Tribal Force begins anew in Machine Comix! If anyone remembers the Thunder Eagle post, the first try didn’t go so well. But it looks like the new artist comes with a new layer to the story, and it’s all for the better.
Tribal Force Recap
Here’s one reason the original “run” didn’t go so well: excessive excess. It was a lot of flashy visuals and not enough characterizations. Not to mention beliefs that go over a casual reader’s head. So what does this do to get more attention?
Grounded In Character
Jon Proudstar refocuses the narrative around Nita, a troubled Yoeme Diné girl. In the new number one issue, readers experience how her upbringing has shaped her. Because of Nita’s father sexually abusing her, she has trouble trusting any authority. Kids her own age aren’t much better, not seeing Nita past the dirt and grime of her living conditions. Her only sense of goodness is interacting with an old woman who gives Nita comfort in the Diné ways. But even that is challenged, since Nita’s father uses their nation to keep a social worker who could help away.
Nita could really use a hero, but the only one who could help is a world away. Thunder Eagle bears the weight of that world falling to ruin with the death of its Nita. Now he has to try again and he’s going to face an uphill battle. The spirits who watch and guide him have little confidence that things can get better with how Nita is.
Is This Tribal Force’s Last Chance?
The reader can feel this tension, while Nita dreams of Thunder Eagle they can’t help but worry. Considering the Nita of the other world was Thunder Eagle’s girlfriend, who knows they’ll interact. Nita already had to deal with a big man making her feel worthless; how can Thunder Eagle change that? Will he even be able to do it without being patronizing?
Honestly, those are the kind of questions that offer a challenge that readers like to see.
New Tribal Force Art
Now’s a good time to go into that new art team. Chris Williams… is not to be confused with ChrisCross! Because that’s a disservice to an artist with some distinct accomplishments! Let me give you an example:
Too basic? Alright how about this?
Need more than pin-ups? Well, check out this comic or Summons! Honestly, words can barely describe how much this new art serves Tribal Force. Sometimes it’s the angles that show how Nita sees the world around her, overwhelming while she hides behind bravado.
Jake Isenberg’s inking meanwhile emphasizes some actions like how bold Thunder Eagle’s despair looks when holding his old world’s dying Nita.
Of course, none of those would be half as good without GENE (Jimenez). He quadruples as the producer, layout designer, colorist, and lettering to make each page memorable. Whether it’s how Thunder Eagle’s red costume contrasts with the darkness of outer space, or how the lettering placement gives weight to a situation. This is the work of somebody who genuinely wants this fresh start of Tribal Force to succeed.
Are You Ready For Tribal Force?
We’ll definitely be coming back to this series as it continues on with the second issue on the horizon. But making new first impressions, it comes back with twice the strength. The characters have arcs that readers can look forward to, with the art phenomenally showing how. Everyone involved is ready to make Tribal Force what it was meant to be, a comic with a fresh perspective.
For now this gets 9/10.
Thanks for coming to the end, and as always remember to look between the panels.