Overwatch: Tracer – London Calling #1 is published by Dark Horse Comics, written by Mariko Tamaki, art by Babs Tarr and Heather Danforth, layouts by Hunter Clark, colors by Rachel Cohen, and letters by Deron Bennett. It has been years since the disbanding of Overwatch. In the intervening time Lena Oxton, formerly known as Tracer, has done her best to keep busy living a quiet life with her girlfriend Emily while helping those she can. But something bigger might be coming around the corner. Luckily, the cavalry is here.
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Tracer has always been the perfect marquee character for a franchise. She is cheery, upbeat, and filled with a charisma that all but insists that you love her. Even if playing against her in the game can be the stuff of nightmares. Happily, all of Tracer’s strongest qualities are written with pitch-perfect execution by writer Tamaki. Well, minus the nightmares of course.
Overwatch: Tracer – London Calling #1 opens with a brief recap of life for Lena since the disbanding of Overwatch. While she can’t complain about a quiet life with a wonderful girlfriend, it’s blatantly obvious that the one-time hero has an itch the easy life isn’t scratching.
When Tracer happens across an Omnic youth stealing parts, she quickly springs into action. But when she finally catches up to the youth, the situation isn’t what she thought it was. As the young man, identified as Iggy, shows Tracer to the home of the Omnics, a subterranean part of London called the Underworld, she quickly learns the theft wasn’t about crime as much as survival.
Most of London’s human population won’t trade with the Omnics. So when something breaks, they have to do what they can. Lena is instantly sympathetic to the plight of these oppressed individuals and offers to lend whatever aid she can. But as she returns home she is ambushed by interested parties who are not so happy with her desire to help. Not that someone’s displeasure will stop Lena from doing the right thing.
Just as Overwatch: Tracer – London Calling #1 writing captures the energy and positivity of its titular character, the art further reinforces it. Lena’s bubbly personality is ever-present. This combines with the cartoony design of the characters and world by artist Tarr and Danforth to deliver a fun, high-spirited story.
The colors further the art’s delivery. Whether in the bright streets of London, a cozy evening in Lena’s apartment, or exploring the Underworld, the colors always bring out the mood of their settings nicely. Lastly, we have Bennett’s lettering. The letter work here utilizes a font that works perfectly with the energy of its story, imparting its protagonist with that final visual touch to her personality.
When all is said and done, Overwatch: Tracer – London Calling #1 delivers a strong start to its narrative. It catches readers up with its protagonist smoothly while setting up events to come. And, unless I miss my guess, a rather influential event in Overwatch lore may be about to happen.
Overwatch: Tracer – London Calling #1 is now available wherever comics are sold.
Overwatch: Tracer - London Calling #1
TL;DR
When all is said and done, Overwatch: Tracer – London Calling #1 delivers a strong start to its narrative. It catches readers up with its protagonist smoothly while setting up events to come. And, unless I miss my guess, a rather influential event in Overwatch lore may be about to happen.
