The Spark (Studio 407 – Renard / Cozman / Saunders)
Fifteen years ago, a phenomenon called “The Spark” created four superhumans who sacrificed themselves to stop a world-wide cataclysm. Now, The Spark has happened again, creating a new generation of heroes. As three heroes emerge to accept their responsibility as protectors of humanity, everyone wonders, where’s the fourth? Lucas would save the world, but he has other problems — school, his supermarket job to help his mom with the bills and a little sister who’s more than a handful. But when an alien horde arrives to enslave the planet, does Lucas leave his family to save the earth? What’s a hero to do?
Not unlike the second and third seasons of Heroes, The Spark as a whole has a great deal of potential but it fails to connect.
The story, laid out by author Martin Renard, has a great premise. The whole idea of the reluctant hero usually does good to grab an audience. Unfortunately here, everything about the young protagonist’s life is so cliche and trite that it makes for a very predictable and directed plot. As you read the book, you can sense that Renard is capable of more – he just doesn’t bring it here.
A story lacking engagement like this sometimes can be saved by the art and look of the book. Artist Nahuel Cozman does the exact opposite and buries it. His posed figures that are reminiscent of the sketches done in a notebook during eighth grade English puts the final nails in the coffin and douses out any light The Spark might have been giving off.
The Spark is far cry from Studio 407’s Night and Fog which was excellent, review here.
Issue Grade: Story C- Art D-
