There are a few unwritten rules in the world of superhero stories. Chief among them is the fact that most characters don’t really age. Peter Parker and Wally West will forever be in their mid to late twenties, Clark Kent and Bruce Wayne in their thirties, ad infinitum. While this makes sense for some characters – particularly Thor and Wonder Woman, who have immortality literally baked into their genes – it does feel like some of these characters aren’t really allowed to grow. Thankfully, Midlife (Or How To Hero At Fifty) #1 from Brian Buccellato, Stefano Simeone, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou provides the perfect antidote with its titular character.
Firefighter Ruben Kwan has hit a major rut in his life. He’s dealing with the detritus of a failed marriage, a major life change in his second marriage, and some crippling survivor’s guilt over the death of his father. To top it all off, on his 50th birthday he learns that he’s literally fireproof – but will this new superpower be the answer to his problems or only further compound them?
Image Comics has been slowly revolutionizing the superhero game during its 30 year tenure. From Invincible to Radiant Black, there have been plenty of fresh new takes on the world of capes and cowls, courtesy of Image. It only makes sense the publisher would once again offer a new take on the genre with Midlife – the idea of a superhero midlife crisis is too good of an idea to pass up. It helps that Buccellato’s script slowly builds up to the discovery of Rueben’s powers, while showcasing the details of his life. Here’s a man whose life didn’t turn out like he hoped, and who may have a legit chance at a second act; that to me is just as compelling as punching villains in the face. Plus the opening sequence is a hoot (as well as a masterclass in metafictional commentary.)
Simeone’s artwork is another way Midlife stands out from the rest of the superhero pack, especially with how it straddles the line between realistic and cartoony. Rueben isn’t built like Captain America or Superman; there’s gray in his hair, he gets aches in his joints, and he always seems to keep his head down despite being the tallest man in the room. Simeone also utilizes colors in a unique way to center Ruben, shifting through various palettes wherever he’s located. The opening sequence is shaded in hues of red, while Rueben’s home takes on a melancholy blue and bright reddish-orange streaks the skies of Los Angeles. This is one of the few “realistic” superhero books that isn’t drenched in darkness and misery, which I love.
Finally, Otsmane-Elhaou delivers some of the most inventive lettering to ever hit a comic. Title locations are as large as the buildings they hover over. Words go small when a character whispers, or big when they start yelling. There’s even handy captions that point to various important events at the book, including Rueben’s discovery of his powers. It’s rare that the letters feel as big as the story or art, but Otsmane-Elhaou is determined to stand out as much as his collaborators.
Midlife (Or How To Hero At Fifty) #1 continues Image Comics’ superhero revolution, delivering an older hero in an entirely new situation. If you want something new in the realm of superheroics, pick it up. If The Boys isn’t your speed, pick this up. It has to potential to be one of the biggest superhero comics on the stands.
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