Breakpoint Ten were once among the most skilled soldiers in a battle against galactic evil. Now, they’re just the people next door. Your Major Spoilers review of Free Agents #1 from Image Comics awaits!
FREE AGENTS #1
Writer: Kurt Busiek and Fabian Nicieza
Artist: Stephen Mooney
Colorist: Triona Tree Farrell
Letterer: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Tyler Smith
Editor: Kel Simons
Publisher: Image Comics
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 3, 2024
Previously in Free Agents: They’ve fought every day of their existence and won a terrible victory. Now they’re stranded on Earth, free agents for the first time. But when relics from their long war appear, threatening their chance at better lives, their greatest battle begins. They’ve fought for a million planets. Can they fight to save their own souls?
THE COSMIC BATTLE HAS BEEN WON
Our story opens in Jersey City, as an alien war machine threatens the population, only to be opposed by seven alien warriors. Team leader Salvo and his squad (earth golem Ridge, feral Maraud, bladed warrior Katari, “enviromancer” Chalice, living electromagnet Shakti, and sorta/kinda wizard Pike) are able to make short work of the thing, which they know is a Konqur-3 tank weapon, but its presence signals more trouble on the horizon. Though they seem to be a normal group of students and young folks, they used to be warriors against The Argive, a universal conqueror they believed dead. Worse still, their former commander died with him, which then raises an important question.
If no one knows they’re on Earth, and The Argive is no more, exactly what are its weapons doing in New Jersey?
COVERS A LOT OF GROUND
Thanks to some extra pages (at no additional cost, I might add), this issue manages to give us a great example of the old adage, “Show, don’t tell.” Rather than hearing about their days as soldiers and the loss of their old commander, we get to see it firsthand, thanks to the team’s neural implants and a shared dream. We get to see a little of each character’s perspective, and even those who don’t get a lot of screen time (specifically Ridge and Chalice) get a solid thumbnail sketch to help us understand their place in the cast. The big final page cliffhanger moment is also well-handled, especially the “NOT FREE AT ALL” blurb for the next issue, which makes me happy. It also makes me wonder if Nicieza and Busiek, two creators known for their twists and turns, have something completely unexpected in store. As for the art of Stephen Mooney, it’s probably the biggest indicator that we’re not looking at a classic ’90s-era Image book. Each character has a wide range of expressions and emotions, making for some lovely moments both in battle and out. Katari and Maraud have a wonderful flirty sequence that ends in a dance club. That gives us the one real visual weakness of Mooney’s work, in that some of his posing feels a little stiff and “frozen,” another callback to the Image Age of Comics.
BOTTOM LINE: HOPING FOR A NICE LONG RUN
The setup is complete and well done, leaving Free Agents #1 with hope for excellence, giving readers the premise, characters, and pitch that could go fifty issues, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars overall. With the minds behind Thunderbolts, New Warriors, and Astro City combined with Mooney’s fresh visuals, it’s well worth your time.
Dear Spoilerite,
At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.
FREE AGENTS #1
It's a first issue that has its bases covered, reminding me of the debut of WildC.A.T.s and Youngblood back in the day, with lovely, detailed art throughout.
-
Writing6
-
Art8
-
Coloring6
Once upon a time, there was a young nerd from the Midwest, who loved Matter-Eater Lad and the McKenzie Brothers... If pop culture were a maze, Matthew would be the Minotaur at its center. Were it a mall, he'd be the Food Court. Were it a parking lot, he’d be the distant Cart Corral where the weird kids gather to smoke, but that’s not important right now... Matthew enjoys body surfing (so long as the bodies are fresh), writing in the third person, and dark-eyed women. Amongst his weaponry are such diverse elements as: Fear! Surprise! Ruthless efficiency! An almost fanatical devotion to pop culture! And a nice red uniform.