As regular Scoop readers know, during the disruption caused by the COVID-19 virus, we’ve featured reviews of individual back issues, runs, collected editions, and original graphic novels that captured and held our attention over the long haul. Now that “new comics Wednesday” has returned in some form for many around the country, we’ve decided to continue including great older comics among our features. Remember, once your store is open, checking out their back issue bins is a great way to #BackTheComeback.

Warden Ouroboros Vol. 1
Beyond Reality Media; $30

The Warden is the greatest hero on Earth. He’s strong, altruistic, powerful, respected, and loved by the people. But his story is a lie. A very big lie that his enemies will try to destroy in whatever way they can.

Warden Ouroboros Vol. 1 begins with a generic opening – the gallant Warden faces a rather silly looking foe – but that’s really the point. This book, written by William Geradts and Christian Gossett, with art by Alan Robinson, challenges superhero conventions and some of the tropes that fill most of their books. There’s a team of heroes who thwart costumed criminals, all written and drawn through the lens of sarcasm and tongue in cheek humor. Seriously, there’s a family of villains who look like they watched The Incredibles but missed the point.

But what really, truly makes Warden Ouroboros great is a shocking – and I mean that – surprise in the middle of the book. It’s not telegraphed ahead of time, but immediately makes sense and reshapes the entire story. Readers who like superheroes but want something different or those with a twisted sense of humor will love this book.