Tales of the Union Vol 1 is my recommendation for getting into an exciting indie comics superhero universe. Junction City Comics is a publisher I’ve been following since they appeared on Comixology Submit. But after that service folds into the lackluster Amazon Kindle service, they had to find a bigger field. Thankfully the Comix Well Spring Bookstore got what I needed, an anthology with everything superhero fans love.
Junction City Comics
From New Union Avenue Philadelphia, Junction City Comics have put their best foot forward. Their premiere title is the All-New Union! Wait “All-New”, we’re not even going to see the classic Union? Not unless the “remastered” status on Tales of the Union Vol 1 means anything. In any case, the world’s populated with meta-humans people with extraordinary powers. From the classic bricks to the bizarre powers of the Fancymen, they’re all around. But 14 years after an explosion causes massive damage, meta-humans have gone into hiding. Most people have taken the anti-superhuman attitudes of Redux, a cult that fought the classic Union. But what about before all the drama set in?
Tales of the Union Vol 1 Meet The Heroes
That’s what writer Randal Clark makes this anthology all about; a genuine love letter to superheroes.
Readers get a chance to see the world before the Union gets wiped out. In a few stories, we see its figurehead Madam Union show her full glory. The way she speaks her cheesy one-liners with enthusiasm shows how much she loves her job. Her husband Savage Swift meanwhile lives a challenging if fulfilling life as a stay-at-home dad. Being a speedster who can be in Paris for breakfast but struggle to keep his patience while doing chores feels very relatable. Plus seeing the Union in action in The Power Within really displays their aspirational qualities. It makes the fact they were wiped out all the more tragic.
Of course, the Union aren’t the only heroes. There are plenty of surreal magics with the Reever and the Sandman-esque Everlasting. They bring an enriching experience so that nothing ever looks dull. Can’t forget about the hammy Golden Cape, a lovable idiot you can’t stay mad at. Even as he wreaks as much havoc as his adversaries. Makes me wonder where they went.
Artists At The Junction
Each artist in Tales of the Union brings out the strengths of each story by genre. For example Jazz Miranda illustrates a straightforward and attention grabbing scenario. Sometimes that’s through characters displaying eye-catching emotions through facial or body language. Other times it’s through bold outlines over important characters. To say nothing of the colorful costumes by Mike Woods.
Then there’s the ink heavy artwork in “You Can Be Everlasting”. Marcus McGuire gives an air of mystery and unease with this splotchy art. With how much the setting changes per page, it hooks readers in with an empathetic connection to POV Jennifer. They react as much as she does at how odd or confusing it can get. Or who Jennifer’s mysterious house guest is.
Finally I’d like to highlight Douglas Mora Aguilera‘s art in “The Destiny Deuce”. A bit of the comedy comes from comedic juxtaposition between panels. Like a Gameboy losing power, or the dullard Bonecrusher standing perfectly still compared to Madam Union’s dynamic action in the same panel. It really conveys Bonecrusher’s single-minded character, not minding the danger he’s in.
Check Out Tales of the Union Vol 1
Tales of the Union Vol 1 features probably the most new reader friendly introductions to Junction City Comics. Under just one writer, an entire universe of colorful characters is ready to connect with an audience. With the amount of artists showing its many sides, somebody’s bound to have a good time. Final rating: 9/10.
Thanks for coming to the end and as always remember to look between the panels.