REVIEW: ‘The Question: All Along the Watchtower’ Issue #1

The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 is published by DC Comics. Written by Alex Segura, art by Cian Tormey, colors by Romulo Fajardo Jr, and letters by Willie Schubert. This issue is part of DC’s All-In relaunch. There is something wrong with The Watchtower, and Renee Montoya has been tasked with finding the answers.

The beginning of a murder mystery, the issue requires a lot of exposition. A new era is unfolding for the The Question and the entire Justice League. Sergura does a great job of explaining everything that the comic will entail. The Question is the sheriff of the Watchtower, holding the all-powerful heroes accountable whilst also investigating a problem on the station that everyone seems to be aware of. This adds two sides to the book.

There is the hero side, trying to regulate an entire army of Justice League members. Then, there is the noir detective story which tries to take place in such a peculiar and safe place.  The pacing is very smooth, allowing all the information to be imparted and then launching The Question into her first fight. The adventure happens within the Watchtower, barely leaving the headquarters after the opening. As Renee says, this is her beat now, and it feels like that in this issue. The final part of the comic is an action scene that shows what can be expected, with considerable unpredictability regarding who will show up.

The noir storyline is told through the main character’s perspective, which is hilarious considering everyone around it. The Questions’ narration is beautifully written, addressing the ridiculous nature of the book. Her thoughts are calm, journaled like a detective on a case. It’s fantastic at detailing Montoya’s thoughts and summarising the points, collating history into digestible captions. They are personable and relatable, struggling to recognize the scale of the job at hand.

What also complicates the noir vibe for the better is the presence of superheroes. And there are a lot of heroes. The Question isn’t alone in protecting the Watchtower; she has been given a team. The two Blue Beetles are her tech and power, and another major player is by her side. But there is a host of other superpowered beings that can and do make appearances. The nature of the Watchtower means that anyone can show up, join in the battles, or just converse.

The Question encounters all three of the Trinity: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. But other heroes make up the new base’s infrastructure and ecosystem. Each hero gets a description by The Question that expertly sums them up and her connection to them. You don’t need to be an expert in DC superheroes to enjoy the book.

The art is fantastic in The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1. The Watchtower has become its own little world, a community of heroes where they can be among their own kind. Every hero looks exceptional. Tormey has a host of characters to have fun with, capturing the best characteristics of each. Batman steps out of the shadows with his angular costume. Superman looks immense and positive, and Wonder Woman is a welcoming guide around the Watchtower. Each cameo and appearance brings a smile.

Then there is The Question herself. She has the look of a sheriff or ranger. Montoya matches the super-noir genre with a long gun strapped to her back, a fedora, and a sweeping coat. With her mask obscuring all of her facial features, it is impossible to tell what she feels, adding mystery to the pages. Despite the Watchtower supposedly being a secure location and a haven for superheroes, there is an unsettling atmosphere. Now we know something is wrong; the eyes scan the thick shadows for threats. The fight scene is amazing. It’s rough and relentless, with superpowers and technology around every corner.

The colors are terrific. Despite The Question’s influence on the noir aspects of the issue, it is a bright and vibrant comic. The various heroes come with eccentric and powerful colors, with almost every color in the rainbow represented. The Watchtower itself is well-lit and shiny, seemingly safe and friendly. But some shadows have secrets and dangers within. The lettering has a unique shape but is always easy to read.

The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 looks for danger in the safest place in the Universe. The concept is excellent, trying to start a mysterious detective story in such a secure location. It gives the fortress a fragility and infuses the Watchtower with life and personality. The comic has excellent energy and stunning artwork and is so much fun. There are thousands of possibilities when it comes to guest stars and circumstances. And yet, The Question always grounds the story and the heroes themselves.

The Question: All Along The Watchtower #1 is available where comics are sold.