Due out imminently (ask your retailer to save you a copy, or re-order one in, or get it from the website), the very first thing that strikes you about Decoy #1 is the gorgeous Joe Chiodo cover - Chiodo will provide covers for all four issues in this mini-series, and you could easily display them all on your wall.
The next thing you notice is the lettering on the first page - the credits box essentially, this looks like a big-time release, like it runs with the big boys, and it's no surprise to learn Starkings and Comicraft are involved with this issue.
So you flick through the issue, there's a short story at the back, recapping previous events (in the prior mini-series and one-shots, published in 2000-2001), the main story is glossy, well-coloured, and looks incredibly well-presented. This is one smart book.
You can't help but notice this little green alien throughout the pages, though, what's that all about? Well, that chap is called Decoy, and this is his story. Decoy is a small, green, shape-shifting alien (and he's a cute little critter indeed), and he's befriended a rookie cop - who has a real affinity for practical jokes along the lines of "pull my finger"...you know the one, right? Decoy has the grace to look embarrassed...
Officer Bobby Luck is about to celebrate his first year in the ranks of the Dolphin City Police Department - that's if he makes it there. He has this tendency to forget what day is it (bad news if you have a meeting with the chief first thing on Monday morning). He's blessed in having a loyal and efficient partner, in the form of Tessa Moreno; although he hasn't yet confided in her about Decoy's existence.
Luck and Moreno are called to help out a flooded subway, and it's just Luck's, er, luck, that there is more down there than anyone suspects...
It's a good kick off for this miniseries, there's an undercurrent of menace (someone is forcing the police chief's hand over Officer Luck) both above and below ground, and although we're yet to see Decoy himself really kick into action, issue two will almost certainly sort that out. About the only thing wrong with the book is that I'd really expect Luck to have confided in his partner by now - maybe he doesn't realize it, but Tessa Moreno is doing a fantastic job covering his back and staying loyal, helping him out, he really should trust in her regarding Decoy.
The art is cool (maybe some of the characters look a little young, though?), and Mike Garcia's colours are extremely effective - excellent use of lighting, shadows and rain mean that every panel works - no head-shots against bland, blank backgrounds for this book.
Recommended on a whole number of levels, I can't wait for issue two.
