James Tynion IV : Escape from Scott Snyder
I must admit i was pretty skeptical when DC announced an all new series based on Talons, the unstoppable assassins we discovered in Scott Snyder's Court of Owls. I mean, the Bat universe already had enough series (11 were implicated in the "Night of the Owls" crossover), did we really need a new one, based on something (the Court, the Talons) we've been fattened with for almost a year? Besides, it was James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder's former student, that was done the task to write this series (despite his name on the cover, Snyder only contributes to the plot). He only wrote a few Batman back-ups before Talon, could he really handle it?
The #0 issue was a quite good surprise and focused on Calvin Rose's (our hero) origins, how he was recruited by the Court, how they trained him, and how (and why) he finally escaped from them. As usual with this duo, we've been offered great story-telling (and especially the use of flash-backs to explain Calvin's present) and dialogues. This origin story is followed by this #1 issue, treating about Calvin's return to Gotham City. And if the #0 issue was good and interesting to read, the #1 is great as he shows us why Calvin Rose is decided to fight the Court, but also introduces various themes the writer might develop in the next months (Sebastian Clark, friend or foe? What happened to Casey Washington after Calvin saved her? Inter alia).
Some might say this series' construction is too much scholar (first we see the character's origins, then his decision to avenge himself, and then we'll probably see his revenge). So okay, this construction might lack of ambition, but this series certainly doesn't lack of talent. James Tynion IV definitely knows how to intrigue us by creating secrets in the universe he's building, and the technical aspect of his storytelling is faultless. And as so is Guillem March's art (the last page, when Calvin Rose wears his all new Talon costume !!!), there's no reason not to read this series if you loved Court of Owls and if this whole Talon/Owls thematic didn't disgust you so far. James Tynion IV is definitely becoming a really great writer as, just like Calvin Rose, he's progressively escaping his mentor's tutelage.
