Penultiman #1 Review

Writer: Tom Peyer

Artist: Alan Robinson

Rating: 7 of 8

Penultiman #1

What do you do if hordes of people love you... and you're still unhappy? I don't really know, and neither does Penultiman, the hero of this story. Despite the love he receives and the power he holds, he's still plagued by the fact that the people he wants the approval of most won't give it to him. It's a very relatable problem, one that can help bring even larger than life superheroes down to earth.

Though issue 0 preceded this, I don't think you need to read it to understand what's going on. The issue's pretty easy to follow and remarkably easy to get into. Much like Grant Morrison's All Star Superman, a few early panels succinctly sum up the hero's story without needing to bog down the issue with unnecessary exposition. It's some simple, but effective, storytelling, that I'd love to see more of in other stories.

Though the issue reminds me of other heroes, that's never to it's detriment. It's lovely seeing familiar elements of other heroes, like Superman's urge to see the good in even his enemies, reutilized with a new character. Even in his civilian identity, I'm reminded of another hero, with his inability to fully explain the truth to his cantankerous boss reminding me of the dynamic between Peter Parker and the remarkably gruff J. Jonah Jameson. 

This doesn't bother me, though and the familiarity, coupled with other elements, fills me with joy. Throughout the issue, Alan Robinson's art is consistently on point. Whether it's yells of frustration, an aerial hand stand, or a silent moment of disappointment, the whole team imbue their hero - and most of the cast - with a strong sense of emotion and life. Rob Steen's lettering is notably effective in a later scene, as Penultiman yells in unconcealed rage.

Overall, it's a very good debut, which I'd happily recommend. If you're looking for a familiar, but consistently effective, superhero tale, filled with emotion and bursting with life, I'd gladly recommend this.