Original Sin #1

By Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato

Jason Aaron is a great writer but this is definitely not an example of his best work. The more you read it, the more it feels like there was editorial interference. We have no demonstrable evidence of this, so we’re not actually throwing out accusations. Still, there must be at least something going on. Original Sin has an identity problem and it has nothing to do with resembling Identity Crisis.

Right away, the issue is written more like a Marvel OGN and less like a big event. The problem with the OGNs is that they don’t know whether to be in canon or not, so they go for a vague in between state that satisfies nobody. They are obviously trying to attract new readers, but at the same time, things are still too convoluted to appeal to anybody not already in the know. Only those knowledgeable people won’t like this, due to odd character representations that are put in place to try to attract that elusive new reader. With bland heroes and annoying exposition, this is a rough first issue.

Mike Deodato has been responsible for some impressive work over on Hickman’s New Avengers and this issue is (mostly) more of the same. Deodato knows how to draw dramatic and epic superheroes. In New Avengers, Deodato was great at conveying character emotion, so it’s weird that his art is suddenly lacking in that department. Unfortunately, this causes an already hollow plot to be devoid of all emotional punch.

The basic premise of Original Sin has the potential to be great. In order it to take that next step, Aaron/Marvel needs to pick an angle and just roll with it. Sometimes, just having a powerful story is enough to please both old and new fans, no matter how steeped in Marvel history it is. They should try to do that.