Dynamo 5 off to a good start

[ColonelLee]

Picked up a copy of Dynamo5 #1 today. Got a bit of a riff on Superman in it. That is, if Superman had a bunch of illegitimate kids.

The book gets off to a good start and shows a lot of promise. I'm looking forward to #2.

[Jay Faerber]

Thanks, Colonel!

~ Jay

[geordiesteve]

Sounds good, really looking forward to getting this book. Should be picking it up at the weekend with a bit of luck.

[The Sentry]

I hope this will be easier to find than Cap # 25 ! ;)

Looking forward to reading it this weekend.

[Joe Acro]

I really enjoyed this issue. I especially like the end twist because, not only does it help explain a nagging problem I had while reading, but it makes the story a bit more interesting than I had anticipated.

I think I would've liked a name for the group they are fighting in the issue, but I guess we won't be seeing them again anytime soon for it to matter.

Also, why did Hector talk about himself in the third person? That seemed strange.

It was a great issue, though. I recommend it.

[malephoenix]

Can someone please do spoilers/summary?

[annihilator]

My LCS better have ordered this, looking forward to it
:D :D :D :D

[ColonelLee]

Thanks, Colonel!

~ Jay

And thank you, Jay for a good new book.

I see today where Hannibal Tatu has picked Dynamo5 #1 as a Jump from the Read Pile. His ultimate honor. Which is also a real good start.

[keithtalent]

I don't see what all the fuss about. The art work is decidely mediocre, and the story is formulaic at best, at worst it looks as if it is written as a 10 year old's homework assignment.

New to comics so maybe I am missing some subtle references to comics past, or to the genre as a whole.

Granted there is a twist at the end, but it is not a particularly exciting twist, in fact it is the sort of thing that could have gone unsaid and one would have assumed it to be the case anyway- after all isn't this the sort of thing that happens in comics all the time. (Being purposefully obtuse to avoid spoiling the story for those who haven't read it).

From page 1 I felt disappointed and my disappointment only grew as I read it, if I hadn't paid money for it I would have stopped reading. I certainly will not buy any more copies.

I am genuinely interested in what people who have enjoyed think makes this a good comic. As I say perhaps I am missing something.

[Jay Faerber]

And thank you, Jay for a good new book.

I see today where Hannibal Tatu has picked Dynamo5 #1 as a Jump from the Read Pile. His ultimate honor. Which is also a real good start.
I saw that! But I was kinda scratching my head, wondering how it was on the Read Pile in the first place, since this was the first issue. But I love Hannibal, so who am I to question his ways?

~ Jay

[Roons]

I thought it was an excellent first issue, jumps right into the action and establishes the team really well without dragging it out over multiple issues (JLA anyone).I's thoroughly recommend this book, it feels quite like Ultimate X-men when Millar was writing it (which is a very good thing), the art is great and I can imagine this is going to turn into a really strong title.

[malephoenix]

Anybody with spoilers and summary? Anybody?

Bueller? Bueller?...

[jeangreydp]

I really like this book.

I think the art is very pretty and the concept is fun. The dialogue is modern, which I like.

Really cool book, I think I might be in love. :)

The owner of my LCS sold out of this book. Looks like it may be a hit!

[MadBastard]

I'm a bit confused by something in the ending with Maddie. Maybe someone here can shed some light on it. It looks to me like she shoots someone, throws away the perfectly good gun in her hand, only to draw out a second, identical weapon in order to shoot a second person?

Anyway, there's a dissenting opinion over at Silver Bullet Comics (http://www.silverbulletcomicbooks.com/reviews/117347017619929.htm).

[ColonelLee]

I read your dissenting opinion. Eh, whatever. You like the concept and the story, but the dialogue doesn't get it for you. And Maddie has too many guns. None of which bothered my entertainment value.

I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason why Maddie has a lot of guns. I don't know what it is, maybe we'll find out in Dynamo5 #2. :)

[MadBastard]

I read your dissenting opinion. Eh, whatever. You like the concept and the story, but the dialogue doesn't get it for you. And Maddie has too many guns. None of which bothered my entertainment value.

