Scout’s Honor #1
“The Seven Laws of Doctor Jefferson Hancock”
Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Luca Casalanguida
Colors: Matt Milla
Letters: Carlos M. Mangual
Cover artists: Andy Clarke (regular)/Maan ouse (variant)
Editor: Christina Harrington
Publisher: Aftershock Comics
Price: $4.99 US

Smaller publishers appear to be enjoying some growth in support in the last year or two, which is always encouraging, as this is the territory that fosters more comics outside the dominant super-hero genre. And it serves as the training and proving ground for new talents. Unfortunately, the boom in the marketplace outside of Marvel and DC titles appears driven, at least in part, by value speculation. Mind you, there’s some logic to it, since these comics are ordered in lower numbers than their mainstream counterparts. But what’s really important is whether these books pay off in terms of storytelling, both visually and conceptually. The high concept here – the notion of Scouting as the basis of a paramilitary peacekeeping organization in a post-apocalyptic future – is an interesting one. As I read the issue, though, despite the novel premise, the plot beats felt a bit predictable. It’s a fun, action-packed story that explores a patriarchal, exclusionary organization even in a far-flung future, but the twists the writer tries to weave into the story felt more like straight lines.