Review: Super Wicked White Cell Squadron # 1
“You mess with one bean … you get the whole burrito!”
School’s out for summer! Stacy and Markus are throwing a ball around on campus as their buddies Vi Tu, Leslie and Sheree pass by.
But these are no ordinary college kids. These five young stars are prodigy-level students with a keen fascination for medical nanotechnology. Classes may be finished but for this bunch learning never ends.
And that’s not all… When an explosion in one of the science laboratories is followed by the sudden appearance of a huge, demonically ferocious bug-eyed alien monster, it turns out that our heroes are even more exceptional. In the blink of an eye – and with a suitably inspirational call to arms – our brave scholars are transformed into gleaming armour-clad super warriors; ready, willing and more than able to whoop some extraterrestrial butt.
So far, so mighty morphin’ … but this is no ordinary comic: Super Wicked White Cell Squadron # 1 by writer/artist Doug Knight is an homage to everything that helped him through a challenging childhood. When Doug was six he was diagnosed with a brain tumour that damaged his optic nerves, making him legally blind.
“I spent a lot of time in the hospital, learned how to draw and promised myself that when I grew up I would use my powers to help readers pass time in fun ways.”
Fast forward a few years and the promise is fulfilled in the form of Cross Eye Comics and its publication of the first issue of a tale of courageous teens versus out-of-this-world bad guys. The White Cell Squadron are the ultimate knights in shining armour, representing the battle against disease, disability and depression. Doug’s goal is to get his comic into as many children’s hospitals as possible to bring some much-needed light, colour and fun into the gloomy world of childhood illness.
The 29-page issue is certainly jam-packed with action, our shiny soldiers duking it out with a variety of gruesome and bizarre space bogies. Doug delights in explosive, dazzling fight scenes, energy bursting out from every panel. His art style is sleek, snappy and delivers all the punches joyfully. His characters are a neat combination of geeks with a cheerful hip-hop vibe.
He describes this as a love letter to his childhood, and for anyone else who was young then this is a nostalgic sugar rush from the 80s/90s era of Japanese-to-American cartoons and TV shows that featured plucky youngsters with power suits and giant robots locked in combat with cackling villains from beyond, their evil bestial minions, and towering, rampaging kaiju.
This is a fresh, exuberant offering that revels in escapist fantasy and adventure. The darkness is defeated with courage, teamwork and friendship, which is a message that resonates with readers of all ages, but with special value for someone very young who is facing a frightening experience. There is an infectious positivity here that many will find refreshing.
As Doug is also involved projects with other creators we can look forward to more new episodes from his creative mind in the - hopefully - very near future.
Super Wicked White Cell Squadron # 1 on Kickstarter
Also by Doug Knight: CHIASM #0
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