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Icon #1
A Hero's Welcome
The flagship character from Milestone Comics is back in this new printing of the classic title collecting ICON #1-8. This is the title that introduced Augustus Freeman, a successful lawyer who covertly uses his alien super-powers to help those in need. But when a teenaged girl from the streets convinces him to use his abilities to inspire his people and becomes his sidekick, Rocket, the affluent Augustus embraces his true destiny and becomes Icon, the hero of Dakota.
192 pages, Paperback
First published December 1, 1993
13 people are currently reading
213 people want to read
About the author
M.D. Bright
382 books4 followersMark D. Bright (born 1955) is an American comic book and storyboard artist. Sometimes credited as Doc Bright (a play on his initials), he is best known for pencilling the Marvel Comics Iron Man story Armor Wars, the two Green Lantern: Emerald Dawn miniseries for DC Comics, for painting the iconic cover to Marvel Comics' Transformers #5, (featuring the Decepticon Shockwave and the haunting words "Are All Dead" underneath the series title), and for co-creating Quantum and Woody with writer Christopher J. Priest. Mostly out of comics, Bright is now a freelance storyboard artist, although he and Priest reunited for a 5-issue Quantum and Woody miniseries published by the new incarnation of Valiant Comics in 2014–2015, but set in the continuity of the original Quantum and Woody series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 16, 2022
”Damn you! You can’t do anything right! You’re the big, rich conservative. You’re supposed to make me keep the baby! I...want to keep the baby.”
Icon: Heroes Welcome is by far one of the most thought-provoking and unique superhero origins I have ever touched, with Dwayne McDuffie & M.D. Bright asking some interesting questions in this one and not giving you any clear answers, which I love. I always hear this series compared to Superman, but honestly, besides a few obvious parallels, Superman and Icon have next to nothing in common, and while I find those comparisons fair after the recent Reginald Hudlin-led reboot, Icon is so much more than just a Black Superman and this incredible origin proves why.
Even though it’s titled Icon, the main character here is arguably Raquel Ervin aka Rocket, a 15-year-old aspiring writer. During a home robbery she commits with her friends, she witnesses the power of Augustus Freeman IV, a conservative African-American man who has lived on Earth since landing in the Antebellum South in 1839 as an alien, before taking the form of the slave woman who rescued him from his ship that landed in a cotton field (OMG THAT’S LITERALLY SUPERMAN). This confrontation leads to Rocket going to Augustus later with the idea of becoming a superhero so that they can set an example for people. Bam, now we have Icon & Rocket, two very different people who work together to make Dakota a better place.
There are so many great moments in these first 8 issues alone: McDuffie handling Rocket’s teen pregnancy with grace, Icon confronting the Blood Syndicate, all of Augustus and Raquel’s debates/arguments, and Augustus relaying his entire backstory to Raquel. McDuffie’s social commentary is spot-on as well, but it always is so that shouldn’y be surprising.
McDuffie, as stated before, also poses a lot of questions but never really gives you a clear answer: Does Icon’s conduct make him a true hero? Is he really a black man, or just an alien in blackface? Does his longevity of life give him a better view of America’s problems or does it just place him beyond real understanding? And, again as stated before, those answers are mostly up to you to figure out. The art by M.D. Bright is sublime as well, and even the issues he would later write are amazing, proving just how well he understood this character.
This, along with Hardware and Far Sector, is one of my favorite superhero origins of all time. Books like this prove that Milestone Comics was the hub for diverse characters in comics by diverse writers who poured their heart and soul into every issue. I adored this and can’t wait to dive back into the rest of my singles eventually.
Icon: Heroes Welcome is by far one of the most thought-provoking and unique superhero origins I have ever touched, with Dwayne McDuffie & M.D. Bright asking some interesting questions in this one and not giving you any clear answers, which I love. I always hear this series compared to Superman, but honestly, besides a few obvious parallels, Superman and Icon have next to nothing in common, and while I find those comparisons fair after the recent Reginald Hudlin-led reboot, Icon is so much more than just a Black Superman and this incredible origin proves why.
Even though it’s titled Icon, the main character here is arguably Raquel Ervin aka Rocket, a 15-year-old aspiring writer. During a home robbery she commits with her friends, she witnesses the power of Augustus Freeman IV, a conservative African-American man who has lived on Earth since landing in the Antebellum South in 1839 as an alien, before taking the form of the slave woman who rescued him from his ship that landed in a cotton field (OMG THAT’S LITERALLY SUPERMAN). This confrontation leads to Rocket going to Augustus later with the idea of becoming a superhero so that they can set an example for people. Bam, now we have Icon & Rocket, two very different people who work together to make Dakota a better place.
There are so many great moments in these first 8 issues alone: McDuffie handling Rocket’s teen pregnancy with grace, Icon confronting the Blood Syndicate, all of Augustus and Raquel’s debates/arguments, and Augustus relaying his entire backstory to Raquel. McDuffie’s social commentary is spot-on as well, but it always is so that shouldn’y be surprising.
McDuffie, as stated before, also poses a lot of questions but never really gives you a clear answer: Does Icon’s conduct make him a true hero? Is he really a black man, or just an alien in blackface? Does his longevity of life give him a better view of America’s problems or does it just place him beyond real understanding? And, again as stated before, those answers are mostly up to you to figure out. The art by M.D. Bright is sublime as well, and even the issues he would later write are amazing, proving just how well he understood this character.
This, along with Hardware and Far Sector, is one of my favorite superhero origins of all time. Books like this prove that Milestone Comics was the hub for diverse characters in comics by diverse writers who poured their heart and soul into every issue. I adored this and can’t wait to dive back into the rest of my singles eventually.
August 19, 2022
What if Superman was black and grew up in a slave plantation? Icon crash-landed on Earth in the 1830's, having lived many lives, he now practices law in the made up city of Dakota where he's convinced to use his powers to help people by a teenage girl. It's amazing how this book is just as relevant today as it was in 1993 when it was first released. McDuffie and Bright tackle issues of police brutality, teenage pregnancy, and income inequality. The more things change, the more they stay the same.
