The opening lines of the first issue sums up The Standard best. “This is the story of a hero, and the boy who would become one. Ordinary people, just like us. Ordinary people who live extraordinary lives.” In the pages of the story published by Comixtribe, written by John Lees and drawn by Jonathan Rector, we meet Gilbert Graham, The Standard. He’s the first superhero and greatest hero in Sky City. Years later, he’s retired and is teaching high school students chemistry while his former sidekick, Alex, has taken over the mantle of The Standard. Now, after a gruesome fight in his apartment, Alex is dead.
The issue is told in two different time periods: The early days of The Standard and Alex and those days after Alex’s death. We see Gilbert’s initial meeting with Alex and how he came to care for the boy, even going so far as saving his life with a formula designed to recreate his powers. We see their first adventures and how they grow closer together over time. In the present, we get to see Gilbert mourn Alex. In his mourning he decides that the world needs The Standard again and he’s the only one that can do it.
John Lees obviously loves the superhero genre, and with great reason. It’s the foundation of modern comics and still has so much potential. With this story, while the heroes are extraordinary and command great powers, they’re also very deeply human. They grow old and get fat. They feel guilt for the crimes they couldn’t stop. They make questionable decisions. In short, they’re just people. And while many comics attempt this, few of them feel as convincing as The Standard. In the same way that it’s dark and features death, there is hope; hope in the people that are extraordinary. And that’s really what superheroes are all about.
The art of Jonathan Rector is well-suited for the book. It’s detailed and expressive, letting the reader see the pain and anguish that Gilbert experiences in his mourning. At the same time, it captures that feel that old superhero comics gave. There’s a lot of fun and happiness held within the pages too, which is a nice break from some of the more serious moments.
While being a truly indie comic, this is classy stuff. It’s a great mix of writing, art, and concept. Everything comes together to make a genuinely good issue and another great installment in a good series.
Art: 8/10
Script: 9/10
Parental Concern: Moderate. Blood, violence.
