Publisher: Image Comics
Writer: Ed Brisson
Artist: Brian Level
Publication Date: 28th October 2015

Who doesn’t love a good origin story? The problem is that in a market so saturated with new titles and re-imaginations of old ones, it’s difficult to make them stand out. On the face of it, the Mantle itself – a power which selects it’s next avatar who can then consult with former Mantles in purgatory – is not the most original concept, which isn’t a great start.

However, the book manages to step clear of the crowd with a few interesting twists that I won’t spoil for you, but it does struggle to fill out the supporting characters that we need to care about for the story to have the best impact. We do really connect with our protagonist by the end of the book but by then the story seems to have petered out rather than just be beginning.

The artwork is stunning, both gritty and ethereal when appropriate, notably merging some clean superhero colour schemes with a liberal application of gore at points. Blood really shows up against a white & electric blue outfit… The contrast between dingy hideaways and flats and the cleanliness of purgatory or the Mantle in full flow makes for a visually striking experience.

I’m left at the end of the book having enjoyed it but not feeling that there is any hook for future Mantle stories and it’s not like I’d make a point to seek this title out again. Good but not exceptional.

Rating: 3/5.

The writer of this piece was: Chris Napier
Christopher Tweets from @chriscrowing