December 27, 2015
Remarkably good. Reminds me of Alan Moore, but lends itself well to an ongoing episodic format.
The basic premise is "What if Superman was raised by black slaves instead of the Kents?" The result is the superhero Icon, but he doesn't become a superhero until a young woman suggests it to him. She becomes his sidekick, Rocket. The characters are interesting and different, nodding toward the Superman origin but creating their own mythos with their own themes and topics. It does a great job of being politically relevant without being propaganda--I don't usually like gang stories or political stories, but the characters and writing make up for it.
The art is also great. I really enjoyed the whole experience of reading this and I wish more people had heard of it.
The basic premise is "What if Superman was raised by black slaves instead of the Kents?" The result is the superhero Icon, but he doesn't become a superhero until a young woman suggests it to him. She becomes his sidekick, Rocket. The characters are interesting and different, nodding toward the Superman origin but creating their own mythos with their own themes and topics. It does a great job of being politically relevant without being propaganda--I don't usually like gang stories or political stories, but the characters and writing make up for it.
The art is also great. I really enjoyed the whole experience of reading this and I wish more people had heard of it.
February 28, 2022
What Dwayne McDuffie did with Milestone, and Icon specifically, ought to be the unquestioned template for creating and introducing a superhero universe from scratch. These eight issues are so good. I've often heard Icon compared to Superman, described as a Black Superman. But that is such a reductive and asinine assertion. Icon is so much more than just a Black Superman. Rocket, Icon's fifteen-year-old partner, is the narrator of most of the series' first eight issues, and she is the heart and soul of the title. This comic is excellent, and you really ought to read it right now!
Listen up, Walter Hamada, Geoff Johns, et al, give us an Icon/Milestone HBO Max series at your earliest convenience!!! Pretty please.
Listen up, Walter Hamada, Geoff Johns, et al, give us an Icon/Milestone HBO Max series at your earliest convenience!!! Pretty please.
August 4, 2021
Icon takes the Superman archetype and gives it a twist. Rather than landing in a white rural community, Icon lands in a slave community in the early 1800s. Fast forwarding to the 90s, he is a rich conservative lawyer. His life changes when a group of youth from the inner city break into his mansion. One of them is inspired by the amazing feats that he can do and ends up inspiring him to become a superhero (and she becomes his sidekick, Rocket). Even though this was written back in the 90s, it deals with a lot of social issues that are still relevant today. It's not afraid to pull punches as it deals with issues such as police violence, poverty and teen pregnancy. One thing that I respected was that Icon and Rocket are from different sides of the political world, but they respect each other and are able to work together. Something that we don't see a lot these days.
On the downside, this is definitely a product of the 90s. On the whole, it has aged better than some of its contemporaries in terms of story and content. Although, Icon's origin is repeated a few times in this volume, which makes the second half of the book feel weaker since it covers material that has already been covered. Also, the character designs are hardly bearable. Icon's cape is way too big (if it were converted into a tent, it could probably house about 12 people). The designs of the Blood Syndicate characters are terrible (although Wise Son still rocks it).
On the downside, this is definitely a product of the 90s. On the whole, it has aged better than some of its contemporaries in terms of story and content. Although, Icon's origin is repeated a few times in this volume, which makes the second half of the book feel weaker since it covers material that has already been covered. Also, the character designs are hardly bearable. Icon's cape is way too big (if it were converted into a tent, it could probably house about 12 people). The designs of the Blood Syndicate characters are terrible (although Wise Son still rocks it).
March 29, 2023
A great start to a great series so far. The first 8 issues here deal with things like systematic racism, teen pregnancy, lost and broken, and so much more. Even with all that has the superhero flare of crime fighting with Icon being a Superman like hero and his trusty sidekick Rocket, who she deals with her own issues. Similar to a Batman/Robin situation.
Overall, great stuff. Probably my favorite of the Milestone stuff and that's saying something.
Overall, great stuff. Probably my favorite of the Milestone stuff and that's saying something.
March 18, 2014
Although Static Shock has achieved more fame, Icon was one of my favorite comic books. Imagine Superman arrives in the USA in 1839 and takes the form of the first person who finds him and..... that person happens to be slave!
Fast forward a 150 years and we have Augustus Freeman IV a conservative African American lawyer who reveals his powers to prevent a robbery of his home by a group of teens. One of those teens, Rachel, amends her ways and approaches Mr. Freeman about becoming an ICON for the African American community. Icon and Rachel (the Rocket) become a crime fighting force but..... the police attack them when they try to help and Rachel finds out that she is pregnant!
Icon deftly deals with issues of gangs, racism and teen pregnancy wrapped in a comic book. It is well written and illustrated and delivers the social commentary of a good science fiction story.
Fast forward a 150 years and we have Augustus Freeman IV a conservative African American lawyer who reveals his powers to prevent a robbery of his home by a group of teens. One of those teens, Rachel, amends her ways and approaches Mr. Freeman about becoming an ICON for the African American community. Icon and Rachel (the Rocket) become a crime fighting force but..... the police attack them when they try to help and Rachel finds out that she is pregnant!
Icon deftly deals with issues of gangs, racism and teen pregnancy wrapped in a comic book. It is well written and illustrated and delivers the social commentary of a good science fiction story.
November 27, 2009
Icon isn't exactly timeless—it's clearly a product of the early to mid 1990s in many respects—but it was a surprisingly mature work, and of the many superhero universes that cropped up during that decade, the Milestone one was one of the better ones. It's certainly one of the few well wroth revisiting. The premise is basically "What if Superman were a black man?" and writer Dwayne McDuffie answers that question in a way that feels politically relevant without ever losing its sense of humor or its mission statement as a superhero comic. This trade collets the first eight issues; I hope more trades collecting the rest of the series follow.
May 3, 2022
A much better than average take on ersatz Superman: Icon is the name on the book, but it's really sidekick Rocket/Raquel that drives the story, something I haven't seen in a lot of single hero books. It's good to see a lot of this Milestone stuff on DC Universe since it was clearly wildly slept on or a little too advanced for the times.
