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Ares #1
Book Released: 11 Jan 2006
Review posted: 17 Jan 2006
Writer: Mike Oeming
Artist: Travel Foreman
Ink: Derek Fridolfs
Colors: Len O'Grady
Publisher: Marvel Comics
5.00 out of 5 Stars
Reviewed by Adam White
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Ares came out of nowhere, a miniseries focusing on a character that has rarely appeared before in the Marvel Universe and also based on a Greek god. The crossover-related or “big name” miniseries environment today makes Ares an even more unlikely book, yet here it is and it’s actually very good. I picked it up solely for the fact that it looked different than the usual fare and because Marvel has been doing very well (creatively) with miniseries lately. Lo and behold it exceeded my expectations and really threw me for a loop because at the same time it was not at all what I expected.
Travel Foreman’s art is outstanding and captures the range of emotions and scenarios set up by Oeming.
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While he has already more than proven himself as an artist (Powers), Mike Oeming has come into his own as a writer at Marvel. Oeming breathed new life into Thor and other god-like characters here and there, making him the go-to guy for those type of stories. However, while I expected Ares to be in the same vein of Thor (given the fact that Ares is a god as well), Oeming has made the series largely the story of a father and son, their relationship, and what it means to be used and eaten up by the ravages of a never-ending war. Ares turns out to be a much deeper and more interesting character than I would have imagined with Oeming at the helm, and Ares’ actions and words range from the horrific (at war with the gods) to the fatherly and wryly humorous (with his son). Oeming makes us believe that the same man that bisects those he sends to eternal torment could indeed be a loving father, and that is a heck of a task in only one issue.
Travel Foreman’s art is outstanding and captures the range of emotions and scenarios set up by Oeming. Whether battling gods or school principals, Ares remains wholly believable and genuine. Ares towers over mere mortals yet never seems ridiculous or out of place, and Foreman deftly crafts Ares’ effectively sincere scenes with his son. Foreman doesn’t currently have a huge number of titles under his belt, but what he lacks in quantity he more than makes up for in quality, far surpassing the work of “hotter” artists oft touted by Marvel of late. Foreman should catapult himself to “hot” status with his superior work on Ares, and I would very much like to see him move on to either more work with Ares or some other high profile assignment worthy of his talent.
Whatever preconceived notions you may have about Marvel, Ares as a character, or any of the creators involved, must be cast aside when reading this series, as it truly defies any ideas you might have and brings a higher level of legitimacy to everyone involved. If Marvel keeps fostering excellent miniseries such as Ares, Generation M, Son of M, and the like, we may have to start a club or something. Definitely go pick up Ares #1, enjoy it, put it on your pull list, and then demand more from Marvel. Solid work all around, people.
[Read the counterpoint review to this one!]
—CCdC— Cover image used without explicit permission in accordance with the "Fair Use" provision of US copyright law.
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