By Larry Jorash — The Resistance — which is (relatively) new publisher AWA Studios’ new superhero universe, helmed by veteran capes/sci-fi writer J. Michael Straczynski — returns today with The Resistance: Uprising #1, the first issue of the series’ second volume. Gone is superstar artist Mike Deodato, Jr. — who illustrated the first volume — and in his place is C.P. Smith, colored here by Snakebite Cortez, a mainstay of the AWA line. This book picks up right where the first volume left off.

Something tragic has happened — returning readers will know this to be Lisa’s murder at the hands of a government-paid assassin — and now our heroes must do their best to regroup amid escalating odds within a terrifying new world order. I have enjoyed all things The Resistance quite a bit so far, and this comic is no exception. There are a lot of interesting and timely (and a bit familiar) themes in play with these comics, including super-powered beings hunted for being different, stands against fascism, and denouncements of extreme and out-of-control nationalism.

In terms of the visual storytelling, I want to highlight here Cortez’s color work. The dark shades give this correspondingly-dark story a shadowy feel. It’s a nice matching of content and color tone. The world of The Resistance in this second volume is a dreary one, and the artwork — especially the colors — conveys that. It also gives this volume a heightened sense of consistency. Frank Martin colored Deodato’s linework in the first volume, but Cortez here captures the palette and captures it well.

I should, however, also issue a warning — this is not a book that will be kind to new readers. There’s a #1 on the cover, because sales, but I struggle to see how someone could jump into this book without having also read the first volume. If, however, you’ve followed this book (as well as some of the other titles with connecting Easter Eggs, like Year Zero and Red Border), there’s a lot to like here, and I’d give The Resistance: Uprising #1 a very strong recommendation.

Overall: A fun read for returning fans of The Resistance series, The Resistance: Uprising #1 is dark, smart, and loaded with drama. 8/10

The Resistance: Uprising #1

The Resistance: Uprising #1
Writer: J. Michael Straczynski
Artist: C.P. Smith
Colorist: Snakebite Cortez
Letterer: Sal Cipriano
Publisher: AWA Studios - Upshot
Price: $3.99
Acclaimed writer J. Michael Straczynski returns the prescient, ambitious world of The Resistance! In the wake of the assassination of their leader, the Resistance is in disarray, disconnected from each other and hunted by authorities around the world – including an army of “reborns” recruited by the American government. To avert decimation at the hands of a fascistic government crackdown, the Resistance must discover the ace up their sleeve, and then the key to unlocking it.
Buy It Now: The Resistance - Uprising #1

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Larry Jorash resides in Central Florida managing a comic book shop and coaching youth sports. In his spare time he enjoys ice hockey and reading. You will almost never find his hand vacant of coffee. Find him on twitter: (@theREALlarbear)