When Wednesday rolls around, I usually know what I’m going to get when I get to the comic store. However, I often like surprises. In terms of comics they usually come in one of two forms, either recommended by someone, or in the case this week, I just so happen to stumble on the book. I already had my weekly stack of what I knew I was getting sorted out, but I thought I’d look down the shelves a little bit and see if there was anything that caught my attention. I absolutely love when I get caught off guard by a book I had no idea even existed. There was a specific cover that popped off the shelf, it looked like a superhero book and the artwork was very familiar. So I grabbed this new superhero book, saw “IDW” in the corner and the name “John Byrne” listed after the writer’s name. I knew the art was familiar, but IDW putting out a superhero book with John Byrne doing the artwork? Not to mention, the hero on the cover looked great and his powers looked fairly unique, and he was battling a giant gorilla. And then there’s the title of this book… simply FX. I knew there was no way in Hell I could pass this book up. Completely judging the book by its cover, the horribly rainy day didn’t seem that bad.
So what is FX all about? Well apparently IDW Publishing is breaking away from the licensed properties a little bit and creating their own superhero universe. Do I have a problem with this? Absolutely not, I love superheroes, I love the genre, and superheroes are what make comics what they are. Unfortunately, one of the pitfalls of the superhero genre is that most of the good ideas are taken, so this day and age it’s all about what makes a superhero unique. Well if you look at the basics of the protagonist in this story, whom for the sake of clarity I’ll just call FX, his basic story is not unlike that of Peter Parker. He’s not the coolest kid in school and he’s often picked on by the larger, “jock” students. The other thing to note about this character is that he doesn’t have any “great tragedy” that usually befalls a superhero and makes them commit to justice. Personally, I’m all for that idea. I think the idea of a superhero only being born out of some tragedy is often a bit over-the-top. Sure it adds some sense of conflict and some flaw to the character, but like Mark Millar’s Kick-Ass, why can’t a guy be a superhero because he actually wants to? There’s nothing wrong with that, and if you get powers like FX has, and you want to be a superhero, so be it. Besides, there’s plenty of time for conflict to spring up as the story progresses.
So what is it exactly that FX can do? Well, he can do exactly what his name says, effects. However, these effects come to life. Basically, all he has to do is think of something, in the case of this issue a bazooka, gun or rocket, and whatever it is will basically form from his body and he can manipulate it as he needs. It’s really damn cool, and a really creative idea. For example, in order to fly, he has to think of a jet, then a jet-like energy field will surround him and he can fly as if he were a jet. Basically, it’s kind of like how Green Lantern’s power ring works, just without the whole willpower thing. Personally, I fell in love with this title based on the cover alone, but it just kept getting better. Okay, so I admit some aspects of the character are very similar to other superheroes, but like I said, it’s hard to come up with a new superhero these days unless there is something new, fresh and different. FX’s powers are definitely different and the way he gets them aren’t really what you’d think.
So how does a teenager get powers that enable him to create tangible special effects? You might think he was carrying radioactive chemicals and was caught in an explosion. You might think he suffered a terrible accident and had cybernetic implants with upgradeable CGI software straight from Skywalker Ranch. You might even think he’s from another planet or that he was born with these abilities. Well, the answer might surprise you. The origin of FX’s power is actually unexplained. And with this bit of information, folks, we have our first plot thread. He’s in the woods, stick-fighting with his best friend when suddenly he sees some strange light and something happens to him. His best friend doesn’t see what we see and it results in FX getting knocked out. I’m very curious as to whether the blow to the head will result in his powers being triggered or if it was a simple plot device to get from point A to point B. Either way, when his power do manifest, we are treated to a very well done, albeit obligatory, sequence where he learns to use his powers. It’s like every 12 year old’s fantasy to be able to do what FX is doing.
So FX naturally decides to wear his new costume to school. A simple black hoodie with red “FX” letters and camouflage pants. I love the early costume because it is essentially the type of thing that a young teenager would have access to. And of course, the first super-villain that FX encounters is a giant, intelligent gorilla named Silverback. How could you possibly go wrong? I’m just a little curious as to why a villain like a giant gorilla is kept in a zoo but I don’t care, it’s a giant gorilla. The fight between FX and Silverback is very well done. It shows off what FX can do and exactly how powerful he can be, and I must say it’s quite interesting. Of course, the real villain is introduced after FX mysteriously gets sent a new costume.
John Byrne is all over the place lately. He’s doing a great JLA: Classified story with fellow DC legend Roger Stern and he’s doing some other great work for IDW. I’ve always been a fan of Byrne, I grew up on his stuff and his work ages well and also evolves with the times. He’s been in comics a long time and he’s still at the top of his game. There’s really not much else that can be said about John Byrne.
FX is definitely the surprise hit of the week. It’s fun, fairly original and plays off of the superhero genre extremely well. His powers are original and visually stimulating and there is a great deal of room for the character to grow. Wayne Osbourne and John Byrne have struck gold and IDW’s superhero universe is shaping up to be very intriguing. This is my Pick of the Week.
What did you think of this book?
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