Helios chronicles the adventures of the Neogenics Task Force, of which there are currently only three members; Sunstrike, Fa�ade and blur. Issue #3 picks up with Sunstrike testing out some newfound powers after accidentally killing a man, Fa�ade being questioned about the events which led to that murder, and Blur being released from the hospital after her encounter with a neogenic named Hate in issue #1. The issue opens with a nice little two-story-lines-at-once sequence of panels, showing us the exploration of Jason�s (Sunstrike) powers as well as Kyle�s (Fa�ade) debriefing. The two things play against each other fairly well.

The stuff with Jason is reminiscent of Peter Parker�s discovery of his powers in Sam Raimi�s Spider-Man film. Free spirited and fun, but taking place in nature as opposed to the city, which show tremendous responsibility as well as fear on Jason�s part. He doesn�t want to be around anything he could hurt or kill after the events of last issue, and he also doesn�t want anyone to see him cut loose and tap into his full potential. The possible reasons behind that become obvious as we read between the two sections of panels.

Kyle revealing to his superior that he has doubts about Jason�s commitment to the team is obviously set-up for further strife within the group, but the characters and dialogue are believable enough so that it does not come off as hokey or pushy. It feels like a natural flow of the story.

Ditto for Ashley/Blur�s release from the hospital as well as her conversation with Colonel Shiels. Rand shows just how much faith he has in this book by having one of his main cast members sidelined not for just one, but for two issues now. Yes, these people are super, but Rand shows us that they are also human, emotional and fragile. Also evidenced by Jason�s confrontation with, and apology to, one of the Shining Path members for his acts from issue #2.

The subplot with Senator Strickland trying to sabotage the Compound and the NTF picks up a little steam as well. We�re left with a few clues as to who else may be on his side, and it�s shaping up to be a pretty good conspiracy story, leaving you with more questions than answers.

Pena�s art seems to have grown a little since the last issue. There�s still a slight problem with telling the difference in some of the male characters (most especially when they�re out of uniform), but the way he illustrates Jason�s new powers is fabulous, and when he starts to smile at his new abilities, we can�t help but smile with him. He is able to convey movement and emotion, something you don�t see in a lot of the mainstream superhero books. The cover to this issue was a step up from last issues excellent cover as well. Rendered by Juan Ferreyra, it�s something that�s become standard for superhero comics, the �pose� cover, but it looks fabulous and even shows off one of Jason�s new powers in the process.

Helios continues to move in the right direction and separates itself from most of the dreg that mainstream capes books have become. It�s still adolescent power fantasy, but it�s well written, good looking and a lot of fun. Grade: 4/5

-- Logan Polk

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