Written by Alan Moore.
Pencils by Travis Charest (1); Kevin Maguire (2); Ryan Benjamin & Jason Johnson (3-4); Travis Charest, Dave Johnson, & Kevin Nowlan (5); Travis Charest & Dave Johnson (6); Scott Clark & Dave Johnson (7); Travis Charest, Dave Johnson;, & Aron Wiesenfeld (8); Travis Charest & Ryan Benjamin (9-10); Mat Broome, Pate Lee, & Jim Lee (12); Mat Broome (13); Mat Broome & Rob Stotz (14); and Travis Charest (15).
Inks by Troy Hubbs (1); Troy Hubbs, Randy Elliott, Sal Regla, Trevor Scott, & Scott Williams (2); Art Thibert, Terry Austin, Hakjoon Kang, Andy Owens, & Harry Thuran (3); Tom McWeeney (4); Troy Hubbs, Kevin Nowlan, & John Nyberg (5); JD, Scott Williams, & Dave Johnson (6); Bob Wiacek & Dexter Vines (7); JD & Dave Johnson (8); JD; Richard Friend, Mark Irwin, & Luke Rizzo (9); Richard Friend, Sal Regla, Sandra Hope, John Tighe, Mark Irwin, & Luke Rizzo (10); Trevor Scott, Richard Bennett, & Jason Gorder (12); Troy Hubbs & Scott Taylor (13); Troy Hubbs, Scott Taylor, JD, Sandra Hope, & Trevor Scott (14); & JD (15).
Chapter 11: Jim Lee & Josh Wiesenfeld (layouts); Richard Bennett (finishes); & Travis Charest (art).
Letters by Bill O’Neil & Comicraft.
Colors by WildStorm FX; Bad@$$; & Alex Sinclair.
Collection Cover Art by Travis Charest.
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2007, this 392-page WildStorm Productions paperback reprints WildC.AT.S. # 21-34 (1996-1997); Issue # 50 & WildC.A.T.S: Homecoming (1998); and WildC.A.T.S: Gang War (1999). This collection is divided into fifteen chapters.
On Earth, most of the WildC.A.T.S. are believed to have died. Despite their different objectives, Majestic & Savant recruit three replacements: Grifter’s lecherous brother, Max; the mind-altering Tao; and killer cyborg Maxine Manchester. The team soon initiates a counter-strike against gang warfare that becomes increasingly violent.
In deep space, the other WildC.AT.S. actually survived, as their starship at last arrives at planet Khera. Among them are Voodoo, the android Hadrian, EMP, Reno, & Zealot, as they’re eager to revisit their home planet. Yet, several hundred years have already elapsed in Kherubim time. The team, especially Voodoo, experiences harsh reality acclimating to changes pm present-day Khera (i.e. the fate of surviving Daemonites). Amidst mixed emotions, the teammates ultimately opt to return to their true home: Earth.
Amidst the WildC.A.T.S. reunion, some members quietly leave to restart their personal lives elsewhere. Other veterans, like Grifter, resurface to bolster the team’s short-handed roster. More so, Hadrian’s secret origin comes to light. A devastating explosion’s fallout reveals a traitor lurking among them. With three teammates badly injured, a hunt commences for the mastermind manipulating the WildC.A.T.S. for a nefarious ulterior motive.
In the epilogue, the team contemplates adding a reserve squad, but an ominous letter indicates one nightmare isn’t over yet.
REVIEW:
This project’s vast art squad contributes high-caliber visuals from start to finish. The flip side is that Alan Moore’s quirky, adult-oriented scripting remains an acquired taste. Keeping track of who’s who here may be enough work for casual readers, but grasping the underlying sub-plots necessitates prior knowledge of series continuity.
Hence, established WildC.A.T.S. fans may have a potential dilemma: Moore’s creative run is intriguing and sophisticated, but it isn’t as fun as Jim Lee & Brandon Choi’s original incarnation.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
A full table-of-contents specifies each chapter’s art-team. There’s also five full-page pin-up images of various WildC.A.T.S. spread out in this book. Pin-up artists are: Lee Bemejo & John Tighe; Carlos D’Anda & Mark Irwin (twice); Travis Charest & Troy Hubbs; and Ryan Odagawa.
In a full-page format, each cover (and its credited art team) is included. The cover artists are:
Chapter 1: Jim Lee & Troy Hubbs;
Chapters 2-6: Travis Charest & Troy Hubbs;
Chapter 7: Scott Clark & Bob Wiacek;
Chapter 8, 10, & 15: Travis Charest;
Chapter 9: Travis Charest & John Nyberg;
Chapters 11-12: Jim Lee & Richard Bennett; and
Chapters 13-14: Mat Broome & Troy Hubbs;
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
