Wildcats Vol. 1: Street Smart TP

Title: Wildcats: Street Smart TP
Publisher: WildStorm
Writer(s): Scott Lobdell & Joe Casey
Artist(s): Travis Charest, Richard Friend, Brian Hitch, Paul Neary, Carlos D’Anda, Anthony Winn, Scott Benefiel, and Trevor Scott
Letterer(s): Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Colorist(s): Justin Ponsor and Matt Milla with WildStorm FX
Cover Artist: Travis Charest
Collecting Issues: Wildcats #1-6

Let me start out by saying that I don’t have much exposure to the Wildstorm universe or even the Wildcats. The most I know really came from the old cartoon that came out in the 90’s on the USA network. But, at the time this series launch it was tremendous buzz surrounding the new artist Travis Charest super detailed pencils. So, I picked up the first couple of issues of the series to see what all the buzz was about and it was outstanding. Charest pencils were phenomenal, but in there lies the problem and why the book eventually became its own worse enemy. Because of the intense detail in the artwork the book started coming out later and later which killed all the momentum the book had.

Sitting down reading this I had no expectations since I couldn’t remember much from the original issues. I can say I loved that they focused a lot on Grifter throughout this arc he served as a point of identification for me. I felt he knew as little as I did going through the story and we learn developments as he learned so it made it easier to read. The problem with this story is that it wasn’t very new reader friendly so events and relationships were referenced from the previous volume. So, as a reader I felt alienated through most of read. I have to say that the story did enough to peek my interest to get the next trade to see where the story goes and hopes that they explain more of the previous events that were referenced in this first arc.

The artwork on the first three issue of this trade are beautiful and pretty much fully done by Charest and Friend it had just such a great rhythm through out. The problem came in the middle of issue four when the artwork changed in mid book. It was a noticeable change and it switched out randomly through the rest of the trade between three different art teams. Not saying that the art was terrible but it was a distinct change between the art teams.

Overall, this is not a book for everyone, but if you like nonstop action and some great character give this one a try.

Ratings (Out of 10)

Story – 6.5
Art – 8.0
Cover – 6.0
Overall Score – 6.8

Comic Book Savant