June 11, 2024
Issue #1
McDuffie you absolute genius. Icon follows an alien, quite like Superman in that he was found as a baby and raised in the human world. But unlike Superman, he has built himself up as a lawyer without the use of powers or apparently the perception of others, as such he does not go out into the world to actively help others. Also unlike Superman, it appears this alien was fully grown and able to change himself into a human baby when discovered. I am interested to find out more later if he still has all of the information about his home world.
But everything changes once he meets Raquel. While with friends one night they decide to try and rob a few houses, and their first stop happens to be Augustus Freeman’s house. Through Raquel and Augustus’s encounter that night two sets of ideals were exchanged.
Rocket saw an icon, someone with her skin color, able to do magnificent things. Icon saw the truth about the world he was living in. Icon says it best, “I pretended that those who suffer under such conditions must have brought them upon themselves. And while they have lived without hope, I have lived a lie.”
Icon and rocket were then born, with the roles somewhat reversed in the naivety that icon still has about the world. And of course in perfect McDuffie fashion the first issue ends with Icon attempting to assist at a police encounter and immediately getting the guns turned on him. I already so engaged and absolutely love this art, I already know the painstaking work behind the scenes at milestone that went into this and it has paid off so well.
Issue #2
The big thing I notice in this issue is the nature of icon and rockets relationship. It seems like even though they are from completely different backgrounds icon has begun to understand how rocket works.
Rocket: “Hey Icon! How’d you know I was still here?”
Icon: “because I ordered you to leave.”
I am also loving rockets abilities, being able to redirect energy is always an OP ability but this also allows it to be used for flight and shielding subconsciously. I am curious about if she will start asking about how Icon created it or got it from. Especially because icon also confirmed this issue that he has over 100 years of memories. That popped up when he allowed himself to be shackled, with such powerful imagery as well.
But also what an absolute shock of an ending. The person taking the mayor hostage appears to be a hand to the mayor but was involved in some incident with special gas that the mayor let loose. And it turned him into a giant free mutant? What?!?! Also I love icon and rockets reaction to the point of the guy handing them the gun, then transforming in front of their eyes.
Issue #3
Even with he first issue I have loved the creative choices of icon’s cape, even before it was a cape. It reminds me a lot about how spawns cape seems to flow and shift. But instead at times it seems to be this larger than life cape, almost like wings, and it’s glorious.
But wow what a crazy issue by itself. Icon ended up getting a reality check by facing an enemy that could hurt even him. He didn’t think that was possible, and now in this new role as icon he is facing so many more challenges that he would have never faced. On the flip side it’s interesting how icon can be injured by an enemy while rocket can take the brute force head on and redirect it. I wonder if that plays into icon’s nativity about the world and having to truly face challenges for the first time, while Rocket has already faced those her entire life. Not sure, but it’s also really cool to see her use her tech for more options, such as a giant light.
Also, it’s funny how I mention icon facing challenges in this world, then his first mission wins him a key to the city and the love and admiration of all the people. And SOB McDuffie ending each issue with another surprise. Rocket is pregnant. WHAT?
Issue #4
I love seeing how ahead of the times milestone was when it came to telling black stories. And im surprised those jerks over at the comics code authority didn’t block them at every turn. Being able to tell story like Raquel’s with her entire life just beginning but then being faced with a challenge like pregnancy and all of the awkward moments at the check out counter and the worrying about the future that comes with it.
On the other side we also have Icon following up with every ability in his name to what payback in the last issue was talking about. The gas that was used by the mayor during an event known as the Big Bang. Which leads icon to a group called the blood syndicate which in my view appears to be a group effected by the same gas that caused payback to mutate, probably giving them powers as well. I’m curious and excited to keep seeing how this story unfolds.
Issue #5
This issue revealed a big part of icon’s origin in the header of this issue. It revealed that he crashed to earth and disguised himself in 1839. That means when he mentioned being in chains and over 100 years of history, he meant human history. Over 154 earth years. That’s crazy, especially coming to the realization that he landed in the Deep South so those chains were of slavery, and he is still waiting on rescue from his species.
I also love the mass of the blood syndicate members it’s such a jumble of abilities and names. On one hand you have mysterious names like flashback, masquerade, and fade. But then you also have names that is just straight up Dogg or DMZ. Somebody sign DMZ to a label right now, he can get them all out.
But DMZ is especially interesting out of all of them, as Icon directly identified him as I think another one of his alien species that has hidden himself among the group. Maybe he is also stuck on this planet.
Also I will continue to argue that time manipulation is one of the most over powered abilities. Even when it’s only turning time back 3 seconds. But from icons perspective, just like with how he boosted his suit with armor to counter claws that can slice him, this seems like an ability that reverses time for a subject but keeps them conscious of the actions. And now that he realizes that he may be able to anticipate and redirect, even if it happens to him again.
Raquel’s storyline continues to be such a raw human experience, reflected through the grandma’s acknowledgment of the cycle that she no longer has the power to support even though she still loves her, she physically just can’t, and it hurts to see how powerful Raquel is, in such a powerless situation. This part of the story has started to slow down with a lot happening in a short time, so I am anticipating the moment when Rocket and Icon get together to actually talk again.
Issue #6
What a non stop issue from back to front. We have rocket coming in to backup icon and with her abilities she ended up giving enough time for icon to pull another trick from his infinite pocket. Pulling out a giant glowing death beam is crazy. But of course as they finally got to talk later, icon was not happy with rocket putting her pregnancy in harms way.
But what’s even more curious is the talk between icon and DMZ. It’s clear now they are both stranded but DMZ doesn’t even know the local language, and must of grown on this planet quite differently.
But that final conversation between Icon and Rocket and the blood syndicate really tied this issue together, but Rocket was the one to really get it. “You already got your turf. You rant the cops off, all the other gangs, the dopers. Paris island is your. So wha are you gonna do with it?”
Absolutely hard hitting, and now we are left at the end of this issue with a promise. The entire truth behind icon.
Issue #7
I love McDuffie so much. Sets us up with the next issue being about icon’s origin and calms it “the moment of truth.”