I'm sure there's a perfectly good reason why Maddie has a lot of guns. I don't know what it is, maybe we'll find out in Dynamo5 #2. :)

The number of guns isn't what confuses me. After all, having more than one gun assures that you won't get killed for a lack of shooting back. My question, is why did she throw away the one gun after only firing a single shot from it? Is it some sort of one-shot special government space gun? Does F.L.A.G. only allow its agents to carry around pistols that are loaded with one round? Did it jam?

Perhaps Maddie has the same level of expectation of her firearms that Colonel Lee has of his comics.

[Jay Faerber]

The number of guns isn't what confuses me. After all, having more than one gun assures that you won't get killed for a lack of shooting back. My question, is why did she throw away the one gun after only firing a single shot from it? Is it some sort of one-shot special government space gun? Does F.L.A.G. only allow its agents to carry around pistols that are loaded with one round? Did it jam?

The intent was that Maddie was attempting to make it look like the Veil agent and the Veil leader shot each other. That's why she was wearing gloves, too. Then she drops each gun near the respective bodies and ... voila! Instant frame-up. I guess that sequence could've been clearer.

~ Jay

[Jay Faerber]

Anybody with spoilers and summary? Anybody?

Bueller? Bueller?...
You're not gettin' anything out of me. You want to find out what happens -- read the book! :)

~ Jay

[MadBastard]

The intent was that Maddie was attempting to make it look like the Veil agent and the Veil leader shot each other. ~ Jay

Ahhhh! Thanks for taking the time to clear that up. I knew there had to be something I missed.

[keithtalent]

I am struggling to see why people think the artwork is good in this book. Clearly there is room for aesthetic judgement and disagreement in such issues but it looks to be an empirical fact that for example the faces lack detail, that the shading is a bit too on/off and that the colouring generally feels a little bit Watercolour Challenge. The inking generally looks crude with some panels suffering from deformed people as a result.

Re the story, there really isn't one that a 10 year old could not have written: here's how the people were created, some radiation, and let's beat some bad people up, then shock horror, there are some things we don't know about the characters. Now perhaps we are used to this sort of thing from comics, and we happily accept an attrocious first issue re story knowing that things have to be set up, and so we are anticipating something better- if so fine, but this is no reason to argue that this issue is itself good, rather it is reason to suspend judgement about whether the series as a whole will be any good.

Compare this to what I take to be a genuinely good first issue story like Ellis's New Universal, this built suspense, gave some background, but didn't walk you through everything, it left some things unsaid, and importantly it didn't feel like you were being lectured at about the backstory, rather the backstory was integrated with the narrative, it was almost a by-product of the story that you learnt these things. Dynamo 5 however is just incredibly blunt, it feels like you are being talked at, it feels utterly contrived, to repeat it feels like some kind of poor homework assignment.

[Tre Styles]

I enjoy team books, and this one is off to a good start. I like how it flows as a basic origin story without getting too convoluted. At the end, you can tell there is more to the story than meets the eye, but overall, it's a good set up and introduction to the team and it's various characters. It also helps to establish the main characters' personalitites in the single origin pages. It seems that each character not only inherited their father's powers, but bits of his personality as well. I'm particularly fond of Slingshot, an intelligent and driven character. It's not clear, but is flight her only power, or does she have some slight speed and strength as well?? Visionary is cool, but seems to be the stereotypical geek as well as Scatterbrain who on the opposite side is the stereotypical jock....at first look...I think he's going to learn to overcome that and use his telepathic powers to the fullest, but really can't right now because, well, his thinking is limited. Myriad is going to be interesting, not because his powers of shapeshifting, but because he seems to have that same "charm" as his dad did with the ladies, but also has some wits about him as well. Scrap is just cool all around. I think she has the most potential, and personality next to Slingshot. And Maddie Warner is just as intriguing with her secrets and why she really gathered these illegitimate children of Captain Dynamo.

[ColonelLee]

Compare this to what I take to be a genuinely good first issue story like Ellis's New Universal

Well, both Ellis's Newuniversal and Dynamo5 bring new concepts to comics. It is really easy to like them both.

