Written by: Joseph P. Illidge
Art by: Darryl Banks, Atagun Ilhan
Colors by: Christopher Sotomayor
Letters by: AndWorld Design
Cover art by: Denys Cowan, John Stanisci, Christopher Sotomayor
Cover price: $4.99
Release date: November 20, 2024
Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet #1, by DC Comics on 11/20/24, begins a new chapter in Milestone history when S.Y.S.T.E.M. acquires a new boss and Rocket acquires a new team... maybe.
Is Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet #1 Good?
On first read-through, writer Joe Illidge's latest contribution to the Milestone Universe pays full respect to the original Milestone vision and forges a path forward with new metahumans, new threats, and a new team (maybe) for Rocket. All the pieces are there, but new readers may have a challenge getting invested.
Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet #1 begins with an Alva corporate jet flying high in the skies as the occupants discuss plans to take advantage of Fear, Uncertainty, and Doubt after the recent Brainiac invasion. Military contracts are up, weapons development is more cutting-edge, and all the Alva executives are getting richer by the day. Suddenly, a woman enters the plane via a portal, kills the lead executive, and takes his chair. Angela Alva has arrived to take control.
Elsewhere, Rocket intervenes in the kidnapping of a drug money launderer for the world's largest cartels. Guided remotely by Curtis Metcalf, a wanted fugitive and superhero known as Hardware, Rocket stops the kidnapper and wraps up the money launderer for the authorities. Later, Rocket and Calvin bump heads over their secret objective of taking down criminals whose absence makes a real difference in everyone's lives.
Rocket quits the bickering in favor of a well-earned night's sleep. However, her rest is cut short when she receives an automated alert about an attack on a passenger train hosting an auction for arms dealers eager to get their hands on Brainiac tech abandoned after the invasion was halted months ago.
The issue ends with a team of powered individuals beating Rocket to the punch, an invitation to follow outside the confines of known time & space, and an introduction to the residents of Wonderland.
What's great about Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet #1?
If you're a Milestone fan, Illidge's latest crack at bringing the heroes to the fore with action, danger, and drama on a large scale has all the pieces you're looking for. Rocket, the main character, perfectly embodies a superhero burdened by the unending work of making a difference in a tough world while still choosing to do what's right.
Plus, the introduction of the Shadow Cabinet is just weird enough to make people take notice.
What's not great about Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet #1?
There are several individual pieces to like in this issue, but Illidge's debut on Milestone is a struggle on two fronts.
First, the issue contains a lengthy preface page to explain what is the Milestone Universe and who the key players are in it, but a lot's happened to connect the basics of the preface page to where this issue starts. Therefore, a new reader will be mostly or wholly lost because Illidge's script drops you in the middle of a plot already in progress. The stage isn't set.
Second, a new story needs, at a minimum, a focal character, a goal, and the establishment of stakes. Illidge only provides one of the three. You can surmise that Rocket is the focal character, but we don't know what challenges she will need to eventually overcome or the consequences if she fails.
Sure. Yes. You could say there are villains doing bad things, so the general goal is to stop the villains, but that goal is too broad and too generic to have any meaning. Rocket is simply bouncing from one scene to the next, reacting to external circumstances or expressing her feelings at the moment, but that's not enough.
In short, Illidge set up Rocket's status quo without giving you anything more to hook you.
How's the Art?
Darryl Banks and Atagun Ilhan do a tremendous job maintaining the classic look of the known Milestone characters and giving you an eye-catching surprise with the introduction of the Shadow Cabinet. Further, the issue has a decent amount of action that looks great.
About The Reviewer: Gabriel Hernandez is the Publisher & EIC of ComicalOpinions.com, a comics review site dedicated to indie, small, and mid-sized publishers.
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Final Thoughts
Milestone Universe: The Shadow Cabinet #1 turns up the heat when Rocket must contend with untouchable criminals and a new super team from parts unknown. Joseph Illidge keeps the spirit of Milestone alive with a well-paced, action-packed issue, and the art team's delivery is on-point. That said, the script spends too much time establishing a status quo for Rocket without defining a goal or stakes for the story, so there's no hook to grab you.
6/10
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