Brain Boy, Vol. 1: Psy vs. Psy

This comic brings together exemplary writing, an engaging combination of line technique and vibrant coloring, and a hero whose imaginative abilities make him a fascinating character. Matt Price is Brain Boy—not that you should ever call him that—and his combination of telepathic and telekinetic powers make him a deadly foe of anyone wanting to mess with national security interests. Having lost his parents in a freak accident, he was taken under wing by their employer, Albright Industries. However, if you’re the world’s most formidable user of psionics and you can channel them to levitate, fly, and blast the heck out of your enemies, it won’t take long before you attract a foe of equally formidable power. There are lots of things to like in this graphic novel. Van Lente (Action Philosophers, Incredible Hercules) weaves a complex plot that matches perfectly with the subject matter. Silva’s action sequences are terrifically energetic and colorist Ego’s lively palette gives everything even more punch. Where the book excels is the characters’ highly emotive expressions, which tell the story without words and heighten the drama of what could be a standard action tale. (June)