Man, it’s difficult to write for Interpop Comics with a catchy headline, SEO’s everything. In any case, thanks to YouTube channel, Casually Comics I got a chance to look into a new indie publisher. Unlike most indies who use platforms like Comixology or Indy Planet, Interpop builds itself up their way. Here users can actually own their digital content and can trade them as NFTs. Wait aren’t NFTs controversial? That better mean this gets my website more attention. But I’m not here to talk about that stuff, I’m here to give recommendations.
Interpop Comics Disclaimer
Before I go too deep into things, don’t worry, I’m not telling you to throw money at stuff you might not even want. These issues can be read for free, you just won’t own them that way. I mean I found The Nine #0 to be kind of slow until its climax, so I don’t plan on owning that. Also be mindful that I find variant covers to be controversial in how they exploit collector’s mindsets. Especially since some of these NFT variants cost over $200. I mean sure some of these look cool, but I think the story matters more.
The Best Heroes of Interpop Comics (So Far…)
So here’s the deal, Interpop is putting together the Emergents universe with superheroes that thankfully diverge a bit. I see a lot of superhero designs and powers that look pretty boring and don’t engage me enough. Although I am finding myself wondering why two popular characters share traits with Batman.
The Abyss
My first recommendation The Abyss details a pulpy supernatural vigilante, think Batman meets the Spectre; and the first to get his own solo title after appearing in the Emergents Presents anthologies. This combatant is able to instantaneously travel through any sort of darkness; even something as small as the shadow of a henchmen’s jacket can get him out of tricky situations. He also has the ability to instill fear through eye contact, which is a lot easier when Abyss drags people into a shadowy pocket dimension. When Abyss puts his voice into it he can command people to do as he tells them. The only catch is, it’s tied to a magic spell that allows Abyss to use those powers for an hour at a time. But he also has to offer some dangerous people to his supernatural benefactor Sister Night at least once a year to keep his powers.
Fortunately, he is martial arts master in “forgotten” combat techniques; based on the stances and movements, probably from Muay Boran and Subak. It’s also possible he has military training given how well he can use a gun. So even when he runs out of power he can put up a fight.
Who is he?!
Among most of the Emergents, he shares a lot of traits with the Caped Crusader. Like Batman, the Abyss trained a number of pupils including Bookworm and one of his rogues Ixnay. Not only that, the Abyss is able to get an idea of how his enemies think by getting into their head spaces. But what really makes him interesting is how he’s a mystery for readers to solve; the only clues are how his allies and enemies reflect him. Which is really handy because Abyss likes to keep to himself. Abyss’ rogues like Memento Mori for example reflect his inner turmoil on lines he had to cross.
Bookworm
Now for another Batman pastiche; or is Bookworm more of a Robin? Aaron Peterson has a conditional photographic memory that allows him to recall everything he reads in physical text. Give him a book with how to do Taekwondo, he’ll recall it. But there’s another side to it that can be a burden. He’s not able to forget about anything he reads including when someone writes in his journal. When one of Bookworm’s classmates writes insults in his journal, Bookworm is understandably a little peeved. Plus since Bookworm had a match with that student the next day, the insults and privacy violation throws him off a bit. Besides just because Bookworm can recall it, it doesn’t mean he’s a master of combat.
Fortunately Bookworm’s also a student in psychological warfare, giving the student the battle but uses his insecurities to win the war. Yeah Bookworm’s a pretty compelling case in terms of character. He comes across like a noir detective with how people insult him. In a few other scenarios he would be both a good investigator like when he rescues a suicidal student. Or in the Nine, where he’s instrumental when it comes to the time travel plot.
So What’s His Profile?
As for his character, Aaron’s generally kind hearted and ready to put himself at risk to fight injustice. For example, Bookworm revealed a classmate’s extreme discussions on alt-right forums to the faculty. Then there’s getting books to kids in an ultraconservative boarding school who banned certain titles. But Aaron’s not really a social butterfly like his internet personality of an older brother Bantam. He prefers to stay out of the spotlight, but is still willing to socialize with the right people. Even then he still struggles with trying to be social when he wants to be. He can’t read people as well as books, but he is learning how to communicate better.
#ZoeMG (Pronunciations Vary)
Now let’s go for the character that got me to this publisher in the first place, and the only one that doesn’t feel derivative. ZoeMG is the first Interpop character to have her own solo series. Partly because the creators are putting in a lot of effort in presentation. The creators hammer home that Zoe is still a teenager trying to express herself and find recognition. Becoming an influencer with the power to display her emotions and induce emotions in others through manifesting emojis can do that.
But she still has some issues she has to work on. For a while she couldn’t properly control her powers which leads to scenarios that cause some insecurities on her part. Have you ever been one of those people who just hang around someone for money? Plus depending on the intensity, Zoe could induce emotions on the entire Eastern Seaboard. This also allows Zoe to have goals and potential for growth. Naturally, that also means a few awkward if compellingly human situations, like Zoe’s admirers. But this in turn helps flesh out how Zoe interacts with others and recognizes how to manage relationships. Just the process of making her superhero costume feels like a journey with how she wears inspiration.
Varia Comics… Under Construction
To diversify its content, Interpop Comics also has another imprint focusing on fantasy, Varia Comics. Reign revolves around collectible NFT cards that players use to get characters to do certain actions. It allows them to complete the story in a few different ways. Realms of Varia meanwhile is a more traditional epic fantasy with different campaigns going on. NFT owners’ votes influence where the story goes in each. One character was dead only to be resurrected in a different form after sacrificing herself, the process was entertaining to look at anyway. Then there’s Celestial Hunters where border patrols hunt down immigrants because they have magic. Yeah, the hook here is the suspense and the votes to see where it goes.
Keep Your Attention On Interpop Comics
So far Interpop Comics is really coming together in playing the long game for stability. Aside from the three characters I went over, some characters are compelling in their own right. I mean Ted Naifeh wrote a piece about the theater kids. Not only that, a team called The Nine is where all of the action happens with world building and cosmic developments. Makes me wonder if One Blue Land’s characters will cross over someday. Come on Captain Bitcoin is perfect for these NFT first comics.
Besides the inks not dry yet. As always thanks for coming to the end and remember to look between the panels.