I can't see your quibble with the art of Dynamo5. Many have praised the artist as an exciting new talent. He'll probably be working for Marvel one day. Maybe on Newuniversal. :)

[Joe Acro]

I am genuinely interested in what people who have enjoyed think makes this a good comic. As I say perhaps I am missing something.
For me, I enjoyed it because it has many things all in one tight package. It has action. It has character explanations. It has a little humor. It has a twist at the end. I was expecting this to be a preliminary issue (as many first issues are), but I was thankfully surprised.

Also, the art, although not wonderful, was decent. It at least conveyed what needed to be conveyed.


One question: If Dynamo had "laser vision", then how is it that Visionary can see through things?

[Jay Faerber]

For me, I enjoyed it because it has many things all in one tight package. It has action. It has character explanations. It has a little humor. It has a twist at the end. I was expecting this to be a preliminary issue (as many first issues are), but I was thankfully surprised.

Also, the art, although not wonderful, was decent. It at least conveyed what needed to be conveyed.


One question: If Dynamo had "laser vision", then how is it that Visionary can see through things?
Cap had numerous vision-related powers, and Visionary inherited all of them.

~ Jay

[Tre Styles]

Jay,

I'm curious....and I'm pretty sure the answer is forth coming, but how did Maddie know for sure these kids were Dynamo's? Did she check the DNA? Blood samples? What? Or did she just make that educated guess and hit them with radiation to see what happened?

Also are there traits the kids share? I know they have their differences, but in what ways are they the same?

[Jay Faerber]

Jay,

I'm curious....and I'm pretty sure the answer is forth coming, but how did Maddie know for sure these kids were Dynamo's? Did she check the DNA? Blood samples? What? Or did she just make that educated guess and hit them with radiation to see what happened?

Also are there traits the kids share? I know they have their differences, but in what ways are they the same?
Those are all things you'll have to keep reading to find out!

~ Jay

[Joe Acro]

Jay,

I'm curious....and I'm pretty sure the answer is forth coming, but how did Maddie know for sure these kids were Dynamo's? Did she check the DNA? Blood samples? What? Or did she just make that educated guess and hit them with radiation to see what happened?

Also are there traits the kids share? I know they have their differences, but in what ways are they the same?
I'm waiting for the issue where we learn that one of them isn't Dynamo's child.

I believe, though, that Maddie just cross-referenced the names in the little black book with things like birth records.

[zeroEDGE]

Finally got the chance to get this and read it. I loved it, the art and the story are enjoyable to read... kinda reminds me of Nextwave... sort of.

[torippu]

Looks like I am also going to jump on bandwagon and say that I greatly enjoyed the first issue of Dynamo 5 as well. I haven't really read much from Jay since his days with Terry Dodson on Generation X but was pleasantly surprised when I read this the other night. Interesting concept, decent art from a comics newcomer (my thought is that he's only going to get better) and a twist ending. My only concern is that I haven't been reading Noble Causes and I have a sneaking suspicion that F.L.A.G. has been in the that book. Can someone give me the backstory on this character/organization? Are they like a Hydra/A.I.M./Cobra type bad guy organization? If so, how do they differ from The Veil (was that the group or just the leader?) introduced in this book?

Trip

[Jay Faerber]

Looks like I am also going to jump on bandwagon and say that I greatly enjoyed the first issue of Dynamo 5 as well. I haven't really read much from Jay since his days with Terry Dodson on Generation X but was pleasantly surprised when I read this the other night. Interesting concept, decent art from a comics newcomer (my thought is that he's only going to get better) and a twist ending. My only concern is that I haven't been reading Noble Causes and I have a sneaking suspicion that F.L.A.G. has been in the that book. Can someone give me the backstory on this character/organization? Are they like a Hydra/A.I.M./Cobra type bad guy organization? If so, how do they differ from The Veil (was that the group or just the leader?) introduced in this book?

Trip
DYNAMO 5 #1 is the first appearance of both F.L.A.G. and The Veil, so you'll be filled in as we go, just like everyone else. You're not missing anything by not having read NOBLE CAUSES (except some damned fine comics, that is!).

