The Resistance: Reborns

The Resistance: Reborns

AWA Upshot Studios 2021

Written by J. Michael Straczynski

Illustrated by C.P. Smith

Coloured by Snakebite Cortez

Stemming from the pages of the hit series, The Resistance, The Resistance: Reborns explores the origins of the newly superpowered humans after a global disaster leaves hundreds of millions dead in its wake, causing a few thousand to suddenly manifest superhuman powers. This special collection explores the origins of five characters in this new universe of heroes and villains including The Mad, the Dangerous, The Hidden, The Lost, and The Transcendent.

Here is what’s to love about this, if you are a fan already then this is just a preview of what’s to come, however, if you are new to the franchise than this is a perfect jumping on point for you. This is one of those rare issues that gives you an indepth look into the mindset of a set of characters as they find themselves relating to this new world they find themselves in. this is a gorgeous book and it really is character driven in every sense of the term and I think that we get these vingete’s that tells us their story is so perfectly done by Straczynski.

I am a huge fan of the way that this is being told. Each segment feels like it is done in the same manner and with this kind of familiarity as we move through the pages while each one still feels unique is some serious demonstration of mad skills. The story & plot development that we see through how the sequence of events unfold as well as how the reader learns information is presented exceptionally well. The character development is utterly phenomenal to see. How the characters are brought to life through their dialogue alongside how they act and react to the situations and circumstances they encounter continue to flesh them out. The pacing is superb and as it takes us through the pages revealing their stories as well as the twists & turns along the way we are treated to this gorgeous in depth look into the people, who they are as well as what they represent.

I am enjoying seeing how this is being structured as well as we the layers within the story emerging. Along with how well everything works together to create the story’s ebb & flow is really simply beautifully done.

The interiors here are utterly gorgeous. Before I get into too much I have to commend the utilisation of the page layouts. There is such an innovative way that we see the panels within the pages and how large and few we see on any given page that make this as dynamic and powerful as it is. C.P. does this incredible job of not only utilising the layouts but in how he utilises the linework and the varying weights and techniques to bring this to life in these fresh, new and spectacular ways. Seriously sometimes it feels like photographs that have been digitised onto the page and you know it’s all done with pen and ink. How we see the angles and perspective in the panels show such a magnificent eye for storytelling. Snakebite and his colour work is extraordinary to behold. How we see the various hues and tones within the colours being utilised to create the shading, highlights and shadow work show this innate skill, talent and eye for how colour is supposed to work. Add all of this with the creativity and imagination that we see and you are just left mesmerised by what you see.

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Since their first book hit the stands AWA Studios has firmly entrenched itself as one of today’s best publishing houses. The only thing I wanna see is Jim Krueger’s The No One’s brought over otherwise with franchises like this it’s no wonder why we see such amazing storytelling time and time again.