Just when it seemed the brand was dead and gone, America's Best Comics springs from the grave, bringing with it one of the line's best titles: Top 10. (Though to be fair, the line didn't have any poor titles - they were all very good.)For those who missed it the first time around, Top 10 is what you get when you throw the Hill Street Blues TV show into a blender, toss in a healthy mix of super-powers, a dash of soap opera, mix it all up and place it in a dark but darned interesting alternate universe. To translate: it's a superhero cop show.
Virtually every character in the comic has some kind of super-power. Some are useful, and some are marginal, and the combination of characters and crime drama make for a really interesting foundation.
Under Alan Moore, this was a terrific book (I know, you're shocked), so the question is, how does new writer Zander Cannon (with Kevin Cannon) manage? The answer: quite well, thank you. He brings in some new characters that are very promising, and kicks off "Season Two" with a powerful mystery, as a dozen bodies materialize on the steps of the police station. Add in several other storylines, including a new cop on the beat, a drug investigation that leads to a shocking suspect, and a new boss, and you have a good mix percolating.
Thankfully, the art continues in the more than capable hands of Gene Ha, who co-created the book with Moore. Ha's work is fantastic, very detailed and filled with Easter eggs - keep an eye on those wide shots, you never know who's going to put in a cameo. (Is that Granny Goodness and Black Goliath on page 4?) The coloring seems a bit muddy, but that goes along with the feel of the book.
It's still early, but Top 10 is off to a great start, and well on its way to joining the hit parade.
(Sorry.)
Grade: B+
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