I don’t think Mr. Incredible has a hang on the “remove shirt to showcase logo” thing yet.
The Incredibles #1
Dark Horse Comics (November, 2004)
SCREENPLAY: Brad Bird
ADAPTATION: Paul Riden
PENCILER/COVER ART: Ricardo Curtis
INKER: Ramon Perez
COLORIST: Don Jackson
COVER COLORIST: Kate Moo King-Curtis
LETTERER: Chris Eliopoulous
DESIGNER: David Nestelle
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Kate Moody
EDITOR: Dave Land
I’ve already reviewed the spin-off series from Boom Studios (now rendered moot most likely thanks to the sequel), but the adaptation I’ve bypassed until now. It opens in the city of Municiberg, where local hero Mr. Incredible runs into one problem after another, from having fellow hero Elastigirl take out the bad guy he was about to stop, to a suicide victim he has to save, to running into a bomber, to having him escape thanks to well-meaning but unready would-be sidekick “Incrediboy”, an inventor kid named Buddy. However, he makes it to his wedding slightly late, as he’s marrying Elastigirl. Then the suicide victim sued him, leading to a flurry of lawsuits, forcing the government to send the heroes into seclusion. Now living in Metroville, Bob and Helen Parr have to keep their superpowered children…superspeedy Dash and force-field user Violet, plus their baby brother Jack-Jack…under control. Bob is not happy with his current life and sometimes sneaks out with fellow hero Frozone to still fight crime and rescue people. Bob is also too helpful at the insurance company he works with for his skinflint boss and so he’s fired. Then he gets a job offer from another super named Mirage.
What they got right: All the set-up is right here. Bob and Helen’s marriage, Bob’s frustration that he can’t be Mr. Incredible anymore, his family, his friend, and both the old and current situation. Nothing feels cut-out or rushed. The art team also does a good job trying to translate the 3D computer characters into 2D hand-drawn art.
What they got wrong: Wait, the guy is still upset he was stopped from committing suicide and complains he’s now in pain? What’s stopping you now? I’m not saying that to be a jerk (even to a fictional character), I’m just trying to figure out this guy’s mindset. I mean, nobody sues the police for stopping a suicide. It’s one of the two problems I do have with the movie, the other being if the superheroes are forced out of “business”, what’s stopping the supervillains from doing anything? Shouldn’t they be totally out of control by now? Sure, cops could handle some supervillains but not all of them.
Recommendation: Otherwise I do love this movie and the comic is off to a good start. Only worth having if you like adaptations or want it alongside the original stories of the Boom run, but I wonder if the adaptation for the sequel will reach comics and how that will screw up continuity? (The movies being the source material and thus the actual canon, mind you.)
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