Then the entire issue follows Raquel as she debates getting an abortion or not in the most human comic I’ve ever read.
“So you don’t have the right answer, huh?”
“There isn’t one. Or, if there is, it’s different for everybody.”
Such a powerful sentiment that is pushed even further to reach Raquel’s decision after Icon discusses that with the love of his life, due to the risk of his alien DNA, decided to terminate her pregnancy rather than risk her health.
This comic issue is so masterfully handled to put you right into the human perspective on the abortion debate and really lets you see why it shouldn’t be a debate in the first place. No one is the same so trying to decide the same option for everyone is impossible.
This issue further reinforced the differences between Rocket and Icon. And does also further show how Rocket was the one to tie together the conversation with the blood syndicate last issue, as Icon is still the heavy handed conservative lawyer putting away purse snatchers for 5 years into the prison industrial complex as he sees it as their chance to reform. While Rocket is currently living the truth behind those complexes.
But as icon does show to rocket, not every situation is as one sided as social constructs may make them out to be, and human experiences have the chance to touch everyone.
Issue #8
“I think I just figured out how a black man could be a conservative republican… you’re from outer space!” FINALLY ROCKET BELIEVES HIM!
Tho issue acted as a great recap issue and reminding us of the hopeful writer roots that Raquel introduced herself as in the first issue. And then we get to start diving into the history of Icon, and it starts with a tale of a fateful trip…lol.
But in all seriousness, it’s so crazy that icon is just an alien from a developed world that got to the point of star cruise lines, and he is so powerful compared to everyone else on earth. He doesn’t even have vast scientific knowledge to adapt his technology or even get him off world but he has still managed to create a device for Rocket to fight with.
Also on that cruise line, it’s interesting how he described someone looking a lot like DMZ to be a sort of cop, I’m so curious to see where that storyline takes is now.
But then hearing about his life before it’s no wonder he wants to go home. From his life before he has a role similar to a lawyer, as a mediator to decide the best outcome for society between rare disputes. But on Earth, as a lawyer for years, he has gotten multiple complicated disputes every day. It’s overtime overdrive from his perspective.
But even more curious, once Raquel asked about the belt she has, icon said that one of his friends boosted it and did some work on it, but still has the other one. What is this a reference to!?
But the final pages of this book, really tie everything together so nicely with the Cliff notes version of Icon’s long life. DC is missing out so hard with not adapting this character bigger. This is basically their Wolverine, but as someone who has lived and fought through the African American experience. And then you have rocket as a perfect counter for the modern day African American life.
Final thoughts: what an amazing way for milestone to start, I’m so excited to dive into other comics like hardware and static if they are all like this. Truthful and riveting.
McDuffie you absolute genius. Icon follows an alien, quite like Superman in that he was found as a baby and raised in the human world. But unlike Superman, he has built himself up as a lawyer without the use of powers or apparently the perception of others, as such he does not go out into the world to actively help others. Also unlike Superman, it appears this alien was fully grown and able to change himself into a human baby when discovered. I am interested to find out more later if he still has all of the information about his home world.
But everything changes once he meets Raquel. While with friends one night they decide to try and rob a few houses, and their first stop happens to be Augustus Freeman’s house. Through Raquel and Augustus’s encounter that night two sets of ideals were exchanged.
Rocket saw an icon, someone with her skin color, able to do magnificent things. Icon saw the truth about the world he was living in. Icon says it best, “I pretended that those who suffer under such conditions must have brought them upon themselves. And while they have lived without hope, I have lived a lie.”
Icon and rocket were then born, with the roles somewhat reversed in the naivety that icon still has about the world. And of course in perfect McDuffie fashion the first issue ends with Icon attempting to assist at a police encounter and immediately getting the guns turned on him. I already so engaged and absolutely love this art, I already know the painstaking work behind the scenes at milestone that went into this and it has paid off so well.
Issue #2
The big thing I notice in this issue is the nature of icon and rockets relationship. It seems like even though they are from completely different backgrounds icon has begun to understand how rocket works.
Rocket: “Hey Icon! How’d you know I was still here?”
Icon: “because I ordered you to leave.”
I am also loving rockets abilities, being able to redirect energy is always an OP ability but this also allows it to be used for flight and shielding subconsciously. I am curious about if she will start asking about how Icon created it or got it from. Especially because icon also confirmed this issue that he has over 100 years of memories. That popped up when he allowed himself to be shackled, with such powerful imagery as well.
But also what an absolute shock of an ending. The person taking the mayor hostage appears to be a hand to the mayor but was involved in some incident with special gas that the mayor let loose. And it turned him into a giant free mutant? What?!?! Also I love icon and rockets reaction to the point of the guy handing them the gun, then transforming in front of their eyes.
Issue #3
Even with he first issue I have loved the creative choices of icon’s cape, even before it was a cape. It reminds me a lot about how spawns cape seems to flow and shift. But instead at times it seems to be this larger than life cape, almost like wings, and it’s glorious.
But wow what a crazy issue by itself. Icon ended up getting a reality check by facing an enemy that could hurt even him. He didn’t think that was possible, and now in this new role as icon he is facing so many more challenges that he would have never faced. On the flip side it’s interesting how icon can be injured by an enemy while rocket can take the brute force head on and redirect it. I wonder if that plays into icon’s nativity about the world and having to truly face challenges for the first time, while Rocket has already faced those her entire life. Not sure, but it’s also really cool to see her use her tech for more options, such as a giant light.
Also, it’s funny how I mention icon facing challenges in this world, then his first mission wins him a key to the city and the love and admiration of all the people. And SOB McDuffie ending each issue with another surprise. Rocket is pregnant. WHAT?
Issue #4
I love seeing how ahead of the times milestone was when it came to telling black stories. And im surprised those jerks over at the comics code authority didn’t block them at every turn. Being able to tell story like Raquel’s with her entire life just beginning but then being faced with a challenge like pregnancy and all of the awkward moments at the check out counter and the worrying about the future that comes with it.
