Comic Break: The Stand Captain Trips #1 (Marvel)

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The Stand: Captain Trips
Issue: #1
Writer: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa
Artist: Mike Perkins
32 pp. Marvel. $3.99

Reviewed by Paul Stotts

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“Because otherwise…it might be something catching.” — The Stand: Captain Trips #1

One thing can be said for Marvel, when they choose to do a comic adaptation of a novel they undoubtedly pick great source material. Stephen King’s “The Stand” is the latest to receive a Marvel makeover, and what a makeover it is. King’s modern horror classic has been beautifully arranged and visualized in the inaugural issue of The Stand: Captain Trips. Everything is top-notch here. From the gorgeous Lee Bermejo cover to the fantastic coloring by Laura Martin to the wonderful introduction of the various characters, the first issue excels.

One night Charlie Campion wakes his wife Sally up telling her they have to leave immediately. It seems that a mysterious accident has happened at the base, killing everyone, with only Charlie lucky enough to still be alive. With his wife and baby LaVon alongside him, Charlie leaves their home behind, heading east, a cough tickling his throat.

In Arnette Texas, Bill Hapscomb, Tommy Wannamaker, Vic Palfrey, Norm Bruett, and Stu Redman are sitting around, chatting and drinking beer at Bill’s Texaco Station off Route 93. Out of nowhere, a car plunges into the gas station, shearing off the pumps. The men immediately go out to help, eventually pulling the driver out of the wreck. On the passenger side of the car, Stu is stunned to discover the rotting bodies of a young woman and a baby. Inside the Texaco station, the men wait for an ambulance to arrive as Charlie Campion lies on the floor, dying. They are at a lost to figure out what he’s got, they just pray it’s not contagious.

Writer Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa does a terrific job interweaving the various plotlines together (Along with the storyline mentioned above, there’s also separate interludes introducing Frannie Goldsmith and Larry Underwood). The scenes featuring Underwood, in particular, are beautifully executed by Aguirre-Sacasa and artist Mike Perkins.

The interiors really stand out here. Perkins and colorist Laura Martin have created some stunning imagery. Once again, the artwork during the Underwood storyline shines. Martin shrewdly uses a different color palette during the flashbacks in Underwood’s scene and the effect is striking and quite effective.

After a beautifully realized first issue, The Stand: Captain Trips has a promising future to look forward to. Unfortunately the same can’t be said about the characters.

Final Grade: 88 out of 100