Noble Causes: Extended Family

    (Image, 2004)
™ and © 2004 respective creators

Super–heroes have long been entrenched in soap opera, but it took longer than expected for someone to give it a whirl without onscreen crimefighting. That’s not to say there aren’t plenty of fistfights and laser blasts among Jay Faerber’s cleverly conceived tale of America’s most famous clan of capes, the Nobles; they’re just personal instead of global. Central character Liz Donnelly provides the (much-needed) grounded point–of–view in a world of celebrities who quite literally have their heads in the clouds, after she marries and survives the most affable member of the family, Race. Faerber could have characterized the Noble as stock types, but admirably challenges himself by ensuring that no hero or villain goes un–humanized (even if they’re not technically human). Most comics, as well as most soaps, could learn from his deft maneuverings. His most unlikable characters defy our contempt with painfully exposed weakness, desire and heroic tendencies.

— Brendan McGinley
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  • 1
    #1
    May 2003
    Cover: $6.95
    W: Jay Faerber, Geoff Johns, Phil Hester, Eric Stephenson, J. Torres, Brian K. Vaughan, John Layman, Dan Abnett, Andy Lanning, Gail Simone  ·  A: Mike Hawthorne, Brent McKee, Sean Murphy, Todd Nauck, Tim Levins, Mitch Breitweiser, Pat Quinn, Anthony Williams, Andy Lanning, Andres Ponce
    2 copies from $7.98