Review: "Mother Panic" #1

The first time a new universe or protagonist gets introduced in a comic is always something special, for readers and writers/artists alike. What makes them special? How can they be differentiated from existing heroes/villains? 

DC's Young Animal's Mother Panic, written by Jody Houser and illustrated by Tommy Lee Edwards, has a lot of safety nets to fall back on to when doing all the above. Set in Gotham City, the comic has its environment and atmosphere already cut out for it. And what an environment that is. Edwards does an impressive job of capturing the claustrophobia and constant threat that permeates every bit of Gotham's architecture.

The sense of safety and familiarity also pervades the comic's protagonist and hero, Violet Paige. While it is certainly refreshing to see a rich female socialite for a change, she is still a Gotham socialite. While a fresh take on the concept could have still been interesting, Houser, unfortunately, relies too much on well-known stereotypes (including her family "situation) in her characterization of Violet.

A definite advantage for Mother Panic, though, is how clearly and entertainingly it establishes a storyline and villain, letting readers know what this will be about from the outset. It surely is the most straightforward and accessible of the "Young Animal" titles so far, and by adding a few tweaks for its protagonist could be even more compelling in the issues to come.

8/10