Back in 2024, Lee Loughridge made the move from comics colorist to comics writer with MidState. Now, having explored the realm of psychological thrillers, Loughridge teams up with artist Marz, Jr. (Transformers: The Worst Bot Ever) for a little slice of YA superheroes with The Adequates.
Here, we delve into Savannah High, a public school run by a series of cliques. Whereas the nerd-jocks (The Elites) may rule the roost, The Adequates are the outcast weirdos just trying to get by. Until, of course, when on a field trip to the Bonaventure cemetery, our five lovable losers (Julie, Chad, Randy, Pam, and Grey) accidentally acquire superpowers. With their favorite teacher subsequently possessed by a demon, The Adequates will have to “join forces with The Goths in the hopes of expelling the demons to save Mr. Woods and the school.”
Admittedly, you may have already seen key parts of The Adequates before. (It’s got real Mean Girls meets Misfits vibes, for sure.) But that only creates a foundation of similarity, and from there, Loughridge’s knack for earnest storytelling, mixed with Marz’ quaint but personality-rich drawing, will draw you in. The final experience is hugely entertaining, a spin on tried-and-true superheroes and teenage drama that’ll leave you feeling more than adequately satisfied. Outright pumped, even!
The Adequates #1 arrives this week (April 14) via Comixology. Ahead of that release, we caught up with both Loughridge and Marz for a brief but important Q&A about the squad’s members, high school turmoil, and what lies in store across The Adequates.
Courtesy of Comixology.
AIPT: Lee, your writing debut was in the generally great MidState. What lessons/insights did you take from that into The Adequates?
Lee Loughridge: Really just pacing…and not shoe-horning the comedy into the story.
AIPT: There seems to be an interest in superhero comics about exploring youth and maturity and underdogs. What’s that continued interest here — why does The Adequates focus on weirdo high school kids clearly out of their depth?
LL: Well, frankly, I think if well-adjusted studs acquired superpowers that would be pretty boring. Everyone can relate with being the insecure outcast at some point in their lives. I think this creates empathy and allows the reader to root for these kids from the very start.
Courtesy of Comixology.
AIPT: Walk me through the design and look-feel of this world. It feels a little like a ’90s cartoon meets a ’90s sitcom, and was that on purpose or just a happy accident?
Marz: Animation is definitely an influence on my style. I ate cartoons for breakfast, lunch, and dinner as a kid. I always dug the quirky ’90s animation style. After we decided to base the story in the ’90s, I leaned heavily into it! The cliques’ intro, especially, is very ’90s influenced.
AIPT: A little two-parter: 1) Is there a member of The Adequates you relate to the most and 2) how much of this story is born out of personal experience(s)?
Marz: High school wasn’t my favorite time. As a freshman, I was terrified of upper classmen flushing my head in the toilet, much like The Adequates.
Courtesy of Comixology.
LL: Hmmm, good question, probably Grey or Tweak at times. This story is peppered all the way through with personal experiences; we just took these experiences and put them on steroids.
AIPT: What little tidbits and teasers can we expect from the rest of the story?
LL: There will be an unlikely alliance, a massive school scandal, and an incredible reveal that makes mince meat of any of the trivial problems these kids are currently facing.
Courtesy of Comixology.
AIPT: If you were “gifted” an “adequate” power, what would it be and why?
Marz: Grey’s ability to see into the future…I would become a card game wiz!
LL: Grey’s. To see 15 seconds into the future, but maybe lose the 14-second stutter.
AIPT: Is there anything else we should know about The Adequates, comics, superheroes, growing up, bullies, etc.?
LL: Sometimes a gift becomes more of a curse. It helps if you band together with a trustworthy group of people to help you through all of the pitfalls that high school presents.
Courtesy of Comixology.
Courtesy of Comixology.
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