Inferior Five #1 is published by DC Comics. It is written by Keith Giffen and Jeff Lemire with art by Keith Giffen (pencils) and Michelle Delecki (inks) and colors by Hi-Fi. This series also has a backup feature story, Peacemaker, which is written and drawn by Jeff Lemire with colors by José Villarrubia.
When I first started seeing Inferior Five’s name in solicitations, I wasn’t really interested. I mean, the Inferior Five of the 1960s was a parody by DC on their own superheroes which I never really read much of. So when I started seeing the title floating around it didn’t immediately pique my interest as a must read. Then I saw Jeff Lemire’s name on it and given his record of darker content, I thought “now that’s interesting” and honestly, I’m glad I gave it a chance. What a trip Giffen and Lemire are about to take us on.
Following the “Invasion” of the DC Universe, the people of Dangerfield, Arizona have settled into a weird sense of complacency and normalcy that one shouldn’t be complacent about or feel like it’s normal. But there-in lies part of the mystery, are they really oblivious? It seems a little odd that five misfit kids would take notice of something so apparent, but because of that, it’s going to be up to them to solve the mystery before they find themselves disappearing as well.
Given the story progression and who is focused on in Inferior Five #1, it seems that our main group will consist of Justin, Lisa, Helen, Vance, and Theresa (who Vance calls “Dumb Bunny” – an original Inferior Five member). While Justin seems to be the titular catalyst, Lisa is the one who is already noticing a pattern and coming up with conspiracy theories, which involve someone named “Billy Shanker”. While we are meeting the kids, there is quite a creepy character wandering about, definitely killing people, saying nothing except lines from the nursery rhyme, Three Little Kittens. Because everyone knows there are few things creepier than kids wandering around reciting nursery rhymes over and over. It’s just so unsettling.
The comic also features a backup story, Peacemaker. This story is about a man who goes by the name “Peacemaker,” and his top-secret mission from Amanda Waller to go to Siberia and locate a “super weapon” before the Russians do. However, while he’s there, Peacemaker finds something a lot more sinister than a weapon, and though we’re unclear on how, it’s definitely directly tied to the main comic story.
Both of the stories have given us mysteries waiting to be unraveled and art styles that only add to the gritty feel. It’s interesting that Giffen and Lemire both provided writing and art for the stories. Their art styles are different, but work so well with both of the respective stories. It’s not what I’d expect given the original Inferior Five works, which I’m totally okay with, but also I can see how this might annoy some people given the pretty huge jump from the 1960s plot to this one.
OVERALL SCORE: 8 / 10
Make sure you pick up this debut issue of Inferior Five from your local comic shop!
Happy reading!
