Sometimes it’s hard to understand how a person can follow a moral compass in a world filled with chaos and confusion. Often, we feel helpless in the face of what seems to be overwhelming issues beyond anyone’s control or comprehension. So how does a good person stay strong and continue to do the right things when so many others take the easier path? With Alpha Red, James Q. Nguyen brings us a story about how one such person found his way and purpose in life.
Alpha Red, by James Q. Nguyen, is a faith-based superhero yarn with good art and writing. As the artist and writer, James has done a fine job presenting us with his setting and characters. This story is a five-issue arc with many twists and turns as our protagonist, Calvin “Wes” Wesley finds himself pulled into a supernatural world that he is familiar with but never really believed existed. After being recruited by an enigmatic organization called The Kingdom, which seems to have technology that is somehow powered by faith, which they call Essence of Spirit, Wes dons the mantle of Alpha Red and is tasked with unraveling the machinations of the literal devil, Satan, who has been betrayed by his most trusted lieutenant, Ashby! Ashby has trapped Satan in an immortal human body and so Satan now walks the Earth, powerless, but not without influence! What is he up to? Who is he masquerading as and how can he be found? Alpha Red is on the case!
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Issues one and two give us a proper origin story for Alpha Red, in which Wes is a morally upstanding person with a strong character which leads to him being selected by The Kingdom to become their newest and most elite agent. Despite being a good person who desires to help people and see justice served, Wes is a flawed character who has little faith in things he cannot see or touch. Here we see his first steps as a superhuman operative for The Kingdom as he must come to terms with his experiences with inexplicable events that force him to reexamine his beliefs. He makes understandable mistakes and does his best to find his footing but in the end, finds himself in a predicament that he cannot control.
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As the story progresses, we see Wes grow into his role as Alpha Red and become more comfortable with his new powers and responsibilities. As he is acclimated to his newfound physical and mental abilities, he delves into the mystery surrounding the strange events he has encountered and begins to connect the dots to reveal the schemes of Satan and his followers. Even though he is brand new to The Kingdom, he is a natural leader from whom even the seasoned members of the organization begin to take direction. The events of the first two chapters have begun to transform Wes, forcing him to grow as a person, and he begins to see the world in a different light.
As events continue to unfold, Alpha Red investigates a global plot Satan has initiated to destabilize the world nations and ignite a final conflict that will see the devil assume control of the entire world. With his team, new allies, and more than a little divine intervention, Alpha Red faces off with Satan and his minions for a final battle that delivers an entertaining conclusion with excellent art, writing, and exciting action sequences.
Included in this series are various references and homages to beloved characters, comics, and cartoons from my youth. I have to assume that James Nguyen is a creator who grew up watching and reading many of the same things that I have. His love of comics and animation is evident throughout his work. So if you remember the olden and golden days of comics and cartoons from the 80s and 90s, rest assured that you will get a satisfying dose of prescription-strength nostalgia as you make your way through these pages.
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As I have said, this is a faith-based series. There are strong Christian themes embedded in the very core of this setting and the characters. Over the course of the five-issue story arc, Wes is taken on a personal journey of doubt, revelation, and faith in the spirit of Campbell’s Hero’s Journey. However, the quality of the story has not been compromised and these books are not simply ham-fisted vehicles for the creator’s worldview.
I enjoyed these issues and I hope to see more from James and Alpha Red in the future. The physical quality of the books is great and I liked the art and the story. Some improvements could be made but they are trivial within the scope of the series as a whole, and I am sure James will continue to hone his craft in all respects. The world he has created and the characters he has given us have the promise of more tales to be told. Watch my video review of this series below!
I highly recommend these books and also suggest we all keep an eye on Alpha Red Comics because rumor has it that there are new issues on the horizon! You heard it here, first, Fellow True Believers!
Excelsior!
TrueBeliever
What do you think about Alpha Red? Does this comic interest you at all? Leave us a comment!
Thanks for review and putting a spotlight on independent comics! Keep up the great work!
No problem! Keep making comics!