• fire power book 1 cover
    Fire Power Book 1
    Writer:
    Robert Kirkman
    Artist:
    Chris Samnee
    Letterer:
    Rus Wooton
    Cover Artist:
    Matthew Wilson
    Publisher:
    Image Comics
    Price:
    $49.99
    Release Date:
    2022-06-01
    Colorist:
    Mattew Wilson

Mention the name Robert Kirkman and the first thing that comes to mind is The Walking Dead. But the author isn't just a zombie aficionado. He demonstrates his dynamic range in Image Comics' Fire Power, which he co-created with Chris Samnee. He also has a deep love and appreciation for martial arts and anime. For those who are unfamiliar with the comic book series, Fire Power Book 1 by Kirkman, Samnee, Matt Wilson, and Rus Wooton should ignite interest as it collects the Prelude graphic novel alongside the first 12 issues of this leg-sweeping action extravaganza.

The story kicks off with Owen Johnson traveling to China to find the Order of the Flaming Fist to learn more about his past. Once there, the hero trains with Master Wei Lun and falls in love with fellow student Ling Zan. Owen experiences heartbreak and leaves the Order to build a new life stateside, where he is now a father and husband. Sadly, his "normal" life is turned upside down when a familiar face from his past tries to convince him to return to the Order. While Owen is uninterested in revisiting his past, he might not have a choice in the matter.

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Owen Johnson Eating

Much like his other work, Kirkman demonstrates his uncanny knack for simplifying even the most complicated concepts. It's easy to see how Fire Power could have gone up in flames with so many characters, subplots, and conflicting themes competing for attention, yet it never does. It's always clear what every character's motivation is. One of Kirkman's other strengths is the ability to say a lot without having to fill every panel to the brim. He allows the art to breathe and convey the intended message, especially in the emotional moments. Instead of crowding the pages with thought bubbles, captions, or exposition, he lets the art show -- not tell.

This approach could have fallen flat if not for Samnee's impeccable illustrations. It's evident that both creators trust each other and understand that the story is the sum of all its parts, as there's a perfect balance between art and text on each page. Samnee's fight scenes also elevate Fire Power from good to great, as they sprawl across several pages and pack a powerful punch. There's a tendency to go bigger and include more action sequences rather than trim them down, which is music to the ears of everyone who loves the way of the fist.

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Owen-Johnson-looking-at-the-statue-1

It would be a mistake to overlook Wilson's colors and Wooton's lettering since they complete the package here. Wilson takes the reader on a journey across the color gamut, focusing on the bright, more colorful tones for the action sequences and cooler or warmer hues for the quieter moments. There are subtle hints and callbacks to his work on Paper Girls here, as the book serves as a welcome reminder of why he is one of the most coveted colorists in the comics biz. Wooton adds a trademark stamp and livens up the environment with the kind of onomatopoeia that would make Batman '66 proud.

It's borderline criminal that more people aren't talking about Fire Power as one of the best comics around. It might not have the same hype or following as Kirkman's superhero comic Invincible and other notable projects, but it deserves as much -- if not more -- praise. Fire Power Book 1 is a fantastic jumping-on point that will delight fans of action-packed adventures and Avatar: The Last Airbender.