The Twilight Experiment

Longtime collaborators on such series as Power Girl and Jonah Hex, Gray and Palmiotti take a chance on less familiar material, and the result is mostly good. The story begins with the climactic final battle between Serenity and the Righteous, the last remaining superheroes on Earth. Serenity sacrifices her life to defeat the megalomaniacal Righteous; however, it turns out that she has a superpowered son named Michael hidden in a satellite. The narrative splits its focus between Michael and his first journey to Earth's surface, and Rene, a paramedic who lost her sister during Serenity's battle with Righteous. Rene and Michael end up working together to save the world, as they discover that they are connected in a way they never imagined. The writing is snappy and often funny, and Santa Cruz's vibrant artwork is a treat. Unfortunately, the story feels rushed, and neither Michael nor Rene get the multidimensional characterization they need. Righteous is the most compelling character, as, in spite of his methods, his ultimate goal was peace and stability on Earth; he's a nuanced villain who adds much to the story. (June)