LIMITS (ONE-SHOT), from Hardline Comics on Kickstarter, explores what happens when a good man finds himself in possession of the power to make him a superhero and how too much power can become an addiction.
The Details
- Written by: Rich Carrington
- Art by: Lee Gaston
- Colors by: Lee Gaston
- Letters by: Lee Gaston
- Cover art by: Lee Gaston
- Cover price: $4.50
- Release date: August 2022 (estimated)
Is It Good?
LIMITS (ONE-SHOT) takes a different look at the superhero genre by couching the hero’s powers as a form of addiction that sends him into a downward spiral of depression when his supply starts slowly running out. Rich Carrington’s take on the effects of power gives readers plenty of thought-provoking ideas to noodle over in a well-paced, thoughtful, well-drawn indie one-shot.
The strength of Carrington’s script lies in the natural, grounded, relatable nature of Sam Carter, aka Dyna-Man, reaches the heights of heroism and then succumbs to the lows of scarcity mindset and depression. Sam is an ordinary Joe given an extraordinary gift, but when Sam places too much of his self-worth and importance on that gift, he loses his sense of worth when that gift starts to dwindle away. In some ways, this could be viewed as Carrington’s take on the nature of men who find value in who they are by what they do.
The minor down point in this issue is the ending. Sam is forced to make a tough choice, which he sees through, but how Sam handles the aftermath of that choice doesn’t quite sit right. You can believe Sam is struggling to act when his power is almost gone, and you can understand how Sam has dreaded the loss of his power, but Carrington didn’t quite sell how Sam would take the steps he takes on the past page. When Sam delivers an interview to a reporter, you get the impression Sam turned a corner, so his last act as a superhero doesn’t match the words in his interview, which were meant to be a bearing of his soul.
The art in this issue is excellent. Gaston’s lines, colors, lettering, and panel work are outstanding. The art is clean, bright, and vivid, and the emotional moments land perfectly. You could argue the art is almost a little too cheery considering the subject matter, but it’s well-done art, nonetheless.
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What’s It About?
[SPOILERS AHEAD – Click here if you just want the score without spoilers]
We begin with a brief origin montage of Sam Carter, aka Dyna-Man, as he agrees to help a genius test a prototype set of Ion Bands that grant the wearer miraculous powers. During the testing phase, the professor is attacked by a terrorist cult eager to claim the Ion Bands for themselves. In the melee, the professor is killed, and the plans are destroyed, leaving Sam the sole possessor of the only set.
Soon, Sam finds himself naturally drawn into the role of a superhero. He fights crimes and disasters on increasingly larger scales until his reputation spreads worldwide. Sam finds himself increasingly comfortable with the superhero life when, one day, his bands notify him that the power source is running out. Without the technical know-how or the plans, Sam grows increasingly fearful of losing his powers, so he begins to ration their usage to make them last as long as possible.
Eventually, Sam begins to experience depression as he’s forced to ignore smaller crimes. His girlfriend recognizes the changes in him as the weight of a ticking clock grows louder in Sam’s subconscious. We conclude the issue with a do-or-die choice, a confession, and a goodbye.
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Final Thoughts
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LIMITS (ONE-SHOT) is an interesting character study on the rise and fall of a superhero whose slow loss of power begins a downward spiral akin to addiction withdrawal. The story is thought-provoking and well-paced, and the vibrant art captures your attention on every page.
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