From Aspen Comics, Vince Hernandez, Oliver Nome, John Starr, Josh Reed.

This site is known for focusing on wrestling and comics.  A lot.  If you comic book fans will indulge me for a minute in this point I would like to make about Kiani.  An opponent has to be built up, or else their defeat means nothing.  If a character is seen as weak, and is defeated, then who did the hero beat?  You beat no one.  However, if accolades are given and strength is shown then any defeat has value.

Thus the dramatic third act of this issue.  Warriors and soldiers and battle submarines (for lack of a better term) and of course this beast of a man thing (but not Man-Thing) known as Tormo.  Every one of these things looks capable of bringing an immense amount of pain.  When Kiani shows up though she isn’t intimidated by any of this.  In fact, within this issue Kiani has jumped to the front of my strong female characters list.

It is a tribute to Aspen Comics that they have the best, strongest female characters in all of comics.  Fathom, Executive Assistants, Lady Mechanika and all.  Kiani though is this incredible and literal force of nature.  While reading the #0 issue I liked Kiani but didn’t connect with the character.  Now, however this is my one to watch.

Many times in comic book history the heroes living in the oceans commit villainous acts.  Namor and Aquaman, I’m looking at you.  But it didn’t feel like the world was in danger.  Kiani, however, is bringing a war.  This is why the idea of “creator owned characters” is taking off.  I believe that Kiani will destroy something huge within future issues.  A city, a government, a whole country.  After witnessing the power and the intensity driven by her mission this book has a huge “anything can happen” factor.

Its not only the writing from Vince Hernandez that pulls this off.  Oliver Nome knows how to reveal just enough.  It was pages and pages of things happening before the catalyst was revealed and I was drawn into every panel.  Kiani is sexy and powerful at the same time.  She’s not drawn to be sexualized, she’s drawn as an oceanic warrior in battle gear that is necessary for such a race.  Everything makes sense.  Its the so simple its actually very complicated style.  Think of yourself as the artist.  How would you draw water that is water but isn’t to represent Kiani’s powers.  I wouldn’t even know where to begin.  And yet Nome not only pulls this off, but he does it so well that its never once confusing.

Women, water and world building.  Kiani is the summer blockbuster you crave – because it doesn’t talk down to you and it doesn’t quit.