~ Jay

[geordiesteve]

Gah, my two local comic shops had sold out! I've had to go to my trusty online backup comic guy in the south. Should be here by Saturday.

[Joe Acro]

DYNAMO 5 #1 is the first appearance of both F.L.A.G. and The Veil, so you'll be filled in as we go, just like everyone else. You're not missing anything by not having read NOBLE CAUSES (except some damned fine comics, that is!).

~ Jay
What Noble Cause comics lead up to the start of this comic? (As in, the build up--if there was one--and death of Captain Dynamo.)

[Erwin Heinek]

What Noble Cause comics lead up to the start of this comic? (As in, the build up--if there was one--and death of Captain Dynamo.)

I don't recall any mention of Dynamo in Noble Causes but there was a Superman-type hero who died "in the saddle" in the Image run of Powers. I don't know if that is the same character though but I'd like to think it is. ;)

[Jay Faerber]

What Noble Cause comics lead up to the start of this comic? (As in, the build up--if there was one--and death of Captain Dynamo.)

Captain Dynamo's two main appearances have been NOBLE CAUSES: EXTENDED FAMILY #2 (his first appearance) and then his death in NOBLE CAUSES #18. He had a brief, non-speaking cameo in NOBLE CAUSES #7, too.

~ Jay

[Troy Wall]

I just read and enjoyed it very much. Mahmud's art has grown tremendously over the past several years...been watching his work evolve on Digital Webbing for quite some time. I'm just a lowly writer and don't know much about art....but I know what's purty, and Mahmud's art on this book is just that.

I think the dialogue was just fine. A couple of scenes involving the leader of the Veil actually made me smile, i.e. "My lawyer will have me back on the streets within the hour."

Why all the hate from that one guy on here? Opinons are one thing, but you're really going out of your way to trash this book. Newuniversal's first issue was certainly not the masterpiece you make it out to be....I found it to be largely boring and uninvolving. That's not to say it's not a good book, however--the subsequent issues have hooked me.

[Papergirl]

Keep it civil, or I start deleting posts. And believe me, I DO have far better things to do with my time today. Debate opinions, not people. Got it?

~Bev

[Verminous]

I picked up this book because of all the positive buzz, but sorry Jay it just didn't do anything for me. Maybe I was expecting too much especially from the twist ending having heard that it was a great cliffhanger, am I missing something subtle I don't know but it seemed a perfectly reasonable course of action to me. Perhaps that says more about my mindset than anything else I suppose.:o

[torippu]

DYNAMO 5 #1 is the first appearance of both F.L.A.G. and The Veil, so you'll be filled in as we go, just like everyone else. You're not missing anything by not having read NOBLE CAUSES (except some damned fine comics, that is!).

~ Jay

Thanks for the update Jay. I'll be pre-ordering the book starting with #3.

[sgt pepper]

I also noticed that a segment of issue one seems to have been cribbed from Bendis's Powers. The general premise of the series seems like a unique enough idea, though.

If someone suddenly exposed me to radiation without warning, I'd be plenty pissed. "No wonder he cheated on you!"

[Jay Faerber]

I also noticed that a segment of issue one seems to have been cribbed from Bendis's Powers.
Which part?

~ Jay

[Jay Faerber]

I picked up this book because of all the positive buzz, but sorry Jay it just didn't do anything for me. Maybe I was expecting too much especially from the twist ending having heard that it was a great cliffhanger, am I missing something subtle I don't know but it seemed a perfectly reasonable course of action to me. Perhaps that says more about my mindset than anything else I suppose.:o
No apologies necessary! I'm glad you gave it a shot.

~ Jay

[keithtalent]

I just read and enjoyed it very much. Mahmud's art has grown tremendously over the past several years...been watching his work evolve on Digital Webbing for quite some time. I'm just a lowly writer and don't know much about art....but I know what's purty, and Mahmud's art on this book is just that.

I think the dialogue was just fine. A couple of scenes involving the leader of the Veil actually made me smile, i.e. "My lawyer will have me back on the streets within the hour."

