Comic Review: Crossover #1

Image Comics

Writer: Donny Cates

Artists: Geoff Shaw & Dee Cunniffe

Letterer: John J. Hill

If you are reading this review you probably have a love for superheroes. Why wouldn’t you? Superman, Spider-Man, and all the other cape-wearing characters do more for us than most could ever explain. Their legacies are more than the stories they tell. Superheroes are ingrained in our culture and for a lot of humanity, our ideals, and personalities.

So what would happen if all those fictional heroes were suddenly real? Crossover explores this idea and accepts the mayhem that would come with it. I really don’t want to spoil anything that happens in this issue. Just know that while the story might be somewhat familiar, the concept has never been implemented in such a bombastic way before. Donny Cates has something special here. The fantastic creative team that accompanies him helps to bring everything to life.

Crossover #1 is full of references to the great heroes in the industry without coming across as insincere. As outlandish as the concept is, everything that happens in this issue is believable. Readers will quickly feel pulled into this world. This is mostly due to the few characters introduced in this debut. The protagonists (And maybe antagonists) all have believable motives and actions throughout the issues. Most of the Crossover #1 takes place in a comic book shop, complete with the sights and personalities that most comic readers are familiar with. Cates does an excellent job of using the culture to appeal to fans and win readers over effortlessly.

Geoff Shaw and Dee Cunniffe’s art suits the book well. The opening pages are captivating, with bright colors and Kirby dots filling the panels. The characters are all expressive, and the action flows as naturally as possible. Cunniffe’s colors are fantastic and emphasize the comic’s tone through excellent palette choices. The use of bright colors surrounded by grey backgrounds draws the reader’s eyes like a captivating comic would. John J. Hill’s letters feel both modern and retro at the same time, making Crossover even more of a love letter for comic book fans.

Crossover #1 is made with love. Donny Cates and the rest of the creative team successfully make this debut easy to connect to for those who love superheroes. It’s sincere, exciting, and just a lot of fun. Anyone who has ever loved a superhero will want to add Crossover to their pull lists. This one is going to be special.

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