Alpha Flight: The Complete Series by Greg Pak & Fred Van Lente

Alpha Flight (2011) #0.1, 1-4

by Greg Pak, Fred Van Lente, Ben Oliver (Illustrator)

Exploding out of FEAR ITSELF! Alpha Flight has long been the protector of an entire nation - but what happens when that nation needs to be protected from itself? Sasquatch, Snowbird, Northstar and Aurora have been joined by their revived allies Guardian, Vindicator, Shaman and Marrina. But as FEAR ITSELF takes over, their own country turns on the Flight and brands them traitors for the shocking actions of one of their closest allies. As the borders close and an entire nation hunts them down, will the newly reunited Alpha Flight survive?

COLLECTING: Alpha Flight 0.1, 1-8

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Marvel, Superheroes, Ebooks, Canada, Graphic Novels Comics

120 pages, Paperback

First published January 25, 2012

About the author

Greg Pak is an award-winning Korean American comic book writer and filmmaker currently writing "Lawful" for BOOM and "Sam Wilson: Captain America" (with Evan Narcisse) for Marvel. Pak wrote the "Princess Who Saved Herself" children's book and the “Code Monkey Save World” graphic novel based on the songs of Jonathan Coulton and co-wrote (with Fred Van Lente) the acclaimed “Make Comics Like the Pros” how-to book. Pak's other work includes "Planet Hulk," "Darth Vader," "Mech Cadet Yu," "Ronin Island," "Action Comics," and "Magneto Testament."

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starts out much better than Oeming's abortive Omega Flight "launch" - fast action, slight intros, and more natural Canadian references. Interesting villains get right to business, no excessive monologuing to be found, and terribly interesting visuals. I. Am. Satisfied.

Being a Canadian growing up on American media, it's like we don't really exist except as a punchline or a reference to the middle of nowhere. Getting to see our country represented in comics as a kid was pretty cool, even if there were a few too many lame villains or conflicts to make it feel like we Canucks were just as fierce and strong as the American heroes.

In this reboot (we don't even acknowledge that Oeming travesty), fast-paced action predominates over mewling introspection, which is plenty fine for me. Of any team, the team I'm afraid is considered the retarded step-cousin to Great Lakes Avengers (or Keith Giffen's Justice League) needs to show they're tough, incisive and ready to stand up (not apologize for being in the way).

My Canadian soul might be feeling a wee tad defensive about this.

Good god though, can we once and for all dispense with the X-Files "bad government is going to rule over us all as secret fascists" plot? There is really nothing any more special about a government than any other similarly-sized organization - the people aren't any smarter, they operate on similar budgets, they have just as much corruption as any corporation, and they operate with no more secrecy than any huge collective.

Couldn't we get just a few more "evil transnational corporation" plots to balance out the "evil government" plots? I love Garth Ennis and Joe Casey, but there have to be a few more lefties out there than that. I thought most of comics was overrun with commies.

The dialogue is fun and believable - not entirely in character from what I recall, but then again "in character" was so stiff and boring that we could use a little personality upgrade here.

Wish I could remember half if these villains - or even if they are from Byrne's Alpha Flight (or maybe they're new?). It's hard to feel strongly about the reveals when they're just unknown players to me. But infinitely better that I'm not getting a DC play-by-play self-introduction of every person, their secret identity, their power set and their backstory.

You know what I could use more of in my comics? Conspiracy nuts. Love 'em. Laugh with them. I even sympathize with them.

Love Eagelsham's clean, clear, simple art.

[Travis · Rating 2 out of 5]

While it was nice to see marvel trying to bring back Alpha Flight, half the cast sounded out of character ( what the hell was up with angry Marina? ), the political intrigue thing didn't work for me ( why does every writer post-Byrne turn Gary Cody into an evil bastard?) and it all felt flat.

None of the magic of the original Byrne run. Shame, as I love this team and Pak is usually a reliable writer.

[Kayla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Canadian superheroes, and Alpha Flight was amazing. Before finding this treat at the library, I was looking AF up on Marvel's wiki, and the entire back story was hilariously cheesy and awkward, and highly political.
I'm glad that I got the chance to read this. Though I am dissapointed that Northstar's marriage wasn't featured in this collection :c adding in the first gay marriage in a comic book, it would have definitely been a 5 star.

[Kevin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Can I say this was awesome, even after my many many rants about how annoying superhero comics are? Maybe it's the Canadian point of view or the fact that these superheroes seem to be battling as many personal demons as other superheroes, but... it could just be the artwork. I would like Puck to come over to my house.