Why all the hate from that one guy on here? Opinons are one thing, but you're really going out of your way to trash this book. Newuniversal's first issue was certainly not the masterpiece you make it out to be....I found it to be largely boring and uninvolving. That's not to say it's not a good book, however--the subsequent issues have hooked me.

Thanks for addressing my post Troy, you seem to echo the opinions of a number of people. I guess I am still at a loss to see what is pretty about the art work. I am sure that this a sincere report of your beliefs, and others appear to share those beliefs. What I am genuinely struggling to see is why people hold those beliefs. I would be interested to hear articulated the reasons why people think the art is pretty without this I am getting nothing more than a piece of biographical information about the poster rather than something that could persuade me to change my mind. I am open to changing my opinion about this, as I say in another post I am new to the comics genre so may well be missing some subtlty, just as a modern art neophyte might initially dislike a Pollock and grow to like it as their taste becomes more refined, and they begin to appreciate the references and relevance of the art.

Similarly I cannot see the appeal of the dialogue, the piece you quote doesn't look particularly new or exciting, if anything it looks hackneyed. That is not to say that such phrases don't have their place, only that if this is what is picked out as a high point of the dialogue it doesn't bode well for the rest of the book.

For clarity the purpose of this and other posts is to elicit responses that will enable me to gain an understanding of why people enjoy this book, and perhaps to enable me to enjoy it too. This book has been given good reviews by a number of people but to my mind (for reasons already given) these reviews seem entirely misplaced. My natural assumption is that I must be missing something and I'm interested to hear what this is.

Thanks for the comments on New Universal these are useful. I guess where you found it boring I found it intriguing, and where you found it uninvolving I found the opposite to be the case. Now I am conscious that I am guilty of my own charge of merely swapping biographical data here so I should say more. I found issue 1 to be well paced, it did not spell everything out but rather left things unsaid and made one want to pick up future issues to see how the story evolved. It felt like an uncontrived narrative though, it seem like a natural renedering or reporting of events that happened to tell a story. In contrast Dynamo 5 felt like a story for a story's sake. I was conscious throughout that I was being told a story: I could feel the storyteller's marks throughout, rather like one might see the construction lines on an architectural drawing.

What particularly intrigues me about your comment on New Universal is that despite your critcisms you argue that this does not make it a bad book, that future issues have hooked you. Is something like the anticipation of this effect in play when Dynamo 5 receives such high praise? My question is something like this- if Dynamo 5 were for some reason never to have another issue released (even though this was the intension) would many of my comments hold? But that since it is part of an ongoing series people have praised it in anticipation of how it will develop in future issues? As a methodology for critique this appears slightly odd though, for while there are pointers at how the series will develop they are only that, and there is certainly no indication that the general storytelling or dialogue construction will improve in future books.

I notice that one or two people rate the book because of its originality. Originality may well be a prerequisite for a good book (although perhaps the originality might be somewhere other than the story- originality in style of delivery for example) but this is not sufficient to make a good book. It seems that more is needed and that this more is lacking to my mind.

As a more general point the aim of critique is just that- to provide a critique of a work. Critiques can cast a favourable light on work just as they can draw attention to a work's failings. In the former case it is not the aim of the critic to cast a favourable light on the subject rather the aim is to provide an accurate critique. Similarly, in the latter case the aim of the critic is also to provide an accurate critique- if the work in question turns out to be worthy of negative critcism then that is in part what the critique will consit of; but this does not mean that the aim of the critic was to malign the work. The aim of the critic is merely to provide a critique, the work dictates in large part the tone of that critique.

I look forward to hearing responses from all.

I trust and hope that Jay Faerber, who I notice is posting here, doesn't take this as a personal critique or attack, rather an honest reporting of my opinions about the book and my reasons for holding those opinions.

[geordiesteve]

couple of small spoilers below for anyone who hasn't read it. SPOILER!!!!!!!! You were warned.

Finally found time to read this yesterday, and I really enjoyed it. Lots of info to get across and it was handled very well for a first issue, set things up nicely and some nice twists. Especiall giving telepathy to the former jock. It would have been easy to give it to the brainy student, or give him super-strength.

Quite refreshing to be honest, given the event overload at the moment, also there is no baggage with these characters, it's a blank slate, something I enjoyed with Invincible, a whole new playground to build from the ground up.

