Wildguard: Casting Call

    (Image, 2003-2005)
™ and © Image Comics, Inc.

This is not the first comic book about a super–hero reality show, but it does bring something new to the table: reality.

Starting with a pool of 500 applicants (not all of whom will be seen on–panel, presumably), the team will consist of “the final five,” one of whom will be selected by the readers in online voting.

Years ago, pre–Internet, a phone poll was held to decide whether then–Robin, Jason Todd, should live or die. Many criticized this move as bad writing. After all, how can the writer and artist craft the best story possible, leaving such a major plot point up in the air? The difference between that and this is the introduction of reality TV. Wildguard is to comics what shows like American Idol are to television. Just as America determines who the next pop star will be, America decides who the next super–hero will be.

The pool of characters ranges from hokey duos (Mover and Shaker), to bad puns (Lily Hammer), to truly bizarre characters (Adhesor, the Adhesive Man). Characters such as Little Miss Sunshine and Snapback have engaging personalities, while the patronizing attitude of the Ultra Mega Super Five (of whom there are six) rings true.

If you miss Young Justice, Nauck brings a little bit of that spirit with him to Wildguard.

— Jack Abramowitz
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    Cover A by Todd Nauck
    Oct 2003
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    Jan 2005
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    Collects #1-6
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