Advance Review: Crises Dominate ‘Midlife (Or How To Hero At 50!)’ #4
by Tom Smithyman
Overview
Readers trying to cover up that grey hair will find something familiar in this story about a 50-year-old firefighter who discovers he has superpowers. This issue is a bit mundane though, as the creative team works to drive the story along and set up mysteries and payoffs for the future.
Overall
8/10Ruben Kwan’s midlife crisis is only deepening. As if turning 50 and developing superpowers wasn’t enough, the hero of Midlife (Or How To Hero At 50!) is being pursued by mysterious agents in maroon suits, he’s going to become a father while taking on more responsibility for a foster kid, and he’s been shot at. Oh, and the agent who shot him is his prisoner in his house.
And you thought having a few grey hairs was tough.
Writer Brian Buccellato never lets up on Ruben and family, though he clearly had a soft spot for the hero. Ruben’s dad was a firefighter who was killed while fighting a blaze. Following in his father’s footsteps, Ruben became a fireman as well, only for learn he’s fireproof. He can also melt bullets before they hit him. And the man who was once frightened of wants to be a hero. That’s tough though, when he’s being pursued by the Office of Fire Prevention, which is on the lookout for ancient fire beings called – unimaginatively enough – Fire-Folk.
While there is plenty going on in this issue, it’s really more of an exercise in exposition and transition. There’s not much in terms of action, rather Buccellato is trying to resolve some plot points while driving the story long. He is able to interject his typical humor into the dialogue, which helps to break up some of the issue’s talky nature. It’s not a bad issue, but it won’t rank among the series strongest entries.
Stefano Simeone continues his highly stylized artwork, which gives the series a unique look and feel even with lots of talking heads. His use of thematic colors for each scene dominates the artwork and gives readers a sense of the underlying tone of the panels without even reading them. He also has some fun with a ball gag.
Transition issues like these are needed in a series that plans to run beyond a single story arc. And the timing of this one, just after the halfway point of the first arc, makes sense. So the creators get a pass here, but readers will want to see more from them soon.
Midlife (Or How To Hero At 50!) #4 will be available for purchase on January 10, 2024.
