the Red Circle - the Web #1 - DC

So far, I think, this is the best issue of this Red Circle line yet. This issue serves as the 'set-up' for the character. It's an origin, of sorts. But really it just brings us up to date on this John Raymond character. Basically, he's a wealthy socialite that's skated through life. However, his brother David has always chosen the road less traveled. John holds him in very high regard, if for no other reason than for pissing off his father. On his death bed, John's father tells him that David is a better man, but he's leaving his vast fortune to John because he has a better head for business. Shortly after that, because of his father, but mostly, I think, because of his regard for his brother . . he decides to use his advantages to try to better the world. He sets up a web-page . . Summontheweb.com . . and asks people to submit problems or things they need help with. He wants to be an 'every-man's' hero. "You have a friend in the Web. Someone with the power and resources to make a difference where you live, not someplace off in the stars." It's a neat concept, but it's not long before people in the media are accusing him of trying to help in places that best publicizes his efforts. "The camera-friendly cases, rather than the truly desperate." It's not long before someone kidnaps his brother. The world knows that John Raymond is wealthy and powerful, but they don't know about his extra-curricular activities. He uses his strengths to track the kidnappers, but he's not fast enough to save his brother. He also finds out that this whole mess was because of his brothers gambling debts. So now he has lots of questions. "How did you fall? Did you fall, or were you pushed? Who were those two? What did you get yourself into? I can't rest until I find out the truth." With this he rededicates himself, and changes his mission-plan a bit. He's decided to go after the more desperate cases. "If there's something so awful, so terrible, that you can't even tell your own . . your own family. If you're afraid in the dark, if the shadows are closing in on you, and there's nowhere else to turn . . to to the Web." Which is how Lieutenant Joseph Higgins comes in contact with him. I assume he's the son of Bill Higgins . . the Shield. Which sets up the next issue in this line. JMS did a great job with this story. I liked the way we didn't really go into John's past . . a little, but not much . . but rather we saw how the current events shaped the character. I also enjoyed Roger Robinson's art. I can't wait to see what's next.