Characters: Alpha Flight
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Artist: Jay Stephens
Reviewer: Dean Trippe

In this piece, Jay Stephens has taken the premier Canadian superteam and turned the retro vibe up to eleven in a way that makes them look both fun and powerful. He’s really amplified their design elements. Because I agree with his decisions, I’ll let Jay explain his choices:

“Puck is a lovably tough little hoser, but I never could stand the look of his Tie Domi mug. This new, full body hide looks much cooler, and helps him take even more of a beating. Shaman needed to look more imposing than a long-haired guy in green leotards, and a little more authentic. I always thought Snowbird ought to look more like the totemic, shape-shifting deity that she is. Guardian is like the Canadian Iron Man, so I shined him up a little, and Aurora didn’t need to be wearing a black turtleneck body-suit if you ask me… it’s not as cold as you all think it is up here! Sasquatch is still perfect, but I wanted to draw him anyway, so there.”

Good calls all around. Everybody looks a little more accurate to their character traits and roles, and that’s the goal of any good character revamp. I also could see these costumes drawn in various styles and retain their visual impact. I’m way impressed to see someone do such a good job on a team overhaul.