Com.x’s 45 is a 132 page graphic novel that follows journalist and soon to be father, James Stanley. When he and his wife decide to forego a test that would determine whether or not his unborn child has the Super-S gene (a gene that gives a person superhero abilities), James embarks on a mission to interview 45 super-powered individuals to gain insight on what his life will be like if his baby is born with the Super-S gene. While on his quest he finds himself on the radar of a powerful government agency known as XoDOS.
45 is told in a new and unusual way. Each of the 45 interviews is told in transcript form with a page of artwork accompanying it. Each piece of artwork is illustrated by a different artist.
I have to admit the format of 45 is unique and takes some getting used to, but by the 3rd interview I was engrossed in the story. The world of 45 takes place in the present, in a reality where comic book heroes exist…as fictional characters, whose copyrights make it difficult for the real heroes to come up with decent names. 45 also gives us it’s original take on world events.
I really enjoyed the fact that the story is told through so many different perspectives. There are interviews with Super-S (people born with super-powered abilities), 2nd degrees (people who gain their power through circumstance), Norms (people with no abilities) who have a loved one with an ability, Vaders (Super-S or 2nd degrees who prefer evil ways) are also interviewed, along with active and retired heroes.
The interviews feel more like short stories than transcripts, and there is something for everyone… stories of heroism, greed, envy, regret, love, and loss.
Andi really knows how to tell a story. I felt as though I was reading a movie script and I could see each scene play out in my mind, and the artist’s interpretations are amazing. I loved looking over the artwork to try to gain some insight of what I was about to read. After reading each interview I looked over the artwork again, and in a weird way it was like looking at it for the first time…I could see the story unfold in the illustration. It was a new and satisfying way to read a comic.
45 will be released in comic book shops within the next couple of weeks. Keep your eyes out for it; it is a definite must read!
If you want to know more about 45 check out our interview with Andi.
45
Written By: Andi Ewington
Art Work By: Liam Sharp, John Higgins, Sean Phillips, Charlie Adlard, Jock, Lee Garbett, Admira Wijaya, Carlo Pagulayan, Rodin Esquejo, Matt Timson, Neil Edwards ,Trevor Hairsine , Andie Tong ,Rufus Dayglo , Dom Reardon ,Sally Hurst ,Andrew Wildman, Stephen Thompson ,Jeff Anderson, Frazer Irving , Ben Oliver , EduardoFrancisco , Dan Brereton, Barry Spiers , Robert Atkins , Fiona Staples , Bob Wiacek , Boo Cook, Gary Erksine , Ross Dearsley , Lee Carter , Sean O’Connor , Kevin Kobasic , Dave Ryan, Randy Green ,Tim Vigil ,Simon Coleby , Calum Alexander Watt, Steve Sampson , Kit Wallis , Anthony Castrillo ,Seb Antoniou, Dan Boultwood, Dan Fraga, Kenneth Rocafort
Published By: Com.X