Local Man (comics)

Last updated
Local Man
Publication information
Publisher Image Comics
ScheduleMonthly
Format Ongoing series
Genre Crime Noir, Superhero
Publication dateFebruary 2023
No. of issues10 (and 2 specials)
Creative team
Written byTim Seeley Tony Fleecs
Artist(s)Tony Fleecs Tim Seeley
Colorist(s) Brad Simpson, Felipe Sobreiro, Brian Reber
Collected editions
Heartland ISBN   978-1-53439-958-7
The Dry Season ISBN   978-1-53439-736-1

Local Man is a comic book series written and drawn by Tony Fleecs and Tim Seeley for Image Comics, set in the Image Universe. Each issue has a lead story written by Fleecs and Seeley with art by Fleecs and a flashback story, drawn by Seeley. The colorists are Brad Simpson, Felipe Sobreiro, and Brian Reber.

Contents

It launched in February 2023.

Plot

The story follows "a disgraced former superhero who becomes embroiled in a mystery after moving back home". [1]

Jack Xaver has been expelled from his superhero group, Third Gen, for reasons initially unknown to the reader. Soon after moving back into his parents' basement, an old adversary is killed in mysterious circumstances. While trying to clear his own name, Jack tries to find out who was responsible, while struggling to fit back into small-town life.

IssuePublication datePlot
#1February 22, 2023Once, Jack Xaver, star recruit of the media sensation super-team Third Gen, had it all. But when controversy sends Crossjack crawling back to his mom and dad's basement in the Midwest, Jack struggles to fit into a world he left far behind. And then the bodies start piling up.
 #2March 29, 2023
#3April 26, 2023
#4May 31, 2023
#5June 28, 2023
GoldAugust 30, 2023Jack comes face to face with his explosive past when his superhero alter ego is blasted into modern-day Farmington by a massive cosmic event.
#6October 18, 2023Jack Xaver, Farmington's very own Local Man, is called in to investigate a mysterious drowning on dry land. The problem is, Jack isn't legally allowed to be a superhero. Oh, also, he's sleeping with the police chief's wife.
#7November 29, 2023
#8December 27, 2023
#9January 31, 2024
Bad GirlsMarch 27, 2024Local Man's former girlfriend is now on the run, where she runs into superhero, Neon.
#10May 22, 2024Jack Xavier needs to hide out alongside an ally from his past.

Reception

Reviews for the series have been largely positive. Games Radar placed the series at number 25 for its best comics of 2023, noting it was: "A treat for anyone who read '90s superhero comics, especially the first generation of Image titles". [2] The Hollywood Reporter included the series in its 2023 round-up of best new series, writing: "It's a book that should be a joke – and believe us, it's got plenty of those – but it somehow manages to be a well-thought out superhero noir that moves beyond simple nostalgia." [3] It was also an honorable mention in IGN's list, [4] plus came in at number 74 of Comic Book Resources' best comics for 2023. [5]

Collected Editions

Trade Paperbacks

TitleMaterial collectedPublication dateISBN
Local Man: Heartland [6] Local Man #1–5October 4, 2023 9781534399587
Local Man: The Dry Season [7] Local Man #6–9, Local Man GoldApril 2, 2024 9781534397361

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References

  1. "Fleecs & Seeley's LOCAL MAN combines past superheroics with a present murder mystery". Comics Beat. 21 November 2022. Retrieved Feb 26, 2024.
  2. "The 25 best comics of 2023". Games Radar. 14 December 2023. Retrieved Feb 26, 2024.
  3. "'Birds of Prey,' 'Transformers,' 'I Am Stan' and More: Heat Vision's Best Comics of 2023". The Hollywood Reporter. 27 December 2023. Retrieved Feb 26, 2024.
  4. "The Best Comic Book Series or Original Graphic Novel of 2023". IGN. 11 December 2023. Retrieved Feb 26, 2024.
  5. "CBR's Top 100 Comics of 2023". Comic Book Resources. January 2024. Retrieved Feb 26, 2024.
  6. "LOCAL MAN, VOL. 1 TP". Image Comics. Retrieved Feb 26, 2024.
  7. "LOCAL MAN, VOL. 2 TP". Image Comics. Retrieved Feb 26, 2024.