Hero Alliance: End of the Golden Age (Superhero) (Graphic Novel)

By Kevin Juaire & David Campit 

Publisher: Pied Piper (1986), Innovation (1989)

Softcover (46 pages)

Settle in because the history on this comic is all over the place. Hero Alliance’s first issue was published by Wonder Comics in 1987, after which the company folded faster than a house of cards in a hurricane. The other comics produced by this publisher where cheap attempts to horn in on already successful titles. They had names like G. I. Rambot, and Terraformers.

The series then moved onto black and white publication publisher Pied Piper comics in the late 80s. Pied Piper also was blip on the indie charts (one among many that year) which lasted from 86 to 88. I reviewed another one of their books, The Beast Warriors of Shaolin, last year. Unlike that title however, this one went on to have a bit of a future.

Like a few of the other Pied Piper comics, such as Ex-Mutants, the Hero Alliance graphic novel (because that’s all it was at this point) was picked up by Innovation Comics and finally spun into a regular series. Innovation lasted slightly longer than the rest, mostly by relying on adaptations of other properties as its bread and butter. They put out comic book versions of series such as Dark Shadows, Quantum Leap, A Nightmare on Elm Street, and various Anne Rice novels. But in 1994 they folded, like many other small houses at that time, and the series ended at issue 17.

This is the actual cover of the copy i bought. Apparently it was a rebound and signed run, but it still ended up in the three dollar discount rack. 

This book is the initial graphic novel, End of the Golden Age. The title becomes a play on words when we discover that the premier superhero team, the Guardmen (an Avengers/Justice League analog) was founded by the Golden Guardsman, who dies in the beginning of the story. Symbolizing an end to innocence and simple answers as was presented in the Golden Age of Comics.

The protagonist, Victor, a Superman equivalent, is forced to try and reforge a team with members whose morals are very different from his own. While the old teams falls apart, Victor must forge a new one from the ashes. He does so reluctantly, question in his ability to lead at every step.

Often people cite Watchmen as the moment when superhero tales took on a dark edge, where a grittiness entered the stories and the heroes become tarnished. And while that's true, there was still the idealism in the tales and we see it here. When the intentions of the heroes are good, their methods and abilities are in question. Superman always seemed to be emotionally confident enough to be Superman. Victor on the other hand, despite his power, is wracked with self-doubt and that causes him to make costly mistakes.

Thus we see the beginnings of a very interesting series. Perhaps not the most outstanding superhero stories, but well-crafted and with compelling characters. Even the villain, while a tad over the top (as supervillains will be) is interesting. The major flaw in the book is that the writers tried to jam too much material into a short space and it sometimes feels rushed.

For an independent comic, the art is superb. Well fashioned and flowing, there is an energy to it that crackles in every page. And unlike most indies, this story is in full color. After reading this, I'm considering picking up the full run of Hero Alliance – They are all available on Mycomicshop.com and Mile High Comics.

For more readings, try books by Rex Hurst.