[Jim Black · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very good collection. Dale Eaglesham's art is outstanding as usual. Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente have set up a storyline that combines politics and superheroes. This is a rare case of an event spinoff (Fear Itself) that makes sense and is one of the better ones you will read.

[Dan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent relaunch but one that was shortlived and kinda rushed into a crummy storyline. I liked how they focused on all of the classic team ideas behind the core characters, but kept it modern and contemporary with Northstar. An okay read....too bad it didn't last.

[Mathew Carruthers · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding! I've never really gotten excited about Alpha Flight, but this revival changes things. Great story and art.

[Tim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've loved Alpha Flight since the 80s so I've been waiting for new Alpha Flight stories for some time. Aside from Wolverine, they're really the only Canadian super heroes from Marvel. That alone makes me interested, but the characters make me stay.

This book is completely self-contained so while there is certainly a starting point for a new story, so you can be safe that you'll get to the end and not worry about a To Be Continued. The story may fit into the FEAR ITSELF storyline, you don't need to know the other stories to read this. Pak has definitely made this a Canadian story which is nice to see instead of what might have been done, using generic locations to appeal to a larger audience.

I think it works best for a Canadian audience, but should still work well for a more general audience. Give it a try.

[Patrick Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first Alpha Flight I have read since the initial John Byrne run back in the old days. I have to say that the writing team of Pak and Van Lente continue to impress me, I loved their work on Hercules / Hulk, and they delivered a good story with an under appreciated Alpha Flight team. It is too bad that there is not a demand for Canada's Premier Super Hero Team, I finished the series wanting more.

[Andy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't think I get the entirety of this book, but that is probably because I have never really read Alpha Flight. I get that they're the Canadian version of x-men or the Avengers, but I missed something because its been so long since I've read them. I will therefore comment on the art... It was cool. The story was too, I just need for background knowledge on it. Go Canada!

[Jordan Lahn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally read this series (celebrating Canada Day). Not a bad story. Despite being Canadian, I don't have any history with any of these characters (apart from Northstar and Kyle from Astonishing X-Men), so the personal stakes might have been somewhat lost on me. That being said I enjoyed the Canadian take on superheros, even if the caricaturization of Canada was a little blunt.

[Geoff Derks · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was unfamiliar with Alpha Flight's team, but the Point One issue and the following tie-in to Fear Itself (#1-4) were good. What happens in issues #5-8? They appear not to be collected, so you'll have to read synopses, or get them digitally.

[star_fire13 · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this. Out of all the graphic novels I've read lately, this was my favourite. It had a clear story. I just wish there was another one. I need to know if Mac is going to get Heather and his daughter back! I really like Northstar and Aurora too.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quiet fun. 70's style.

[Jdetrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice return to form for Alpha Flight, with an interesting take on the characters. It made Marrina more interesting, and that's an amazing feat in and of itself.

[Stately Elms Librarian · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alpha Flight battles some of the coolest villains in the whole Marvel universe:
Ranark the Ravager, Purple Woman and the Master of the World.

[Jimbo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I feel as if -- since I didn't read FEAR ITSELF -- that I was a bit lost with this storyline. AND in fact I found out that the VOL 2 of this 8 issue series never came out, so this was kind of not fair to feel lost. I am a bit more upset about the vol 2 not out. I am however, an of Alpha Flight, so I read it and was just disappointed in the fact that it was all fighting and no real development of character and again, all the other Alpha Flight new characters were not mentioned or were seen (probably different earths, but who can tell?)

[Sean · Rating 2 out of 5]

This had all the elements of a great book: great writers, fantastic artist, nostalgia, and fun crossover element. Sadly, the plot was cheesy and cliched, the crossover element is the weakest chapter, and the nostalgia is too heavy handed. The art by Dale Eaglesham is phenomenal though. I was saddened by the random guest stars and the politicized plot that makes little sense due to the speed it moves. Overall, an unfortunate miss.

[RND · Rating 2 out of 5]

A bit rushed in terms of story, a little broad, and while Eaglesham's art is usually the exact style you want for superheroics, he makes some page layout and panel composition choices that are perplexing or too dense.

[Sebastian Song · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is potential yet nothing to lift it beyond soap operate status. Alpha Flight has yet to find a good writer.

