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
Jump to issue:
  NotesWriterArtist
#1 Variation A (Cover A by Todd Nauck)

October, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $1.75
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
#1 Variation B (Cover B by Ed McGuinness)

October, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
4 copies available from $1.75
Todd NauckTodd Nauck, Lary Stucker
#2 Variation A (Cover A by Todd Nauck)

15-Oct-2003
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $2.98
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
#2 Variation B (Cover B by Mike Wieringo)

15-Oct-2003
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $1.75
Todd NauckTodd Nauck, Lary Stucker
#3 Variation A (Cover A by Todd Nauck)

November, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
4 copies available from $1.75
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
#3 Variation B (Cover B by Arthur Adams)

November, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $2.95
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
#4 Variation A (Cover A by Todd Nauck)

December, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
1 copy available for $2.98
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
#4 Variation B (Cover B by Paco Medina)

December, 2003
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $2.95
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
#5 Variation A (Cover A by Todd Nauck)

January, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
3 copies available from $1.75
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
#5 Variation B (Mike Wieringo Cover B by Keron Grant)

January, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $2.98
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
#6 Variation A (Cover A by Todd Nauck)

February, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $2.95
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
#6 Variation B (Cover B by Phil Noto)

February, 2004
Cover Price: $2.95
2 copies available from $3.40
Todd NauckTodd Nauck
Book #1

January, 2005
Cover Price: $17.95
1 copy available for $21.00