The washed-up superhero referred to only as the “Deadbeat” is a regular at Mac’s Bar, where he spends most days planted on a barstool knocking back Yoo-hoos in a dirty glass (for the buzz, of course). The Deadbeat’s life carried on day after day until one rainy afternoon when everything changed in the span of a single thunderclap. You’re my dad,” a young woman named Vera said to the Deadbeat. The character can no longer ignore the painful events of the past.
The Deadbeat, written and illustrated by Jeremy Massie and published by Alterna Comics, isn’t another tired superhero story, but rather a very human tale using superhuman heroes as its backdrop to explore the trials and struggles of ordinary men and women. Telling the story of the Deadbeat and his daughter, Vera, the father and daughter are reunited after years of separation due to lies and deception. Upon rediscovering each other, Vera and her father quickly form a bond despite their distant and troubled pasts. Super teams, shrinking potions, aliens—its all present in the pages of The Deadbeat. Massie smartly uses the superhero genre of comics as a symbolic milieu, relaying to his audiences that no one has a perfect life, not even heroes that are able to soar through the sky.
The narrative is largely direct and straightforward; it doesn’t waste any time getting straight to the point. At times I was left longing for a little bit more face-time with the Deadbeat and his daughter, but overall the speed at which the story moves is often advantageous to the spontaneity of the plot. The book, which is being marketed as a graphic novel for young adults, will serve as a great threshold for young men and women alike who are interested in comic books.
Vera, for example, is prone to kicking an ass or two, sometimes in the name of justice, while other times she does so under darker circumstances. The enticing element of Vera’s character is the contemporary feminist tone she has. Flawed, attractive, and strong, Vera is an encouraging portrayal of women in comics that I haven’t seen since Jessica Jones in Brian Michael Bendis’ Alias or Kitty Pryde from Joss Whedon’s Astonishing X-Men. Many of the character’s actions are complicated and even tormented at times, making Vera an appealing figure that reaches beyond gender limitations.
A major strength of the comic is Massie’s skill as an artist. The Deadbeat not only offers illustrations that have a fun cartoon-like quality, but Massie’s artwork never fails to deliver emotional and moving imagery when necessary. Massie’s artistic talent is complimented by his keen sense of panel layout (an art form itself), setting up his shots with flowing precision that tells his story better than words ever could. Ranging from good action sequences to detailed reaction shots, the book’s flow has a cinematic quality at times. There are also some amusing details tossed in from panel to panel, such as the Deadbeat wearing his costume’s boots to bed.
Overall, The Deadbeat is a delightful story that uses the clichés of superheroes to its advantage rather than its ruin. The graphic novel is a fast and smooth read, but a wholly enjoyable one. Serving as an excellent portal into the world of graphic storytelling for young men and women alike, the book will introduce anyone new to comics not only to the conventions of the medium, but also to the struggles we all face as people living our lives day to day. The Deadbeat is definitely worth keeping an eye out for when it hits the shelves this May.
This comic book review originally appeared on Comic News on 03 March 2009.
