Who is your Mr. Right? Are you a gamer? Comic book fan? Like cutting-edge technology? Love action adventure? Teenage superheroes? A diverse cast? Enjoy movies like Free Guy? The Matrix? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, Apex Comics’ The R.I.G.H.T. Project is for you.
The R.I.G.H.T. Project is the new creator-owned series by comic book legends Tom Defalco, Ron Frenz, and Sal Buscema. Dr. Dexter Click is the creator of the R.I.G.H.T. (Reality Integrated Gravitic Hologram Technology) program. This computer technology is a holographic hero (Mr. R.I.G.H.T) with a gravity center that allows him to interact in a solid manner with the real world. When the government agent known as Big Brother attempts to take it away for military use, the digitally created daredevil bonds with teenage gamer Jeffery “Player One” Lopez. This bonding creates a link between the two as long as Jeff holds on to the controls; however, if Mr. R.I.G.H.T get injured, Jeff does, as well.
There are several great things about this book. First, it is a classic comic book adventure that appeals to readers of all ages. Also, there are three stories included in this issue. The unique thing about this is that the book is only 38 pages long. An average comic book reviewed on this site is 22 pages long and one part of a several part story. Each story in The R.I.G.H.T. Project is a self-contained 10 page tale. So< what does this mean as far as the writing is concerned? It means that the reader gets lots action and character development in less pages. This doesn’t take away from the book at all. In fact it enhances it. Tom Defalco has written stories that the reader literally sinks into. It is so rich in narrative that anyone could easily lose themselves in it. The first two tales are drawn by Ron Frenz and inked by Sal Buscema while the third is penciled by Ron Lim and inked by Robert Jones. Both artists (Frenz and Lim) provide detailed pages with wonderful action, as well as believable characters – from body positions to facial expressions. Just about every panel has detailed backgrounds. When looking at the artwork alone, it is impossible not to enter the world created here.
There are some people who would call this book “old school,” and many readers who would lament that comics are not made like this anymore. Those ideas do a disservice to The R.I.G.H.T. Project. There is nothing old about a story that appeals to adults and children alike, while also serving as a fully immersive experience. When looking at comic book racks, there are books specifically for an older generation, or at least people who have been reading comics for awhile (like anything Marvel or DC publishes). There are also books for a younger generation with simpler story and art (like the IDW Marvel or Star Wars Adventures). There is nothing wrong with either of those approaches. That being said, The R.I.G.H.T. Project charts a course all its own. Anyone can read it. This book doesn’t try to tackle mature themes, but at the same time, it isn’t child-like nor does it talk down to the reader.
The R.I.G.H.T. Project #1 is a unique and wonderful book. It’s a fun adventure that anyone will enjoy. It’s great for anybody who enjoys comics.
Highly Recommended – 4 out of 4 stars
Creative Team: Tom Defalco, Ron Frenz, Sal Buscema, Ron Lim, & Robert Jones
Publisher: Apex Comics
Click here to purchase. (Note: This book was crowdfunded on Indiegogo. Because it was fully funded, it can still be purchased on that site.)
