How much is enough? How much do you have to give before you’re handed your flowers and left to enjoy the rest of whatever time you have left doing what you want to do? That’s the question that lies at the heart of Oswalt, Blum and Seely’s intriguing exploration of PTSD and how we individually deal with the impact, and long lasting effects, of trauma. Based on Oswalt and Blum’s Minor Threats, The Alternates is the story of a team of superheroes who ventured into, and spent years inside, something called The Ledge in order to save their world from destruction, and what happened, and is continuing to happen to them after they returned.

While it’s still early days for the book, this being the debut issue and all, so far it’s a double thumbs up dive into mystery, murder and more that’s propelled by a gripping story, incredible characterisation and dialogue and snappy, knockout in the first round art. If Oswalt’s career as a comedian and actor ever stalls, as long as he sticks with Blum (and Seely), he’ll always have a gig as as a go-to four colour author. The Alternates feels like the start of something special, so don’t hang around and wait to join the cool club, get in on the ground floor and add it to your pull list. I’m already hooked… Tim Cundle