REVIEW: 'Midlife (Or How to Hero at Fifty)' #1 by Brian Buccellato, Stefano Simeone, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

 

MIDLIFE #1 (OR HOW TO HERO AT FIFTY)

Writer: Brian Buccellato

Artist: Stefano Simeone

Letters: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

Publisher: Image Comics

Release Date: October 11, 2023

Cover Price: $3.99

SERIES PREMIERE

RUBEN KWAN is a 50-year-old firefighter who's been afraid of fire his whole life. Instead of running into burning buildings, he pushes papers, living in the shadow of his father-who died a hero on the job. After 25 years in the LAFD, he's firmly in the middle of an unremarkable life...until his new wife gets pregnant and a random act of courage reveals that Ruben is FIREPROOF!

New York Times-bestselling writer BRIAN BUCCELLATO (NO/ONE, The Flash, Chicken Devil) teams up with star artist STEFANO SIMEONE (THE LAST DAYS OF BLACK HAMMER, RADIANT BLACK) to tell the totally relatable (sometimes cringey) story of a middle-aged dad who's about to find out that his new powers have major strings attached. 

Score:

★★★★1/2 (4.5/5)

Writer Brian Buccellato took inspiration from real life and created a comic that feels entirely relatable to someone like me, a middle-aged dad at 50 years old reflecting on life's regrets and seeking a new start. Ruben Kwan is 'Midlife's focus and he just hit 50, a fire department official who lives in the shadow of his heroic firefighter dad who died in service. Issue one is an engrossing character study that sets up the twist at the end. Ruben's midlife crisis involves burnout from his long-tenured career, a troublesome ex-wife, and a baby on the way with his new wife. I'm going to be terribly biased on this review because Buccellato captures the perspective of a Gen-Xer trying to balance his past, present, and future at a pivotal age with such insight and pathos that I'm completely empathetic and invested. 'Midlife' works as a drama and soon will mix in superpowers and I can't help but think it'll be aspirational and fun. Stefano Simeone's art designs are lively and vibrant. It's an idiosyncratic style that's very emotive and expressive. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou's brilliant lettering contributes to the tone and expressiveness of the action and dialogue. 

'Midlife' is a delightful new superhero comic grounded in generational angst that will resonate with a lot of people. Gen-X has finally entered the chat.