by Joe Schickman, Reporter

Official Synopsis:
The Creed – The Next Round comic book series begins ten years after the events of Creed III. Adonis Creed is out of the ring but not out of the game as he trains – along with his manager-wife Bianca – the next champion—his daughter Amara, now an amateur boxer. But with Adonis and Bianca reluctant to pit their daughter against more dangerous opponents, Amara feels like her career is at a standstill, and she’s hungry for more. Amara will have to find another trainer. Someone who’s not afraid of defying Adonis but still knows how to teach her to fight like a Creed. Who’s up for the challenge of training a young boxer to become the next champion fighter?

Creative Team:
Writers: Latoya Morgan and Jai Jamison
Artist: Wilton Santos
Colors: DJ Chavis
Letterer: Andworld Designs
Creative Director: Michael B. Jordan

Creed The Next Round # 1 opens with Amara Creed, Adonis Creed’s up and coming daughter, stepping into the ring. She trains with her parents as a young amateur boxer, but is dissatisfied with the limitations her father places on her, chafing against his insistence that she show greater wisdom and maturity in the ring before fighting more challenging opponents. But Amara’s ego and desire to live up to her family’s legacy cause her to ignore her father’s advice, and, with the help of her school friend, Mel, she seeks out other ways to hone her skills. 

While her parents are preoccupied on growing the already prestigious Creed name, Amara and Mel find an underground fight to challenge her. After applying the skills her father taught her, Amara handily wins her first match, but has little time to celebrate before she is goaded into another. Before Amara can test herself against someone she deems a more worthy opponent, Adonis interrupts to extricate his daughter from the illegal and dangerous fight. At home both parents chide Amara’s poor decision, but Amara’s arrogance and overconfidence preclude her from hearing their concerns. Instead she leans in to the online adulation, and seeks out another way to get what she wants by seeking out a new trainer.

A cornerstone of the Rocky/Creed franchise has always been testing one’s own limitations, and breaking through the barriers put on us, and that we put on ourselves. Creed The Next Round # 1 follows in this tradition with Amara’s relatable desire to prove herself in the shadow of the greats that came before. Writers Latoya Morgan and Jai Jamison explore this complex dynamic from the perspective of a brash teenager, who’s skill is matched only by her impatience. Artist Wilton Santos bridges the movie and comic universes by exhibiting a style that includes the best of both.

Creed The Next Round # 1 adds to the longstanding legacy developed in this franchise, while making it accessible for a wider audience. Infusing this story with elements applicable to many teenagers and parent’s everyday struggles to relate enables the reader to position themselves within the story, easily finding at least one character to sympathize with. Adding to that the knock out action synonymous with the franchise makes Creed The Next Round # 1 a book that any Rocky and Creed fan should find enjoyable. 

Rating:
ComicsOnline gives Creed The Next Round # 1  3/5 K.O.’s