Empire City has become a crime infested cesspool, but it wasn’t always that way. The city was kept safe by a hero known as Crimson Justice, that was until he just disappeared. Now that a vile villain has made a return to Empire City, will this bring back the hero the city needs?

Whatever Happened to the Crimson Justice? #1

Written By Frank Tieri – Art By Inaki Miranda

Colors By Eva De La Cruz – Letters By Dave Sharpe

Edited By James B. Emmett & Michael Raicht

Published By Mad Cave Studios

***Minor Spoilers Possible***

Where Have All the Heroes Gone?

It’s nighttime in Empire City and former Police Commissioner Ted Burke is turning on the Red Alert Signal in hopes that it will bring back the hero known as Crimson Justice. Instead, it attracts a villain thought dead, Dr. Mayhem. The mad surgeon murders Burke in cold blood on that roof and leaves a message to taunt his former rival.

The next day, we meet John who owns a café in Empire City. We get to see crime is running wild, but John has come to turn a blind eye towards it. John is having a conversation with friend and patron Willie, where Willie brings up Crimson Justice and other heroes with great reverence. However, John dismisses these tales as Urban Legends.

Just then a crime boss, Frankie walks in with his small entourage, which includes a strung-out women named Sally. We find out Sally used to be a hero named the Scarlet Girl, but now she does “favors” for a scumbag crime boss. It’s at this time the news comes on that Ted Burke had been murdered. This sparks something inside of John, which leads to us finding out John has a big secret of his own.

Secrets Revealed

This first issue does a great job of building the world we find ourselves in. Frank Tieri does an expert job of giving the reader a great base story to build on, while drawing out some good mystery for later. The adult situations in the book make this story feel like it’s taking place in our reality. Things are not cut and dry in the real world, nor are they in this fictional world of Empire City. It is not a world of black and white, but rather one of shades of gray.

The art in this book is very good and matches the story perfectly. Inaki Miranda does an excellent job of bringing the world and characters to life. The art portrays the world like it was set in our reality, well still showing off some robust superhero styling as well. Eva de la Cruz matches the art and stories’ energy with the perfect color pallet. The more earthy tones with of course the perfect touches of red are impeccable.

Check Out My Review of Exquisite Corpses #1

Final Thoughts

Whatever Happened to the Crimson Justice? #1 is a great first issue to kick off this series. Its adult theming and realistic setting make for a fresh feel for the genre. This is a book that should definitely be on your list to pick up at the LCS this week, and if you are anything like me this will become an addition to your Pull List as well.

Overall Grade: 10/10

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