On the Rack: C.O.W.L. #1

C.O.W.L. #1 is a new, distinctly noir comic that will give you a new perspective on superhero books. The premise is that C.O.W.L. is a superhero labour union devoted to keeping the streets of Chicago safe. The acronym stands for Chicago Organized Workers League, and it was founded by Geoffrey Warner, aka the Grey Raven, to stand against organized crime and the threat of the villainous Chicago Six. After years of dedication, C.O.W.L. faces a disinterested public and the risk of becoming obsolete.  In addition there are other risks to the organization coming from inside their offices as well.

Writer Kyle Higgins is joined by Alec Siegel. Higgins knows something about the noir genre; he’s best known for his work on various Batman titles including co-writing the first five issues of Gates of Gotham with Scott Snyder and his experience with the Dark Knight shows here. C.O.W.L.’s heroes are super-powered, but they share far more in common with Batman than Superman. They are real people; flawed and troubled, each one has a back story that is only hinted at in this first issue. Unfortunately the first issue struggles with its large cast. There are too many characters to get to know any of them, but the hints of their pasts are compelling enough to hold a reader’s attention. Higgins will without a doubt slowly dive into each character as the series progresses; the first book hints at a complex plot that will be told through character development.

On top of the rich and complex world that Higgins and Siegel have created, Rod Reis’s art is stunning. Each panel is masterfully expressive in its monochromatic colour palette and rich textures. The stylized art adds depth to the story and is mesmerizing to look at. Overall, C.O.W.L.’s debut is impressive; it establishes the tone for the series without revealing too much and sets the pace for what will undoubtedly evolve into a successful and compelling series.