens...I still never read anything in the last ten years or so that convinced me that other creative teams did not forget that Purple Man DIED in the Emperor Doom GN. Hisd later pre-Bendis "resurrections" were the appearances of a metamorph Dead Ringer who was in possession of one of Killgrave's body parts from which Dead Ringer activated Killgrave's powers. My running theory is that the modern Purple Man IS Dead Ringer, taken over by the Purple Power, or willingly using it as a pretty useful power. But he should feel NO connection to Kara, except as a potential threat because her control and power seems stronger.

The other glaring thing that jumped out at me was the communication implants. My memory, which may be faulty is that Sasquatch, Aurora and Puck were the onkly ones who still had them implanted. Northstar had his removed, Marrina's was in her nechlace, and Shaman and Snowbird relied on mystical senses to know when they were needed. Mac and presumably Heather had equipment in the suit for notification. There's a lot of history that the creative team needed to wade through, so the mistakes are forgiven, as long as they are not repeated.

Hey, I for one cannot remember where Citadel came from...but as a "new" reader I did not find that not knowing the character's history detracted from the reading at all. And that was THE POINT of the issue. GREAT job by the creatiove team on that score. None of the characters seemed bogged down.

Shaman's anger at being cvalled an Indian did strike me as the only instance of things being out of character. It seems a little too "rebooted PC" to a character old enough to have grown up being called an Indian.

I did not find the issue "engrossing." But I did find it a worthwhile read and the first thing in ten or more years (since the Wolverine appearance where Aurora was kidnapped) that reminded me of why I loved these characters so much.

[Le Messor]

I liked the use of Kara but even after struggling to read through this thread and a few other things, I don't know why the name "Persuasion" was not used. It's a lot better than "Purple-something" as a name. I did get the feeling that the creative team just forgot about the name change.

I honestly got the same impression.


Shaman's anger at being cvalled an Indian did strike me as the only instance of things being out of character. It seems a little too "rebooted PC" to a character old enough to have grown up being called an Indian.

There was a lot of that in this issue.


Hey, I for one cannot remember where Citadel came from...

An issue of Wolverine: First Class that guest-starred Alpha Flight.

- Le Messor
That's right, I'm back.
Deal with it.

[rplass]

Giant person made up of people is back. Not so purple though:

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=preview&id=21603

I'm surprised this idea was used again. It didn't make sense in the physical world to have a pile of people but apparently it's possible in Mega-City One as well.

[Le Messor]

I think Judge Dredd often goes over the top with its sci-fi elements.
But I don't know what I'm talking about, I'm not a reader.

~ LM

[Phil]

I swear I read another recent Marvel comic recently where this was used again, too...

[Phil]

Or maybe I was just thinking of the Bamf's making Nichtcrawler's new body in AXM #5...

[Le Messor]

I swear I read another recent Marvel comic recently where this was used again, too...
...Or maybe I was just thinking of the Bamfs making Nichtcrawler's new body in AXM #5...

Come to think of it, that is a similar idea. But if we get into that, we get into all the Transformers that combine into one (they're just lest organic).

~ Le Messor
"Modern art is what happens when a painter stops looking at girls and persuades himself he has a better idea."
~ John Ciardi