Black Market #1
Written by Frank J. Barbiere
Art by Victor Santos
Colors by Adam Metcalfe
Letters by Ed Dukeshire
Covers by Victor Santos
BOOM! Studios
Release Date: July 16, 2014
Cover Price: $3.99

Ray Willis has a lot of hurdles in his life. His wife Shannon has Multiple Sclerosis and he works terrible hours at a funeral parlor. He likes his job, but he only stays because it (barely) covers the bills and his wife’s medication. Both he and his wife know that he’s too smart for the job he has, and could be doing so much more, but Ray feels trapped. One day, his estranged brother Denny comes around with a duffle bag full of cash and an offer Ray can’t resist. Denny works with a government sponsored program that is looking for a way to cure cancer, MS, and every other disease known to man. They just need to extract some DNA from the Supers – men and women with extraordinary powers. Ray goes along for the paycheck, and to do some good for the world, but Denny has … ulterior motives.

Black Market #1 takes some interesting twists and turns in its first issue. Who are the real heroes and villains here? Are we supposed to trust and empathize with the superheroes just because they’re stronger, or is that reason to be suspicious of them? I like where Black Market is headed. It’s part superhero fantasy; part crime-drama chic. Victor Santos‘ art brings the world of Ray and Denny to life while still giving it that Golden Age comic book feel. Frank J. Barbiere‘s writing is fresh and keeps the story moving at a swift pace. There’s a lot to like about Black Market.

Writer Frank J. Barbiere and artist Victor Santos have teamed up to create an interesting take on the superhero genre by showing us there’s more than one way to save the world, but it may not be what you expect. You don’t want to miss this title.