I grew up reading comics in the early 90s.  One of the superhero archetypes that was popular then was the lethal enforcer.  Punisher, Venom, Wolverine–these were heroes whose dark sides were so prevalent that often the line that separated them from the villains they fought was very thin.  They had a strict sense of justice but interpreted very loosely exactly how that justice was meant to be enforced.

In reading Unsolicited Justice, I get exactly that vibe.  The hero of the story, the “Port City Protector” known as Alderman, is a self appointed judge, jury, and executioner to criminals who evade punishment.  He brings these criminals to the justice they think they have escaped.  While Alderman’s views on crime and punishment seem to channel an inner Frank Castle, his methods resemble that of a Batman with a smaller bank account.  He uses homemade gadgets and self-taught fighting skills to achieve his mission, all the while thinking two steps ahead of anyone who might want to try and pursue him.  Alderman isn’t all cold stone crime-bashing, though.  He has a soft spot for a nun at Shannon House, a place for runaways to escape.  Nothing like a good dose of forbidden love to really drive home the anti-hero archetype!

What I love most about the comic is the location.  These stories take place in the one, the only, Shreveport, LA!!  The background and atmosphere are all too familiar.  In the skylines, you see the Regions Tower building rising up.  Cars drive over the Texas Street Bridge.  One criminal even talks of having to dump a body “into the Red River.”  The comic book captures a vibe similar to what Stan Lee wanted to achieve by placing all of his heroes near his office in New York City–you get the feeling that you might actually bump into the Port City Protector while walking downtown.  For Shreveport locals, geeking out about the familiar surroundings is as much fun as the story itself.

Concerning the content, this book isn’t exactly for little kids.  There are some light uses of adult language, and the situations discussed and presented are intended for older audiences.  That being said, it is not overly graphic in its artwork, even when it could have been.  So, for older kids (13+) who want a good anti-hero story that won’t make their parents cringe at what’s on the page, I can highly recommend this comic book.

All in all, it was a fun read.  It took me back to a simpler time when comics were meant to be fun and entertaining.  If you’d like to help support the IndieGoGo visit this [link here]

Keep Soaring,

B