by Kevin Gaussoin, Editor-in-Chief

Hot take: Getting older sucks. 

I know, I know, but it’s true. Look, I have a lot in common with Ruben Kwan. I grew up in Southern California. I love geek pop culture. I got weird family stuff.  I’m starting to have physical problems related to age. I lost my father years ago to perils related to his job and I still have unanswered questions for him. 

I’ve wanted super powers all my life and now Ruben Kwan has them! Ugh, I still want super powers myself, don’t you? I’m ready. You ready?

Official Description:
Armed with a new costume (and ice packs for his achy knees and back), brand-new hero Ruben Kwan starts using his powers for good and gets the attention of a mysterious pair of operatives in the process: the Maroon Suits, who have their own designs for his future. On the home front, Ruben must decide whether to tell his pregnant wife Annie about this new double life that, for the first time, has him feeling like he is living up to his father’s legacy.

Creative Team:
Writer Brian Buccellato
Artist: Stefano Simeone
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Okay, I know I’m starting out three issues in, I learned of it late as well, but this is a series to catch up on. 

Ruben works for the fire department but since his father died on the job as a firefighter, Ruben has spent his career too afraid of fire to actually fight fires (which is kinda parallel to my job stuff as well). Anyway, long story short: Our boy finds himself in a fire one day and doesn’t get burned at all. He soon learns that not only is he impervious to fire, but he can push it away from himself as well. Naturally he immediately adopts a super-hero identity and starts using his powers for good. 

Now, in Midlife (or How to Hero at Fifty!) Issue Three we have the maroon suits, Buccellato’s answer to Hazel and Cha-Cha, Jules and Vincent, Hank and Gomey… You get it. I’ve been really enjoying Buccellato’s seemingly effortlessly natural dialog in this comic, particularly between Ruben and his lifelong friends. I’d like to request more of that, please.

Stefano Simeone makes his Midlife (or How to Hero at Fifty!) art look easy as well. Simeone’s panel choices might seem daring for those of us middle-aged dudes who grew up on 9-up pages of Watchmen, but Simeone keeps the story flowing clearly whether it’s talking heads or action scenes.

Midlife (or How to Hero at Fifty!) Issue Three answers some questions: How long can Ruben keep up the heroing without getting caught? How long can he avoid telling his wife about his powers? And perhaps most importantly: Can he power-stunt some more powers as well? 

Hot to read this issue? I’m already ready for next month. And my own powers. Yep. Ready.

Rating:
ComicsOnline gives Midlife (or How to Hero at Fifty!) Issue Three – 4 out of 5 middle aged super heroes.

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