Every so often, there’s an action movie that manages to bring something fresh to the table. Die Hard put John McClane up against seemingly impossible odds. The Matrix had Neo breaking the laws of physics to fight sentient computer programs. Taken not only reinvigorated Liam Neeson’s career but also proved there’s no age limit to ass kicking. This type of high-concept action thriller isn’t limited to the big screen, as the creative team of B. Clay Moore and Daniel Gete prove with this debut issue of Dispatched.
On the surface, Morgan Power seems like your average delivery driver. He gets packages to where they need to be, eats his lunches in his truck due to an intense schedule, and is usually friendly toward his customers. Yet this seemingly unassuming man was once a black ops operative struggling to put his dark past behind him. Things aren’t helped when one of his delivery runs happens to be in a building that’s currently being overrun by terrorists. With nothing but his skills and the packages in his truck, Morgan has to outwit the terrorists and keep the office’s occupants safe.
It’s a brilliant premise, made even more brilliant by how Moore approaches Morgan as a character. Readers first get a glimpse of his skills when he’s on a run and a dog jumps at him – without breaking a sweat, he grabs it by the throat and applies just enough pressure to knock it out. But in a therapy session for former soldiers, Morgan later confesses that he came extremely close to killing the dog, and he’s not sure how to deal with that. Moore doesn’t shy away from how war takes a toll on people even after they leave the battlefield, nor does he ignore the cruel irony of Morgan once again having to turn to violence in the closing pages of this comic.
Ignition Press
Moore’s script is matched by the immense detail that Gete packs into his art. Gete draws images that give readers a deeper look into Morgan’s state of mind, showcasing how he’s still struggling with PTSD. Pulling out his phone reminds him of drawing a weapon, while cutting up vegetables for dinner brings the rather dark imagery of slitting a man’s throat to mind. What makes those images so vivid is Lee Loughridge’s use of color, which drenches certain panels in red; not only does this contrast with the lighter colors Loughridge uses throughout the rest of the issue, but it also lends weight to the literal and figurative blood on Morgan’s hands.
It’s also what Dispatched #1 doesn’t say that gives its audience the deepest insight into Morgan. There’s plenty of hints, spoken and unspoken, that he never used to be the lone wolf the comic depicts him as. Not only does this tease a mystery that I hope is addressed in future issues, but it speaks volumes about how the cost of war can be more than the lives one takes. It’s also an approach that shies away from the typical sarcasm and tough exterior most protagonists in action stories have, which is refreshing.
Dispatched #1 brings a fresh approach to the action thriller, thanks to its layered protagonist and unique pitch. Between this, Extraction and Bad Thoughts, Ignition is fast becoming the publisher for great action comics.
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