“Yesterday’s” Comic> Secret Headquarters #1

“What do you mean I’m on fire?”

Secret Headquarters #1

Titan Comics (September, 2022; comiXology version)

WRITER: Christopher Yost (movie co-writer)

ARTIST: Simone Ragazzoni

LETTERER: Andwords’ Jame?

GROUP EDITOR: Jake Devine

Young Charlie is fascinated by the new superhero The Guard, this reality’s first superhero according to this. Nobody else seems to be. One of his friends thinks he’s a robot, and the others don’t really give him that much thought. If it wasn’t for the comic based on…his existing you almost think Charlie was the only one who cares, and he wants to do his science report on the Guard’s power source. The Guard seems to be bigger in his life than his father, who is always off at work, but who IS The Guard? You’ll have to see the movie to find out.

What they got right: This is a teaser for the movie of the same name, and in that it works well. You get to meet Charlie and learn about his interest in The Guard and his disappointment of his father never being around, and both aspect of his character are believable and understandable. It sets up what I’ve heard of the movie’s plot. (Yes, it’s on the Finally Watch list.)

What they got wrong: Why IS Charlie the only one who seems to care outside of whomever is working on the Guard’s comic? A real life superhero and even the KIDS aren’t interested in him. I don’t mean to Charlie’s level. He has issues with his missing father and the fake comic (and at times I can’t tell when it’s the comic at first but points for using the kids’ hairstyle in the captions discussing the comic versus the comic’s dialog) and doesn’t appear to have other hobbies like his friends outside of a supposed gaming channel we never see him use. But no interest in him at all? Sorry, not buying it.

What I think overall: I don’t know how effective this is overall and building excitement for the story. While it sets up the movie from what I can tell it’s hard to believe these kids couldn’t care less about The Guard, much less anybody else. The art is fairly good. I still want to see the movie, but not because of this comic.