ABC Comics' Top 10
A police procedural from Alan Moore and Gene Ha. Some love for Sal.
Greetings from the frozen tundra. We had 8 inches of snow plus some ice last weekend, so we are just now starting to thaw out. I was at home for 5 days straight. (Oklahoma home isn’t built for snow.) Hello, my name is Jarrod. I am the host and creator of the Punch The Timeline podcast. I’m a huge fan of comic books and all other avenues of storytelling. This newsletter is my guide to all the good things you should be reading/viewing/listening to. Today, we pay respect to a legend and talk about another legend’s book.
Last week, news of Sal Buscema’s death was announced. Sal was a legendary artist that worked in the business for 5 decades, primarily at Marvel Comics. Sal was the artist on Spectacular Spider-Man when I started reading in 1992, and his art has a spot in my head as one of the all time greats. He was an absolute workhorse, working on the Incredible Hulk for 10 years and Spectacular for 8 years, oftentimes as doing both pencils and inks. Above all, he was a powerful storyteller.
Today we take a look at a book from a legend who went against a vow to never work for DC Comics again. The legend? Alan Moore. The book? Top 10.
About
Top 10 is a series about a police precinct in a city where everyone has superpowers. Written by Moore, with art by Gene Ha (pencils/inks) and Zander Cannon (layouts), Top 10 is published by (deep breath) DC Comics, on Moore’s America’s Comics imprint, itself an imprint of WildStorm. ABC started with Image Comics, but when Lee sold WildStorm to DC, ABC was part of the deal. Moore made a vow to never work for DC again after the Watchmen situation. According to Wikipedia, Moore was eventually convinced to continue working with DC because he had promised work to a number of artists. A deal was made to keep ABC separate from DC editorial.
The thing about Top 10 that makes it interesting is that in this world full of superheroes, having powers isn’t a big deal. These are working class people doing a job and then going home to live their lives. No secret identities. Just a job. It’s funny that as I was reading this book, I came across NYPD Blue on Roku. Top 10 has been described as a police procedural, and Moore has cited Hill Street Blues as an influence, so I can see the parallels between cop dramas and this book.
Let’s do a quick roll call of the main characters of Top 10:
Robyn Slinger: Known as Toybox at the police academy, Slinger carries around a toy box with robotic toys built by her father. She uses the toys to aid in investigation and to defend herself in combat situations. Slinger is the audience surrogate.
Smax: Jeff Smax is a big blue curmudgeon with super strength and the ability to shoot concussive blast from his chest. He is partnered with Slinger in the first issue.
Girl One: Sung Li is a bioengineered woman that can change the pigments in her skin.
Kemlo Caesar: Kemlo is a dog in an exoskeleton. It’s hilarious to see him bossing people around outside of said exoskeleton when it gets damaged. Kemlo is a bit of a scumbag when it comes to the ladies.
Jack Phantom: Jackie Kowalski can phase and is constantly see through. Even her word balloons are slightly transparent. Because this book was written 26 years ago, a big deal is made about her being a lesbian.
Duane "Dust Devil" Bodine: Dust Devil is a high tech cowboy that has problems outside the job with his mother.
Pete Cheney: Shock Head Pete has electrical powers and is Dust Devil’s partner.
Cathy "Peregrine" Colby: A Lieutenant at the precinct, Peregrine has artificial wings
John "King Peacock" Corbeau: A family man that speaks to his god to find weak spots and faults. Often called a devil worshiper, King Peacock is sent to another parallel and forced to compete in a gladiator like competition.
Irma "Irma Geddon" Wornow: She’s a woman in a battle suit that has 2 kids and is married to an unemployed precog.
Captain Steve Traynor: “Jetman” is an old hero and the Captain of the squad. He’s the one making all the big decisions and dealing with the Commissioner. Because this book was written 26 years ago, a big deal is made about him being gay.
Comparisons
As I started reading the first issue, the first thing that came to mind wasn’t Hill Street Blues, it was two comics. Two comics that are still active today. The first book was Astro City. The first issue has a cover by Alex Ross, who does cover art and character design for Astro City. Being introduced to a world where superheroes are not always looked at as gods took me back to 1995, where Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Alex Ross told us stories that leave you with a smile on your face or a tear in your eye. Coincidentally, Top 10 and Astro City both won the Eisner Award for Best Continuing Series.
The other book that came to mind was Powers by Brian Michael Bendis and Michael Avon Oeming. Powers is a book that follows two cops working homicide in the Powers Division, a division exclusively for superhero murders. Where Astro City makes you smile, Powers can make you cringe. The book is graphic and filled with F bombs galore. Coincidentally, Top 10 and Powers both won the Eisner for Best New Series.
Why You Should Read Top 10
It’s a good bet that if a book wins an Eisner, it’s worth reading. I don’t think I have to do too much to sell you on Top 10, but I’ll give you a couple of reasons.
The drama: Like I said above, if you enjoy cop dramas, you’re going to like this book. You will find a member or two of the squad that you prefer and then look forward to their moments on shift. It’s also fun to try and figure out whodunnit in the various crimes that are being investigated.
The art: You have to read Top 10 twice. Once to read the story, and again to look at all the art. There are so many things in the background that are tongue in cheek references or a wink to something from Marvel and DC. The joke about the Ultra Mice in Dust Devil’s mom’s apartment goes on for several issues, with references to secret crisis crossover wars and continuity resets. It also gives us this visual:
Social Media
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Next time: More of the DC In My Lifetime series. I’m reading as many DC Comics from July 1980 (when I was born) to December 1992 (when I started reading comics) as I can. We are about to close out 1980, and I’m looking forward to what is next. The goal is to get at least 2 posts a month. I feel like Erik Larsen here, but I promise to do better. Take care, everyone.
Your friend on the internet,
-Jarrod