[Robert Hudder · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this so bad. I seem to remember reading an earlier series of Alpha Flight but this wasn't it. The politics and name dropping of Canadiana was a bit much for me.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great creative team doing all kinds of comics stuff I like. Fuck fascists!

[Kris Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvel canceled this series and then scrapped the plans for both the second hardcover (collecting 5-8) and the first softcover (collecting 0.1 and 1-4, identical to the Premiere Hardcover), instead soliciting this trade paperback of the entire series. It's really a no win scenario any way you slice it, but here we are.

I will review this with two things in mind: 1. How does this rate as a standalone read? Meaning, how does this read to someone who has never heard of Alpha Flight before? And 2. How does this compare to the original John Byrne run on the title? Let's proceed. Dale Eaglesham's artwork is, as always, a delight to the eyes. Pak and Van Lente do a mostly effective set-up of who the team is and what they can do in the 0.1 issue that kicks things off. You see everyone's powers displayed. Things are laid out clearly, but I suspect that there are things that wouldn't make sense to the uninitiated. Nothing insurmountable as the series progresses, mind you, but the Great Beasts and Master of the World references probably don't mean much to those not already invested in the characters from the original series.

Point 2: This compares favorably to the original series, with a few minor qualms. Marrina's characterization is completely different, but the original was so vanilla that I doubt anyone minds. I enjoyed the Spaced Invaders Easter egg. Prepare to die, Earth Scum! Was a catchphrase that myself and my idiot friends used circa 1989 after seeing that movie. Shaman cracking a joke was slightly out of character, but nothing major. Everyone seems to be a cut-up in comic books these days.

I enjoyed the Master's team, Alpha Strike. It was nice to see the whole team involved in a real donnybrook, like when they took on Omega Flight back in the day. Puck seems off of his rocker, which is kind of interesting. It's never really explored here, my guess being that they intended this to be the focus of a second or third arc. Sadly, the sales weren't there. I am glad that we have the first title worthy of the name Alpha Flight since the original series. The abysmal 2004 reboot? Forget about it. Jump right from the original series into this one.

I have loved Alpha Flight since I was a comic book buying kid in the '80s. I liked how dysfunctional and disjointed the team was, seldom operating as a real team like the Fantastic Four or The Avengers. I have read the original 28 issues of Alpha Flight dozens of times over the years, and know the original versions of these characters inside out. I stuck with the book until the issues in the 50s or 60s. I have bought every ill-fated and half-hearted attempt to reboot and/or reinvigorate these characters, mostly because I hate my money. The ill-advised 2004-2005 series, the Omega Flight mini-series a couple of years ago, etc., always hoping for a return to form and never getting one.

Until now. This is as close in tone and feel to John Byrne's run as we'll likely ever see. The artwork by Dale Eaglesham really captures the spirit and feel of the '80s title while looking and feeling modern. Pak and Van Lente are mostly faithful to the original characters, with the exception of Marrina, who is completely out of character here. The original character was nothing spectacular anyways, so this is a minor gripe. Puck is just downright bizarre now, but in a cool way. It doesn't matter, because Bill Mantlo inadvertently destroyed him.

I really enjoyed this book, and will have to bump up the trade paperback of the complete series up in queue to see how things end. This is about as solid a comic book as you can get, and it's a shame that it didn't last. All of the old villains tend to rear their heads, such as the Great Beasts.

[Nicolas · Rating 4 out of 5]

I know next to nothing about Alpha Flight, so this served as a good introduction. I liked the characters and am interested in the whole rogue super-heroes vibe it's going for. Plus it's set in Canada, so... I think I'll go along for the ride.

Tune in to my special interview with author Fred Van Lente over on the All the Books Show. https://soundcloud.com/allthebooks/of...

[Sctechsorceress · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked this up because it was described as a restart of the Alpha Flight series. This was a comic I used to read until it disappeared from my local comic supplier. Clearly I missed too much of the story to really appreciate this graphic novel.

[David Johnston · Rating 3 out of 5]

Canada becomes a dictatorship during the Fear Itself crossover. The United States seems oddly undisturbed by this development, temporary though it is. All in all it's pretty routine modern era comic book stuff.

[Jeffrey Jelmeland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Hopelessly juvenile drivel!

[Brian · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a comic I probably would have loved when I was ten.

[Craig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Pretty bad...I used to love this series.

[Hilary · Rating 3 out of 5]

We interviewed co-author Fred Van Lente for Previously on X-Men. Tune in here: http://previously-on-x-men.libsyn.com...