Rob Liefeld’s “Magnum Opus,” Heirborne
When I was a kid, some of my earliest real superhero comics were Rob Liefeld’s 1991 creation, X-Force.
Specifically, I had X-Force #1–4, the first issue being a gold-cover second printing. (Weirdly, I didn’t have the issue of Todd McFarlane’s Spider-Man that crossed over, in spite of having earlier issues of that run.) And, they were awesome. I’m honestly surprised I still have those copies, because I was terrible as keeping things in good condition; it certainly wasn’t from lack of use. Shatterstar in particular stands out in my memories, with his fabulous ponytail, flowing white attire, and very cool double-bladed sword.
For whatever reason, I don’t remember encountering Liefeld’s creations under Extreme Studios (or later Maximum Press and Awesome Entertainment) until adulthood. And yet, when those issues pop up in my local shops’ dollar back issues, sometimes that same brash coolness shines through, even when Marat Mychaels or Stephen Platt instead of Rob himself. Not all of it hits, with easy-to-tease pouches and exaggerated leg lengths aplenty, but the highs sing with vibrant, youthful energy. I’m particularly fond of Mike Deodato Jr.’s work on Glory, a riff on Amazon warriors written by Marvel legend Jo Duffy.
Some of those 90s comics created and/or shepherded by Liefeld have so much enthusiasm that a single story and cover isn’t enough, leading to a surprisingly common gimmick: flip books. No, not the animation kind.
Starting with Rob’s first Image book, Youngblood #1, and running through the end of Awesome Entertainment, comics would often contain a back-up story, but instead of flipping to the back of the issue, you’d flip the whole book around and start at the other end. Sometimes the additional story would be a short preview of an upcoming issue; other times, it’d be something more substantial, like when Youngblood #5 doubled as Brigade #4.
Now, thirty years after the launch of Image Comics, Rob Liefeld has returned to both enthusiastic character creation and the flip book format with Heirborne, a new “Liefeldverse” property launched with Brigade Remastered #1.
The Heirborne is a mysterious family of super-people who reign over a grotesquely injust society, where a privileged Monarch-honoring elect drive on literal streets of gold while everyone else fights over the remaining resources. These Heirborne include the Magistrate, a Superman-type “loathsome sadist who welcomes every opportunity to remind us of our insignificance.” Some of the rebellious underclass have their heads blasted off by the Magistrate for bearing arms, while others are strung up by nooses for the entertainment of the rich. Still, “the resistance grows in strength and resources,” including the “means to topple their empire”; the final splash page seems to imply these means are their own rival super-people.
These five interior pages begin what Liefeld is calling this his “magnum opus.” He’s also said, “It’s the most socially relevant, societal minded comic I’ve ever done.” What the loud-mouthed, “pro 3rd party” cartoonist means by this remains to be seen.
What I can say is that Rob the character-designing artist is back in full swing. The Magistrate has a blue and white Superman-influenced style with a chin strap that covers the ears but isn’t quite a full 90s head sock; in spite of his reputation for 90s excess, this is honestly more sleak and minimal than a lot of modern cape suits. On page 4, a couple other Heirborne are seen in portrait with what appear to be fur capes and Kirby hats, the woman’s face-portrait hat reflecting the original Scarlet Witch look (with some fabulous eye shadow).
The heroes of the final page all feel of the same tradition as various past Liefeld designs, in a way that those who don’t connect with his shameless style can easily mock. No pouches, but yeah, sure, the feet are all out of frame. And, sure, the layout and design are in line with what you’ll find in the X-Force: Killshot Anniversary Special or The Mighty Crusaders: The Shield. One character is a simplified evolution of the Deadpool and Major X look. Rob may be four decades into his career and marketing this as his “magnum opus,” but he’s not reinventing himself like Alex Ross on the recent Fantastic Four: Full Circle. He has his niche, and either you’re in or you’re not.
Personally, I’ve been more out than in for a long time, though moments in Major X and his unfinished Mighty Crusaders have gotten close to capturing how his best 90s work makes me feel. Well, we only have five pages and a cover so far, but I’m happy to say Heirborne is already scratching that itch.
The name “Heirborne” is pretty great for this premise, and as I already alluded to, I genuinely like that family’s designs. I also dig the black and gold armored guy on the final splash page, as well as the woman who looks like she’d be comfortable in any mostly-forgotten 80s Jack Kirby comic. “If superheroes were real, they’d be fascists” became a tired trope long ago, but with Liefeld so hopelessly, charmingly stuck in the mode of his childhood favorites, the results so far honestly feel more like an embrace of good ol’ superhero comics than a deconstruction of them. I love that all of these costumes feel like comics, not concept art for movies and streaming content.
Years removed from the era of pumping out dozens of characters at a rapid pace (albeit many of them echoes of the same influences), Liefeld said of Heirborne, “Doing new stuff is scary because it’s untested.” Speaking for my Shatterstar-loving self, I’m thankful he’s willing to do it again.
