After ten long years of waiting, the sequel to C.O.W.L. is nearly here. Not only does this continue the story of the Chicago Organized Workers League, but according to writer Kyle Higgins, this will indeed tie into the modern-era known as the Massive-Verse. There was an animated video two years ago pitting Radiant Black against Blaze of C.O.W.L. to fans delight, leaving many to wonder if this was a one-off for fans, or perhaps testing the waters for future plans? 1964 may answer these questions.
Yes, I have read the first issue of C.O.W.L. 1964. It was great. Amazing even. I felt as though the first issue flowed directly from the end of the prior series. It was all familiar, as though I was transported right back to Chicago.
Fans who read the first 11-issue series, will not be disappointed as the next mini-series appears to continue the story left off at the end of the final issue, the ending chapter of the story arc collected as The Greater Good. All the familiar characters are present, but I won’t 100% spoil whether they are accounted for in the first issue. Historical events are used to further the plot of having a unionized group for heroes.
Manipulation was the word of the day in the prior series, and very much appears to be the ongoing theme yet again here. It is expertly presented as a methodical playbook of how to play chess with human lives, but not only taking your opponents pieces but absorbing them into your own army.
I’m gushing here, but the writing and art remain brilliantly executed and flow like a romance of cerebral assassinery.
I really don’t want to spoil anything, but I will say is there are quite a few eye-widening moments which you may see coming. Like the original series, I am willing to wager Higgins and Reis want you to see some events coming, and when they do unfold it hits you like a mobster just punched you in the gut and demanded to be paid for it.
The big story is right on the cover of the first issue, so no spoiler here, but plans to make C.O.W.L. a national organization is in the works. I wonder just how long these plans have been taking shape, and do hope the rest of the series will reveal it. Based on the body count from Principles of Power and The Greater Good, I can’t help but imagine not only the count to come, but the ones which took place between the original and 1964.
Taking the helm are writers Kyle Higgins and Alec Siegel, art again by crafty Rod Reis. Newcomer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou on letters, who by the way re-captures the unique style of the original series. Kelly McMahon provides art for a variant cover while Wesley Griffith serves as the production artist for the series. Of course, one cannot leave out Eric Wright who created the original logo design. Michael Busuttil, a familiar name for those who follow Radiant Black and the Massive-verse as a whole, on editing and design for 1964. It’s an all-star lineup for a series which broke all the rules, made up some new ones, then broke those too.
C.O.W.L. 1964 will be released this coming Wednesday at your local comic shop.
Here’s that animated short between Blaze from C.O.W.L. and Radiant Black in case you missed it last time.
