Six from Sirius

This book compiles the mini-series that Epic Comics distributed in the late 1980s. It was an exciting time, and Epic led the way, not just with its self-titled flagship magazine. The "six" represent a super-secret trouble shooting team, the kind with lots of trouble and lots of shooting. This time, their mission seems straightforward enough: free the lovely ambassador from the impenetrable prison in time to save the peace negotiations. The mission starts going off the rails when the ambassador doesn't want to be saved. Every step after that one reverses all that went before, as each level of subterfuge peels back to reveal another. You'll find a bit more character complexity here than in traditional superhero stories, but don't come looking for Jane Austen. Crisp artwork carries the story along well - not an innovative look, but well executed and well printed in my 1988 edition. Back then, comics for grownups were still finding themselves, and this contributed nicely to that growing body of work. That was then, though. Standards have risen since then, in many directions. "Six" did well for its time and still holds rewards for today's reader - but the times moved on. -- wiredweird