On the other side we also have Icon following up with every ability in his name to what payback in the last issue was talking about. The gas that was used by the mayor during an event known as the Big Bang. Which leads icon to a group called the blood syndicate which in my view appears to be a group effected by the same gas that caused payback to mutate, probably giving them powers as well. I’m curious and excited to keep seeing how this story unfolds.
Issue #5
This issue revealed a big part of icon’s origin in the header of this issue. It revealed that he crashed to earth and disguised himself in 1839. That means when he mentioned being in chains and over 100 years of history, he meant human history. Over 154 earth years. That’s crazy, especially coming to the realization that he landed in the Deep South so those chains were of slavery, and he is still waiting on rescue from his species.
I also love the mass of the blood syndicate members it’s such a jumble of abilities and names. On one hand you have mysterious names like flashback, masquerade, and fade. But then you also have names that is just straight up Dogg or DMZ. Somebody sign DMZ to a label right now, he can get them all out.
But DMZ is especially interesting out of all of them, as Icon directly identified him as I think another one of his alien species that has hidden himself among the group. Maybe he is also stuck on this planet.
Also I will continue to argue that time manipulation is one of the most over powered abilities. Even when it’s only turning time back 3 seconds. But from icons perspective, just like with how he boosted his suit with armor to counter claws that can slice him, this seems like an ability that reverses time for a subject but keeps them conscious of the actions. And now that he realizes that he may be able to anticipate and redirect, even if it happens to him again.
Raquel’s storyline continues to be such a raw human experience, reflected through the grandma’s acknowledgment of the cycle that she no longer has the power to support even though she still loves her, she physically just can’t, and it hurts to see how powerful Raquel is, in such a powerless situation. This part of the story has started to slow down with a lot happening in a short time, so I am anticipating the moment when Rocket and Icon get together to actually talk again.
Issue #6
What a non stop issue from back to front. We have rocket coming in to backup icon and with her abilities she ended up giving enough time for icon to pull another trick from his infinite pocket. Pulling out a giant glowing death beam is crazy. But of course as they finally got to talk later, icon was not happy with rocket putting her pregnancy in harms way.
But what’s even more curious is the talk between icon and DMZ. It’s clear now they are both stranded but DMZ doesn’t even know the local language, and must of grown on this planet quite differently.
But that final conversation between Icon and Rocket and the blood syndicate really tied this issue together, but Rocket was the one to really get it. “You already got your turf. You rant the cops off, all the other gangs, the dopers. Paris island is your. So wha are you gonna do with it?”
Absolutely hard hitting, and now we are left at the end of this issue with a promise. The entire truth behind icon.
Issue #7
I love McDuffie so much. Sets us up with the next issue being about icon’s origin and calms it “the moment of truth.”
Then the entire issue follows Raquel as she debates getting an abortion or not in the most human comic I’ve ever read.
“So you don’t have the right answer, huh?”
“There isn’t one. Or, if there is, it’s different for everybody.”
Such a powerful sentiment that is pushed even further to reach Raquel’s decision after Icon discusses that with the love of his life, due to the risk of his alien DNA, decided to terminate her pregnancy rather than risk her health.
This comic issue is so masterfully handled to put you right into the human perspective on the abortion debate and really lets you see why it shouldn’t be a debate in the first place. No one is the same so trying to decide the same option for everyone is impossible.
This issue further reinforced the differences between Rocket and Icon. And does also further show how Rocket was the one to tie together the conversation with the blood syndicate last issue, as Icon is still the heavy handed conservative lawyer putting away purse snatchers for 5 years into the prison industrial complex as he sees it as their chance to reform. While Rocket is currently living the truth behind those complexes.
But as icon does show to rocket, not every situation is as one sided as social constructs may make them out to be, and human experiences have the chance to touch everyone.
Issue #8
“I think I just figured out how a black man could be a conservative republican… you’re from outer space!” FINALLY ROCKET BELIEVES HIM!
Tho issue acted as a great recap issue and reminding us of the hopeful writer roots that Raquel introduced herself as in the first issue. And then we get to start diving into the history of Icon, and it starts with a tale of a fateful trip…lol.
But in all seriousness, it’s so crazy that icon is just an alien from a developed world that got to the point of star cruise lines, and he is so powerful compared to everyone else on earth. He doesn’t even have vast scientific knowledge to adapt his technology or even get him off world but he has still managed to create a device for Rocket to fight with.
Also on that cruise line, it’s interesting how he described someone looking a lot like DMZ to be a sort of cop, I’m so curious to see where that storyline takes is now.
But then hearing about his life before it’s no wonder he wants to go home. From his life before he has a role similar to a lawyer, as a mediator to decide the best outcome for society between rare disputes. But on Earth, as a lawyer for years, he has gotten multiple complicated disputes every day. It’s overtime overdrive from his perspective.
But even more curious, once Raquel asked about the belt she has, icon said that one of his friends boosted it and did some work on it, but still has the other one. What is this a reference to!?
But the final pages of this book, really tie everything together so nicely with the Cliff notes version of Icon’s long life. DC is missing out so hard with not adapting this character bigger. This is basically their Wolverine, but as someone who has lived and fought through the African American experience. And then you have rocket as a perfect counter for the modern day African American life.
Final thoughts: what an amazing way for milestone to start, I’m so excited to dive into other comics like hardware and static if they are all like this. Truthful and riveting.
January 14, 2022
(For me three stars is "good, don't regret reading"; one is "really bad" and five "perfect".)
It's difficult to write about a minority experience. Either you underline the experiences that differ from majority and thus appear to be exaggerated, or try for balance, in which case the reason of existence easily gets easily lost on the shared mundane.
If you pick the first route, the exaggeration tends to turn almost into a parody if instead of exploring people as a category (as Will Eisner did) you take few archetypes and fit all the experiences into them, usually to limit the amount of characters in an ongoing story (as how superheroes are generally written).
McDuffie et al wanted to write superhero stories that spoke for the black American minority experience. As I'm neither black, American, nor minority, I'm most certainly not of the target audience. I can recognise the problems descripted in the book from news and from my studies, but I lack the the internal recognition of "stories written about my life" that McDuffie was almost certainly writing for.
