Soldier Zero #5 (Boom! – Abnett / Lanning / Pina)

Stan Lee, Paul Cornell, and Javier Pina continue their celebrated run on the year’s most exciting new superhero series. In the aftermath of last issue’s epic battle, SOLDIER ZERO finds himself hated by the public, and Stewart finds himself more confused than ever— while a new threat emerges! A perfect jumping on point for new readers as Stan Lee drives SOLDIER ZERO full speed ahead.

There is a slight discrepancy in the creative team mentioned between the Boom! blurb and what the book itself says – but once you read it, this is easily forgivable.

Issue #5 does indeed start a new arc and allows readers who may missed the rocking initial arc of SZ (issues#1-4 are prolly still available at your local independently-owned  comic shop!) to jump on without any issues (companies where sometimes marketing outweighs content might call this a .1 issue).  Soldier Zero is one of several new sci-fi titles coming from Boom! These books (including the Traveler, Starborn and other upcoming titles) have all been fan hits and have been filling the gap in the fans’ need for smart, action-filled, creative stories.

This issue continues to narrate the struggle to find a balance between the sentient armor and host – justice and mercy.  And protagonist Stewart is struggling to comfort his brother in the hospital and try to decide if he even wants to stay the host when a new enemy shows his face and is ready to unleash the “Code Icarus Recovery”.  I don’t know what that is yet, but it can’t be good.  The art team does a more than adequate job of framing this high-octane story!

The Bottom Line: Soldier Zero soared much higher than my expectation and continues to Rock!

Issue Grade: A-