Review: CYBORG #1

Writer:  David F. Walker
Penciller:  Ivan Reis
Inker:  Joe Prado
Colorist:  Adriano Lucas
Letterer:  Rob Leigh
Publisher:  DC Comics

The hero Cyborg has been around since 1980, mostly as a supporting character in different iterations of the Teen Titans.  With the introduction of the New 52, Cyborg was made one of the founding members of the Justice League.

Every member of the Justice League had their own solo series except for Cyborg.  His inclusion in the Justice League was an opportunity to diversify the lineup from a group primarily of white males.  If only Cyborg could be showcased in his own comic.

DC Comics finally listened to their fanbase and launched Cyborg #1.  The creative team of David F. Walker, Ivan Reis, and Joe Prado look to humanize the man behind the machine.

What I Liked

I enjoyed that Walker made a point to focus on establishing Cyborg’s supporting cast.  All we know about him involves his appearances in the Justice League.  We meet his father Silas Stone, Dr. Morrow, a potential love interest in Sarah, and a former high school football opponent Sebastian Cardona.

Walker takes us into the mind of Victor Stone.  How his parents always ignored him.  Made Victor feel invisible.  Victor wants to be seen as more than a science project to gawk at.

Having superstar artists Ivan Reis and Joe Prado onboard helps solidify Cyborg as an A+ level book for DC.  Readers are accustomed to Reis and Prado contributing  to blockbuster events like Multiversity, Green Lantern, and Aquaman.  Aquaman is a pretty good barometer for Cyborg.  When Aquaman launched in the New 52, he initially wasn’t taken seriously.  But DC put all their support to the title with Geoff Johns and Reis.  Over time, fans came to recognize Aquaman’s importance.  Cyborg is at the same juncture in his DC career.  All it takes is the backing of management.

What I Didn’t Like

Even though the potential villains are introduced (Technosapiens and Tekbreakers), they lack motivation.  This will clearly be fleshed out as the series continues, but for now, they come across as mundane.

Also, when Cyborg shows his father how he last died, no one thinks to ask him who he was fighting?  If an enemy is strong enough to kill Cyborg, one would think they are worth investigating.  Cyborg seems to brush the entire situation off.

Timdogg

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE