Red One, Book One: Welcome to America

Red One #1-2

by Xavier Dorison (Writer), Terry Dodson (Illustrator/Colorist), Rachel Dodson (Illustrator)

What if happens when America's Greatest Hero... is actually a Russian Spy? It's 1977, the height of the Cold War between USSR and US, and the Kremlin has a plan to win the war against Uncle Sam: Propaganda! Vera Yelnikov is an elite agent in the Soviet Army during the Cold War ― she IS the atomic bomb! Vera is sent to Los Angeles by her bosses at the Kremlin. Her mission? Become a true "American superhero", to be the spearhead of a propaganda operation of communist values in the land of Uncle Sam and fight against the "Carpenter", a fascist serial killer who blames America's ills on liberals. Vera is clumsy and ignorant of the customs of "the American way of life". Her secret identity in the US is Alabama Jones, and she must find a day job to cover her secret identity... a job that allows her to blend in and meet the aspirations of the Kremlin when the need arises as ― RED ONE!

Xavier Dorison (Long John Silver, The Third Testament) and Terry and Rachel Dodson (Star Wars: Princess Leia, Uncanny X-Men, Wonder Woman, Spider-Man, Harley Quinn) launch a sexy and funky new superhero story, straight out of a Tarantino film.

Collects RED ONE #1-2 & bonus material in an oversized European-style hardcover.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Bande Dessinée, Graphic Novels Comics, Sequential Art, Crime, Fiction

80 pages, Hardcover

First published September 24, 2014

About the author

Xavier Dorison est né en 1972 à Paris et passe trois années en école de commerce, où il organise le festival BD des Grandes Écoles, puis travaille chez Barclays Corp. Dès 1997, il écrit le premier tome du Troisième Testament, série co-scénarisé et dessiné par Alex Alice qui remporte un succès immédiat. Il publie ensuite deux séries aux Humanoïdes Associés : Prophet avec Matthieu Lauffray et Sanctuaire avec Christophe Bec. Il co-scénarise, avec Fabien Nury, le film Brigades du Tigre, qui sera également adapté en bande dessinée aux éditions Glénat avec Jean-Yves Delitte au dessin. Il co-scénarise, toujours avec Fabien Nury, le western fantastique W.E.S.T. mis en image par Christian Rossi. Et lance début 2007 une fresque pirate : Long John Silver. En 2008, il crée la série Les Sentinelles et participe au projet XIII Mystery, en scénarisant l'album sur La Mangouste. En 2008 également, il écrit Le Syndrome d'Abel pour son comparse Marazano, de retour au dessin. En septembre 2010, il s’associe à nouveau avec Alex Alice et commence la publication de l’antésuite du Troisième Testament, intitulée Julius, toujours chez Glénat. En mars 2012, paraît chez Dargaud le premier tome d’Asgard, série dans l’univers des vikings, dessinée par Ralph Meyer. En 2013 paraîtra chez Glénat une série coécrite avec son frère Guillaume Dorison.

Reviews

[Jayson · Rating 4 out of 5]

(B+) 78% | Good
Notes: Ambrosial artistically, it's cheerful cheesecake: a breezy burlesque, salacious by suggestion, but eminently endearing.

*Progress update

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

RED ONE fordert nicht unbedingt zu einer tiefsinnigen Review heraus; es ist ein wirklich gut gezeichnetes, unterhaltsames Comic, das leider viel zu schnell ausgelesen ist.
Eine "Superrussin", sexy und kampferfahren, als Agentin ins kapitalistische Kalifornien zu versetzen, wo sie in Kontakt zur Pornofilm-Szene gerät, während sie einen ultrakonservativen mörderischen Klassenfeind ausschalten soll, hätte sicherlich noch für einige witzige Ideen mehr gut sein können, aber auch so gab es ein paar gute Lacher.
Hervorzuheben ist noch, dass die tolle Artwork vom Format des Buches (31,8 x 24,1 cm, also größer als A4) profitiert, wodurch die Panels sehr gut zur Geltung kommen - und nicht nur die!


(XXL-Motive brauchen viel Platz)

3,5 Sterne und die Hoffnung auf einen noch stärkeren Fortsetzungsband (WELCOME TO AMERICA endet mit einem Cliffhanger).

[Gianfranco Mancini · Rating 4 out of 5]

What happens when America's greatest superhero is a russian spy? The answer is: lots of fun.
Great story, gorgeous art and the "Star Wars" joke was so funny! XD
Can't wait for next volume, this was just too much short (just two issues long).

[Martin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Hey, kids! It's Terry Dodson's new book! You know, the guy who rivals Frank Cho in the 'Buxom Ladies' art department.

So what's this book got going for it? Well, the buxom ladies of course, great visuals (and here I mean anything other than the previously mentioned voluptuous vamps), an oversized format, and an original (if somewhat flimsy and slow-to-be-established) plot idea. Oh, and great product design and production values (I'm talking about the hardcover itself, the 'outer shell' if you will).

What has the book going against it? For starters, it's too darn short. I mean, collecting only TWO (admittedly longer than average) issues of the 'Red One' series, it has - so to speak - little time to establish a beachhead on the shores of comics readers' minds (waxing poetic, Martin - reel it in!). The point of hardcovers or trade paperbacks is (as much as possible) to supply a self-sustaining story, capable of converting new readers to the series or (at the very least) keep the existing fan base. I sincerely doubt this objective was accomplished on a large scale.

In my case (and probably like some people who've read this book), I will probably read the next volume, provided it keeps those great visuals (all categories - wink, wink) and the oversized format, just to see where the story goes.

P.S.: I'll confess that what got my attention at the comic book store was the book's oversized-ness, its eye-popping and red & white cover. Oh yes, and the Terry Dodson chick with her jacket zipper down just so. It is explained in the book that the jacket is just too small for her (accidentally on purpose, for sure).

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

A polyamorous Soviet super spy kicking religious conservative ass in a porn-drenched, late ‘70s California. I like this version of Russian political intervention, but I’m not sure what I’ve just read.

[Sage · Rating 5 out of 5]

RED ONE: WELCOME TO AMERICA PART 1

I picked this one up on Free Comic Day. My pull list was getting even thinner since I dropped Batwoman and She-Hulk and I was looking for some new stuff in general and awesome women in particular to fill the empty slot.

I picked up my free comics and perused the Independent section of First Aid and saw this cover:

This stood out to me for several reasons. Number 1:...hello have you seen it? Number 2: I recognize the Dodson's work anywhere and I'm definitely a fan of their particular artistry and Terry's Wonder Woman is one of my favorites. Number 3: it's called Red One and the tagline on the back cover asked, "What happens when America's greatest hero is a Russian Spy?" How was I supposed to not pick it up? One of the Docs at First Aid assured me further that I was making a good choice because he was so excited to see it in my hand. He was like, "that one is so crazy...crazy good." That was it, I had to have it. I generally love comics I pick up on a whim from Image, so I got it. I'm sooo glad I did.

This title will be among the few that I've read the first issue of and immediately put it on my pull list. I've never read anything by this writer, Xavier Dorison, and I like his flair. This first issue sets a solid foundation and just enough intrigue to make me want to know more about our "protagonist?", Vera Yelnikov. She's snarky yet charming and unassuming; great for subterfuge. There's definitely some real potential brewing here for a story arc that's going to make everyone who didn't pull it sooner wish they had a time-traveling DeLorean.

Clayton Cowles lettering is a bit all over the place in size, but it's a jam packed issue and it's understandable. There are a couple frames that felt a bit choppy and there was some dialogue with a repeated word in this printing...



but none of it was a real hindrance.

I'm excited to read Welcome To America, Part 2 and, lucky for me, it's already on shelves. Support your local comicshop or head over to Imagecomics.com for a digital copy to make your screens prettier.

Also, Terry Dodson has a blog, The Bomb Shellter.



Red One is Copyright of Image Comics. Images featured under Fair Use for Review Purposes.

[Relstuart · Rating 1 out of 5]

I wonder if the author ever read The Gulag Archipelago (or anything similar)?


Coming back to this because I felt like further commenting... This book is based on an odd premise. Communist Russia sending a secret agent to America to become a hero for good to the American people. As odd as this is, it could actually be handled with creativity to be an interesting story. Russians were bombarded with propaganda about the evils of America and Western society in general. There are books by people who fled Russia and their impression of American society that could be looked at for what the main character would likely have felt for this story. There are also plenty of books about what it was like to live in Russia under communism. All of this material that could have helped the author write characters that would have been true to life seems to be something that author is likely unfamiliar with based on the actual product. As a result, on a scale of 1 to 10, 1 being implausible and ten being completely plausible, this story rates about a minus 7. .

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Clever premise, chic 1970's setting, and eye popping artwork. The only problem was that it felt way too short.

[Chris Walker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ugh.

This was not an enjoyable read. It manages to take what is actually an interesting premise, the Soviet Union planting an agent in the US as a superhero in order to sway public opinion and foreign policy, and does absolutely nothing interesting with it.

The overarching plot is as simplistic as it is nonsensical. In 1977 LA a group of extremist Christian conservatives begins a campaign of terror against all things they deem godless and immoral, with a focus on the adult entertainment industry. They're led by a female pastor who is running for governor of California and championed by a superpowered zealot who goes by the name of The Carpenter. The Soviets, worried that her election will disrupt the signing of the SALT II Treaty (how the hell a governor has any influence over the signing of international treaties is never explained) decide to send their most talented agent, Vera Yelnikov, to disrupt this plan and win the hearts and minds of the American public by becoming a superhero (Red One), bringing them to see themselves "more as Bob Marley than John Wayne." No worries that Vera knows nothing about America or its culture. She's obviously the most qualified person for the job.

And it's all downhill from there. The rest of the book largely consists of Vera being sexually propositioned or propositioning people and beating up a series of cookie cutter fascists, including once in a high school bathroom. (What was she doing there? Who knows.) For a day job she serves as a personal assistant of sorts for an adult film director, a plot development whose main purpose seems to be to provide an excuse for Vera to hang around on film sets and at pool parties. The book ends on a really poorly placed cliffhanger, which I guess is just as well, as I had been willing the book to end for a while at that point.

Terry Dodson's art and Rachel Dodson's inking are actually pretty good. It's unfortunate that they focus their talents on objectifying Vera within an inch of her life. There's a funny moment in the extras at the end of the book. A sketch of Red One's original costume appears, and it's such a blatant ripoff of John Romita Sr.'s Black Widow costume design that it's no wonder why the change was made.

I would recommend avoiding Red One at all costs.

[Scotto Moore · Rating 1 out of 5]

giant-sized nope. sort of feel a little gross after reading it and i didn't even get to the end of it. also i'm not a stickler for plausibility in comic books, but there was zero percent of it in this book. i'm trying to understand what sad chain of events convinced me to buy this so that i can document it and staple the document to my arm, thus preventing similar purchases in the future.

[Mike · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horribly sexist. Nonsensical plot.

[47Time · Rating 2 out of 5]

Plenty of TnA in this one, but Frank Cho still does it better by far. Tight outfits, a pornstar party, spycraft and superheroes should be an easy win, right? Think again. The shallowness here is annoying. Then again, it may be trying to be funny. It fails at that too. The pinups are its only redeeming quality.

A puritan movement led by Jacky Core in the US threatens to restart the Cold War. The Russians mobilize their superpowered Vera to infiltrate LA and bring down Jacky, but without turning her into a martyr,nso it must . Vera has no experience in spycraft, so she has to rely on her looks and powers. Also she's a sex freak, quite gratuitously, a dunce in general and somewhat of an alcoholic. Being a strong, independent woman, she can't cook eggs. I get it - feminism. But seriously, anyone with half a working brain cell can cook eggs.

After getting hired as a personal assistant by a porn director, Vera dons a tight suit and the moniker Red One and starts helping people who are victims of Jacky's followers. The struggle will be a challenge since Jacky's side has gained considerable influence.

[Bill Coffin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a hopelessly dumb and unbelievable story that is somewhat redeemed by Terry Dodson's outstanding artwork. But even the gorgeous visuals can't overcome a narrative that feels lazily written, doesn't reflect even a cursory level of research, and fetishizes things that probably shouldn't be fetishized. (Did Dorison *really* think that a hammer-and-sickle-wielding vigilante could become a top celebrity in 1977 America, even by the standards of superhero comic logic?) Dorison could have crafted a much better comment on American society if he wanted, and much more defensible love letter to the Soviet Union if he wanted, but it seems his central concept of a chesty superspy got in the way of all that.

[Matthew J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oops. That ended abruptly. There's definitely a lot of potential here. Not sure if it was ever realized. Looks like there was at least another volume. But I don't have it, nor am I likely to find it.
I like the art and the vibe. Some of it is a bit much. The tone feels very European, flipping from goofy to a touch grim and back again.

[Eric · Rating 2 out of 5]

It had potential, but the story was just lacking very bad. Poor character writing and the plot had no idea where it wanted to go. Could have been presented a little better. The art was very clean and well done though.

[Ken Ransom · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of Soviet Agent Vera Yelnikov sent by the Kremlin 10 1977 Los Angeles to become an American Superhero and spread communist propaganda is notable chiefly because of the illustrations.

[Sean]

Great art, so-so story.

[Kayzee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Finally stopped 3/4th through as I realized I wasn’t enjoying the book. The illustrations were keeping my attention but the storyline just wasn’t.

[Andrew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fabulous art but horrible bare-bones story: all of the stars are for the Dodson's illustrations

[Barry Bridges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful Dodson artwork and an interesting plot by Xavier Dorison. Love it!

[PierroF · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5
Le découpage des planches est chouette et agréable à lire mais l'intrigue est d'une lourdeur que la couverture annonçait bien. Les méchants capitaliste puritains meurtriers contre les gentils communistes libérés... bon.
A voir si la suite donne un contre pied mais pour l'instant ça sonne surtout prétexte à faire fantasmer le lecteur homme sur une super-héroine délurée.
Rien à voir ni avec du capitalisme ni avec du communisme.

[Pavel Pravda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I like Xavier Dorison's stories and I love Terry Dodson's art. Additionally this story is really funny. I enjoyed it! I read it in Polish.

[Anton · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have only one issue with this book but it's a major one for me. The next time Xavier Dorison decides to write about Russia/Soviet Union he should do a proper research (though, he said in the interview that he did TONS of research). My patriotic feelings toward Russia are not hurt, I don't have them, but, seriously, it's 2017. We have Google. Why couldn't he have googled some proper Russian names, at least? Who are these Lyblin and Volko from the first issue? Does the author really think that it sounds like a Russian name?
What is this "красно одно" from the synopsis. It's jibberish. It doesn't have any meaning.
Orgies in Soviet Union (or what was it with five naked people in one bed?)? This is the last thing that comes to mind when you think about sex in Soviet Union.
Also, the interiors in Soviet Union, apparently, all looked like the interiors of all the sitcoms ever. Were there really no photos of soviet interiors on the web?
And the whole premise of the United States hating gays and porn, and Soviet Union, though for their own goal, basically, protecting and supporting them, seems very unlikely.
Or maybe, of course, it's all deliberate, and I just don't understand the joke, but in said interview there was nothing about silly names or orgies.
I guess, all his research was about California in the 70s.

[Andy Haigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Red One: Welcome to America from French “Eurocomics” writer Xavier Dorison with art from Terry and Rachel Dodson will probably leave people used to American comics a little bit confused, it's a larger format but only collects together two somewhat bigger issues. This is pretty much the norm for various Eurocomics publishers (Dorison's The Third Testament was published in 4 slender books which were recently published in English by Titan) rather than having the 5+ issues that is the norm for American comics which are published in the smaller format.

As for Red One itself it features Soviet Agent Vera Yelnikov sent by the Kremlin to infiltrate the U.S to become an American superhero and spread communist propaganda in the late 70's. Anyone expecting a story arc which resolves itself by the end like those found in American comics will be left wanting as the story is just getting started here with things ending somewhat abruptly but there's a refreshing sense of fun throughout.

Terry and Rachel Dodson's art benefits from the large format and much like Frank Cho they excel at drawing beautiful people, especially women, this will either be seen as a major plus or a reason to start tutting about women being sexualised in comics.

[Bert · Rating 2 out of 5]

Sort of a spy story mixed with a bit of a superhero trope.

Bit of an odd duck, this: since the makers are going for a "European release schedule", it means this first volume is a lot flimsier than the average TPB. They claim this is to increase the quality, but quite frankly I don't see much of that here: the story is predictable, the heroine is ridiculously hot and yet also an incredible fighting machine, and this first volume doesn't really end on a finished note.

I don't think I'll be reading any of her further adventures.

[Chantale · Rating 1 out of 5]

I heard good things about this and had expectations for a strong female super hero. For an empowered woman she has her clueless moments. Red One stands up for all sexual preferences, great. She is a bit too sexual and free love 70's. Male gaze, check. Duh oh no, my costume doesn't fit! Aggravating that old and ugly men in comics can easily get the over sexualized woman. Drink, party, love, sex, sure, but she has the potential to do all this while being presented in a better light. Great artwork, it's the character I wish more for.

[Danielle Booey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Red One is a fun Soviet alterna-history of the United States in the 1970s. It is definitely for mature audiences as much of the plot revolves around the adult film industry. Vera is a compelling main character with charm and skills to spare. The highlight of the cast, however, is probably Lew.

This is a really well put together book. The oversized hardcover is just beautiful. The pencils and inks are crisp. The colors are subdued and yet pop during pivotal moments. A highly recommended read for anyone who enjoys new Image comics. I can't wait for volume 2.

[Matthew · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great art bolsters a silly, slight story of a Russian super-agent sent to undermine an alternate America of the 1970s where rampant Christian fundamentalism is on the rise and threatens world peace. At just two issues, though nicely presented, it goes nowhere near answering its tag line, "What happens when America's Greatest Hero...is actually a Russian Spy?"

[Lulu · Rating 4 out of 5]

She's enormous fun - modesty blaise does the Motherland.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

via NYPL - I was expecting pleasant fluff and that's mostly what I got. There's a suggestion of something deeper, but it doesn't really go far enough to matter. Maybe future volumes will do more.