And thus we get the two main characters of old, rich, highly educated black man dining with US senators (Icon( vs. black teenager girl from the projects lacking opportunities (Rocket).
In short, (SPOILERS) the protagonists meet when the future-Rocket is robbing the future-Icon's mansion from societal pressure; decide to be superheroes only to immediately be beaten up by the police for the crime of being black in the wrong place; finding out about mainly-black superpowered gang who hate the organised society as a tool of white repression; find out that Rocket is pregnant (only after two experiences); discuss the pros and cons of abortion (in an issue where McDuffie shares the by-line with Erica Helene, underlining that this isn't a topic where a man as a writer can ever speak from authority), and is in danger of thus dropping out of school and condemning herself into one more generation of single-parent life in the projects, without hope of upward mobility through education.
All within few days.
Bright's illustrations with inker Gustovich, and painted colours (a choice at the time often only seen in "more adult" superhero comics) by changing cavalcade of artists is your normal 1990s archetypes. For example, capes change size, shape, and weight as dictated by laws of cool: on these parts the comic hasn't aged well, and tends to reflect poorly on comics that "did it better" (and arguably nobody did it well without intentionally pushing toward parody). The colours are a hit-and-miss and the pencils themselves are - as said - of the regular aesthetic of the time.
All in all, I can see why the comic might have been seen as a revolutionary at a time when black superheroes were seldom seen as "as good as" white heroes, with locations often still setting the african-american characters as "the Other" (Blade, Spawn) or as indirect reflections of racism with origins outside the polite society (Black Falcon as a former pimp; Luke Cage as a framed ex-criminal motivated by money even in heroism; Cloak as a drug-user; etc. (Black Lighting being a headmaster who only *pretended" to be uneducated was a welcome, if unfortunate change; War Machine being a Vietnam volunteer-turned-soldier of fortune sounds from a European standpoint "fascist", but probably looked better from the American standpoint of the time.)
Having characters that reflect normal working class teen-agers and reflecting this against "normal" upper middle class is, as such, surprisingly revolutionary and worth mentioning. Alas, revolutionary doesn't in itself create a story that both raises above mediocrity, and stands the test of time.
As such, I can only recommend this story from the comic-historical perspective or if you're interested of the origins of characters that are apparently being relaunched to the shared DC Comics Universe.
It's difficult to write about a minority experience. Either you underline the experiences that differ from majority and thus appear to be exaggerated, or try for balance, in which case the reason of existence easily gets easily lost on the shared mundane.
If you pick the first route, the exaggeration tends to turn almost into a parody if instead of exploring people as a category (as Will Eisner did) you take few archetypes and fit all the experiences into them, usually to limit the amount of characters in an ongoing story (as how superheroes are generally written).
McDuffie et al wanted to write superhero stories that spoke for the black American minority experience. As I'm neither black, American, nor minority, I'm most certainly not of the target audience. I can recognise the problems descripted in the book from news and from my studies, but I lack the the internal recognition of "stories written about my life" that McDuffie was almost certainly writing for.
And thus we get the two main characters of old, rich, highly educated black man dining with US senators (Icon( vs. black teenager girl from the projects lacking opportunities (Rocket).
In short, (SPOILERS) the protagonists meet when the future-Rocket is robbing the future-Icon's mansion from societal pressure; decide to be superheroes only to immediately be beaten up by the police for the crime of being black in the wrong place; finding out about mainly-black superpowered gang who hate the organised society as a tool of white repression; find out that Rocket is pregnant (only after two experiences); discuss the pros and cons of abortion (in an issue where McDuffie shares the by-line with Erica Helene, underlining that this isn't a topic where a man as a writer can ever speak from authority), and is in danger of thus dropping out of school and condemning herself into one more generation of single-parent life in the projects, without hope of upward mobility through education.
All within few days.
Bright's illustrations with inker Gustovich, and painted colours (a choice at the time often only seen in "more adult" superhero comics) by changing cavalcade of artists is your normal 1990s archetypes. For example, capes change size, shape, and weight as dictated by laws of cool: on these parts the comic hasn't aged well, and tends to reflect poorly on comics that "did it better" (and arguably nobody did it well without intentionally pushing toward parody). The colours are a hit-and-miss and the pencils themselves are - as said - of the regular aesthetic of the time.
All in all, I can see why the comic might have been seen as a revolutionary at a time when black superheroes were seldom seen as "as good as" white heroes, with locations often still setting the african-american characters as "the Other" (Blade, Spawn) or as indirect reflections of racism with origins outside the polite society (Black Falcon as a former pimp; Luke Cage as a framed ex-criminal motivated by money even in heroism; Cloak as a drug-user; etc. (Black Lighting being a headmaster who only *pretended" to be uneducated was a welcome, if unfortunate change; War Machine being a Vietnam volunteer-turned-soldier of fortune sounds from a European standpoint "fascist", but probably looked better from the American standpoint of the time.)
Having characters that reflect normal working class teen-agers and reflecting this against "normal" upper middle class is, as such, surprisingly revolutionary and worth mentioning. Alas, revolutionary doesn't in itself create a story that both raises above mediocrity, and stands the test of time.
As such, I can only recommend this story from the comic-historical perspective or if you're interested of the origins of characters that are apparently being relaunched to the shared DC Comics Universe.
May 27, 2020
(Note: this is a review of the Milestone Comics series Icon, which ran for 42 issues. The only collections of those issues are Icon, Vol. 1: A Hero's Welcome and Icon, Vol. 2: The Mothership Connection, which do not contain all the issues published.)
Okay, there are a ton of problems with this series... The Icon issues ended in the middle of a storyline and had tons of crossover issues (where you needed to read other comics if you really wanted to follow what's going on) and fill-in issues (little one-offs that did not advance the main story by Dwayne McDuffie and M. D. Bright). The origin story of Icon is told again and again and again, and -- true to the 90's -- some of the "relevance" in the stories is overblown.
So here's why I think it's great.
You'd think the focus of the comic would be Icon, the titular hero who's something of a Superman analogue. (He's an extraterrestrial who is stranded in the southern United States in 1839 in the form of an African slave and lives up to the present day with his powers mostly hidden.) But McDuffie wants to tell the story not of Icon but of his sidekick Rocket (Raquel Ervin), a 15 year old girl who sneaks into the mansion of Augustus Freeman (Icon's alter-ego), discovers his superpowers, sees the possibilities of her and his life, convinces him to be a superhero, and aids him using some alien tech.
And it's about Raquel's pregnancy and what she decides to do about the baby, and her circle of friends and what they do for fun, and her sense of responsibility to her family and to the city of Dakota and to the often broken down environment around her. It's about her response to Augustus Freeman (a highly conservative lawyer and a fan of Booker T. Washington) when she feels he has not done enough. (Not surprisingly, she quotes W. E. B. Dubois to him.) It's about her fighting when fighting works well and about her thinking and plotting when those are better options.
What McDuffie and Bright create in these 42 issues is the depiction of a superhero who wants to do what she does for all the right reasons, but is also a flawed and impulsive teenager. And if you can get through all the problems with the series, you come away with a powerful portrayal of a powerful woman.
Okay, there are a ton of problems with this series... The Icon issues ended in the middle of a storyline and had tons of crossover issues (where you needed to read other comics if you really wanted to follow what's going on) and fill-in issues (little one-offs that did not advance the main story by Dwayne McDuffie and M. D. Bright). The origin story of Icon is told again and again and again, and -- true to the 90's -- some of the "relevance" in the stories is overblown.
So here's why I think it's great.
You'd think the focus of the comic would be Icon, the titular hero who's something of a Superman analogue. (He's an extraterrestrial who is stranded in the southern United States in 1839 in the form of an African slave and lives up to the present day with his powers mostly hidden.) But McDuffie wants to tell the story not of Icon but of his sidekick Rocket (Raquel Ervin), a 15 year old girl who sneaks into the mansion of Augustus Freeman (Icon's alter-ego), discovers his superpowers, sees the possibilities of her and his life, convinces him to be a superhero, and aids him using some alien tech.
And it's about Raquel's pregnancy and what she decides to do about the baby, and her circle of friends and what they do for fun, and her sense of responsibility to her family and to the city of Dakota and to the often broken down environment around her. It's about her response to Augustus Freeman (a highly conservative lawyer and a fan of Booker T. Washington) when she feels he has not done enough. (Not surprisingly, she quotes W. E. B. Dubois to him.) It's about her fighting when fighting works well and about her thinking and plotting when those are better options.
What McDuffie and Bright create in these 42 issues is the depiction of a superhero who wants to do what she does for all the right reasons, but is also a flawed and impulsive teenager. And if you can get through all the problems with the series, you come away with a powerful portrayal of a powerful woman.
February 11, 2023
I recently watched a video about the late Dwayne McDuffie. It mentioned "A Hero's Welcome" and talked about McDuffie's amazing life and work. That inspired me to check out McDuffie's comics, including "A Hero's Welcome." I'm glad I did.
"A Hero's Welcome (Icon #1)" is an awesome story with great origins for both of the main characters, Icon/Augustus Freeman and Rocket/Raquel Ervin. I love Icon's powers - especially super speed, strength, and endurance. He's a compelling and awesome character who has fought for justice for 150 years. Now, as an attorney and superhero, he fights for justice in various ways. And, I like how some of the battles were resolved without the need for a huge fight to the end, but rather with dialogue (something we do not see often in superhero shows/comics/films).
Rocket/Raquel is awesome too. She's a teenage superhero and a writer. I like how she thinks quickly on her feet and is determined and courageous. Her powers of being able to absorb and use enemies' energies against them are so fun to see. Like Icon/Augustus, she has a great character arc too. She faces many challenges along the way, but she grows and is determined throughout.
I like how McDuffie has written from both Icon and Rocket's POVs. He shows their emotions, thoughts/internal dialogue, and perspectives well. I also like how he writes their conflict as well as how they work together. Their relationship is well written as are their interactions.
The plot is great too. I am definitely interested in learning more about the events behind the story. In this book, Icon begins his investigation of the Big Bang Explosion (not the one that started the universe, but an atrocity that killed many and gave powers to some). I'm intrigued by what he'll find out, particularly in the next volume.
The pacing is a bit too fast at times and there is a lot of exposition at times. Nonetheless, the plot is intriguing and I like the characterization overall too. The action is well done too.
Altogether, I enjoyed "A Hero's Welcome" and I look forward to reading more of McDuffie's works.
"A Hero's Welcome (Icon #1)" is an awesome story with great origins for both of the main characters, Icon/Augustus Freeman and Rocket/Raquel Ervin. I love Icon's powers - especially super speed, strength, and endurance. He's a compelling and awesome character who has fought for justice for 150 years. Now, as an attorney and superhero, he fights for justice in various ways. And, I like how some of the battles were resolved without the need for a huge fight to the end, but rather with dialogue (something we do not see often in superhero shows/comics/films).
Rocket/Raquel is awesome too. She's a teenage superhero and a writer. I like how she thinks quickly on her feet and is determined and courageous. Her powers of being able to absorb and use enemies' energies against them are so fun to see. Like Icon/Augustus, she has a great character arc too. She faces many challenges along the way, but she grows and is determined throughout.
I like how McDuffie has written from both Icon and Rocket's POVs. He shows their emotions, thoughts/internal dialogue, and perspectives well. I also like how he writes their conflict as well as how they work together. Their relationship is well written as are their interactions.
The plot is great too. I am definitely interested in learning more about the events behind the story. In this book, Icon begins his investigation of the Big Bang Explosion (not the one that started the universe, but an atrocity that killed many and gave powers to some). I'm intrigued by what he'll find out, particularly in the next volume.
The pacing is a bit too fast at times and there is a lot of exposition at times. Nonetheless, the plot is intriguing and I like the characterization overall too. The action is well done too.
Altogether, I enjoyed "A Hero's Welcome" and I look forward to reading more of McDuffie's works.
