This issue has wannabe super heroes gathering at Superhero Idol locations. They explain their life story, motivations, and to demonstrate their powers for a chance to be on the big show. The action stays firmly with Joule, a young woman in her early 20s, and the protagonist of the series. After a long interview process, about 20 minutes, she is asked to demonstrate some of her powers. She does this by knocking out the British judge, which allows “Paula” and “Randy” to vote her into the contest. She reveals to the readers that she is not being completely honest with everyone there.
The biggest positive is the comic feels like various aspects of American Idol. This issue is the pre-audition stuff where the contestants have to prove they belong there. Instead of focusing on a lot of characters that do not belong there, this issue is just about Joule and her origin story. While she is telling the judges, she is also filling in the readers at the same time, making the judges the audience surrogate This is a brilliant move because it combines the two elements that need to be there and got both of them done.
The negative is that it does not go far enough with the premise. This is an American Idol style show and the audience tunes in to see the British Bastard destroy another person’s hopes and dreams. It gets good ratings seeing the judges being mean to the people. What would the Superhero equivalent of that conversation look like? Maybe one or two other contestants while Joule is waiting for her turn is enough for that feel.
Final Thoughts: Positive
Despite my nitpicking, Idolized 1 is never boring. The comic does encourage me to read more than the first issue. While it did falter a little bit, it does capture the feel of an American Idol style show where it counts. It is a must read for those that like American Idol and comic books.
About Joseph Furguson
This child of the 80s does not look upon it as some gold age where everything is better. He is well aware that the filter of time causes the best stuff to rise to the top. Every era has terrible and awesome things, but most are downright mediocre. He loves to highlight the forgotten good and the deserving bad items of all generations.
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