In this engaging series opener, 17-year-old Luca Wexler is determined to follow in his father’s footsteps as the newest version of the San Francisco-based crimefighter known as the Avalon Knight. As an unlicensed hero who’s spent years secretly training behind his father’s back, Luca has a lot to live up to, and a lot to lose if he screws up, which is why so far he’s stuck to street-level crime like muggings. But when The Gentleman, a mysterious hacker, launches a campaign of blackmail and destruction across San Francisco while America’s A-list heroes are all missing, Luca must ally himself with a ragtag band of untested heroes in order to save the day.Herrgott offers a fast-paced adventure, pitting his scrappy underdog protagonist against a host of superhuman threats. However, while the story primarily focuses on Luca’s attempt to prove himself a hero—or Vigil as they’re known here—Herrgott never loses sight of his human side. As a bisexual transmasc only out to a select handful of people, Luca wrestles with teenage hormones and debates whether he’s ready to reveal himself on a wider scope—something that weighs on his desire for a love life. Herrgott wisely avoids any deeper manifestation of angst or trauma, instead concentrating on the character’s confidence and positivity. With the intertwining of drama and action, this story definitely lives up to its comic book inspirations.
However, there are times when Herrgott’s world lacks a greater sense of development. In hewing so close to Luca’s street-level heroism and holding other elements at arm’s length, the setting doesn’t always feel like one where superhumans are an everyday thing. Numerous promising elements are hinted at but left unexplored for the moment. Luca’s narrative voice is sympathetic and energetic, suiting his nature, but occasionally comes across as a little too flippant or lax, especially when addressing the reader directly. Still, Luca’s heroic journey is satisfying, relatable, and encouraging.
Takeaway: Ideal for readers in search of a queer superhero story that normalizes the protagonist’s identity and emphasizes universal goals of heroism and resilience.
Great for fans of: Perry Moore’s Hero, C.B. Lee’s Sidekick Squad Series, April Daniels’s Dreadnought.
Production grades
Cover: A
Design and typography: A
Illustrations: N/A
Editing: B
Marketing copy: A