February 25, 2020
This comic answers questions I didn't know I was even asking, namely, what if Superman was found by slaves? And, how does a black man become a conservative republican? And, what happens if a sidekick is pregnant, does she have an abortion?
I remember seeing some of these characters in the comic shop growing up but I never picked one up. I didn't realize the importance of Milestone Comics until I heard it on magnificent podcast
I remember seeing some of these characters in the comic shop growing up but I never picked one up. I didn't realize the importance of Milestone Comics until I heard it on magnificent podcast
December 20, 2022
A Classic Egalitarian Experience
Probably the project Dwayne McDuffie put more into than even Static. It has all of the best character defining moments in an intro while setting up a dynamic duo that complement one another. And Rocket, she's already got much going for her: a dream, purpose, and a baby on the way.
Best of all, this feels like a real egalitarian take on perspectives not many think of. Just how a doctor gives a nuanced take on what it means to be pro-choice. Not just when it comes to abortions but the melase that comes with it, especially when Icon gives his own experience with such an event. Dwayne McDuffie, you are sorely missed.
Probably the project Dwayne McDuffie put more into than even Static. It has all of the best character defining moments in an intro while setting up a dynamic duo that complement one another. And Rocket, she's already got much going for her: a dream, purpose, and a baby on the way.
Best of all, this feels like a real egalitarian take on perspectives not many think of. Just how a doctor gives a nuanced take on what it means to be pro-choice. Not just when it comes to abortions but the melase that comes with it, especially when Icon gives his own experience with such an event. Dwayne McDuffie, you are sorely missed.
September 13, 2020
Really glad DC made this and the second volume free during FanDome so I finally had the chance to read it. McDuffie and Bright created a fantastic and interesting set of characters with a unique voice and style to the superhero genre. Bright’s art is great and utilizes some interesting visual tricks to illustrate some of the powers on display. The story is very human, with complex characters and situations, but always maintaining a sense of optimism.
April 17, 2021
Heroes and history
The creators took standard superhero stuff like aliens (think Superman) and added social awareness. Teenage pregnancy, abortion, gangs, but from human rather than hegemonic perspectives. The diversity of perspectives among Black people, who are of course anything but homogenous. And of course corrupt politicians -- it's still a comic book. Good stories, great art. So glad I read the Rebecca Wanzo article that first made me aware of this series.
The creators took standard superhero stuff like aliens (think Superman) and added social awareness. Teenage pregnancy, abortion, gangs, but from human rather than hegemonic perspectives. The diversity of perspectives among Black people, who are of course anything but homogenous. And of course corrupt politicians -- it's still a comic book. Good stories, great art. So glad I read the Rebecca Wanzo article that first made me aware of this series.
July 10, 2022
Iconic Black Suerhero
Great origin story to a iconic (no pun intended) superhero. Felt just like a good episode of television; not too much, not too little, just the right amount of plot and conflict to push the story forward and just enough of a cliffhanger to want you coming back for more.
Great origin story to a iconic (no pun intended) superhero. Felt just like a good episode of television; not too much, not too little, just the right amount of plot and conflict to push the story forward and just enough of a cliffhanger to want you coming back for more.
March 15, 2021
Iconic!
A classic retelling of a classic hero myth. Thie story has so much more depth and nuance than I'd hoped for. Milestone was so far ahead of their time regarding the seamless inclusion of real-world issues into their stories.
A classic retelling of a classic hero myth. Thie story has so much more depth and nuance than I'd hoped for. Milestone was so far ahead of their time regarding the seamless inclusion of real-world issues into their stories.
April 18, 2021
The basic premise is cool. What if is Superman-type landed in the south at the height of slavery. The problem is that that is not really explored in these first 8 issues. The story follows Icon and his teenage sidekick Rocket, but it really feels like Rocket's story. While she is an interesting character with plenty of story to mine, I felt a little cheated of Icon's development. Hopefully this is explored further down the road.
For more on my weekly reading try Comic Book Coffee Break:
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For more on my weekly reading try Comic Book Coffee Break:
https://smallvillechronicle.blogspot....
October 12, 2022
Dwayne McDuffie was king of the beloved Justice League cartoon show and he’s king of this excellent superhero comic as well. I just wish the vast majority of abortion plot lines in any medium ended in the character actually getting an abortion, rather than the reverse. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
June 28, 2024
Slept on this one back during the initial Milestone launch - Static and Xombi were the two that kept my attention. Interestingly decompressed for an era before that was a thing. RIP Dwayne McDuffie and MD Bright, both gone too soon.
March 12, 2018
Icon is a Republican. I didn't understand why--other than I guess he's rich.
Clarence Thomas liked it.
The pictures were cool and fun.
Clarence Thomas liked it.
The pictures were cool and fun.
February 22, 2021
Awesome comic that holds up and needs to find its place back on comic and book store shelves.
July 31, 2021
A bit of a product of its time when it comes to its takes on respectability politics and other racial topics but an interesting origin for a pivotal hero.
October 29, 2013
I really enjoyed reading this, but I have some problems with the portrayal of Rocket. Yes, she's a PoC portrayed by other PoCs, but she's also a woman being portrayed by a group of men, which makes her character seem a little shallow. Also, there was a fair amount of really corny dialogue that disrupted the flow of the story.
January 15, 2021
Like most of the original launch lineup for Milestone, Icon is among the strongest new comic book launches of the past few decades. This first eight-issue run is unique--even among its exceptionally strong cohort at Milestone--for its engagement with contemporary politics and the personal impact of that political reality.
October 16, 2013
The flagship book of the Milestone line, Icon takes many elements from Superman (alien hero in cape) and expands on it. I enjoyed these first few issues of the book, and kind of wish it hadn't come out when I was taking a sabbatical from comics. I hope DC reprints the rest of the series.
June 9, 2010
Interesting commentary on race and gender, but for some reason, I just didn't connect to the characters or the story as much as I thought I would.
Read
August 11, 2011A smartly written superhero comic that seems ahead of it's time (1993). It really does deserve to be read by a wider audience.Reminds me of Kurt Busiek's Astro City .
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