One small question, is this book an ongoing? I really hope so.

[Jay Faerber]

I trust and hope that Jay Faerber, who I notice is posting here, doesn't take this as a personal critique or attack, rather an honest reporting of my opinions about the book and my reasons for holding those opinions.
No worries, man. Everyone's entitled to their own opinion! There are plenty of books out there that tons of people like that I can't stand.

~ Jay

[Jay Faerber]

One small question, is this book an ongoing? I really hope so.
It's ongoing, and it's monthly.

~ Jay

[geordiesteve]

It's ongoing, and it's monthly.

~ Jay

That's great, thanks. Looking forward to seeing where this goes.

[Verminous]

No apologies necessary! I'm glad you gave it a shot.

~ Jay

Glad to see there are plenty of people who are enjoying the book and as I said all the reviews I've read have been very positive, best of luck to you and I hope it works out as well as Noble Causes for you.;)

[Riley]

I hope it works out as well as Noble Causes for you.;)
I'm hoping for even better.:)

[saintsaucey]

i picked up the book on the reccomendation of my dealer. I enjoyed it. I don't read much non big name stuff. only marvel and dc but this book is going on my pull list

[torippu]

Does anyone know when issue #2 is scheduled to ship? I thought that I saw it on one of the early shipping lists for this week, but that has been replaced by the reprint of #1. Maybe next week?

[Jay Faerber]

Does anyone know when issue #2 is scheduled to ship? I thought that I saw it on one of the early shipping lists for this week, but that has been replaced by the reprint of #1. Maybe next week?
It'll be in stores next week.

~ Jay

[torippu]

It'll be in stores next week.

~ Jay

Thanks! I have started to pre-order Dynamo 5 starting with issue #3 so I need to make sure that I make it to my LCS on a Wednesday to pick up #2. When I picked up the first issue, there were only 2 copies left on the shelf when I got there around 11:30AM.

[Riley]

It'll be in stores next week.

~ Jay
Next week!? Yikes, I better finishing colouring it then.

[torippu]

Next week!? Yikes, I better finishing colouring it then.

You're kidding, right? I thought I saw a preview over at popcultureshock this week...

[Deathstroke]

I really enjoyed the first issue of the series. It got things off to a great start and introduced a heck of a twist at the end.

[Riley]

You're kidding, right? I thought I saw a preview over at popcultureshock this week...

Yes, I'm kidding, it was finished some time ago. But thanks for falling into my trap of tomfoolery.:D

[torippu]

Yes, I'm kidding, it was finished some time ago. But thanks for falling into my trap of tomfoolery.:D

Sarcasm just doesn't translate to the printed word, eh? :)

Looking forward to reading the next issue this week.

[saintsaucey]

wow the writer graces us with his pressence im touched. seriously jay good work. you impressed my dealer and that is saying a lot. but damnit. thats one more book i have to have someone else pick up for me un till i start preordering it

[Parallax48]

I personally like having a second monthly title that both my wife and I can read, and then talk about. The other one is obviously Noble Causes. It's great to be able to let her into my "secret" world of comics.

[torippu]

Did anyone read #2? Another great issue if ya ask me with enough mystery and intrigue to bring me back next month! What was the purpose of Whiptail's rampage?

[Jack]

I love this book. The Image superhero "universe" just keeps getting better and better, as far as I'm concerned.

[Joe Acro]

Although it was frustrating that I didn't know the villain's motivation in issue #2, I understood it. We're following the Dynamo 5 and seeing things from their perspective. They didn't learn the answer, so we didn't either.

Still, it was a good issue. Not as good as the first issue, but still better than some things I read.

[kevhines]

Well I finally caved to the good buzz on this book (on various review sites) and gave it a try.

I waited so long because a) 'another super hero book' tends to make me want to spend my 3 dollars somewhere else. and b) years ago I tried Noble Causes and wasn't wowed by it.

But I really enjoyed Dynamo 5. Its a blast. Fun idea - but more importantly a very engaging execution.

Now I guess have to think about checking out the recent Noble Causes stories.