| Top 10 |
 I remember picking up the first issue of this series when it debuted back in 1999 from America's Best Comics (and imprint DC Comics) and being mildly interested in it. Because of budget constraints, I didn't continue with the series, opting instead to read Moore's Tom Strong series, also an ABC offering. Out of the blue, my Mom gave me the Top 10 trade paperback collecting the first 7 issues of the series for my birthday last November. It has proven to be a very nice surprise.
To make a comparison with something a little more well know, Top Ten is like the television show NYPD Blue. The comic focuses on precinct 10 of the Neopolis police department - nicknamed Top 10. Neopolis is a city where all of the residents, from the mayor down to the rodents in the sewers, have superpowers. The comic is strictly police procedural stuff, it just so happens that everyone in the book walks around in costume and would fit in with the Super Friends. And I love the police procedural stuff. It's why I read Gotham Central, used to watch NYPD Blue before I felt it was losing itself creatively, and enjoy the first 30 minutes of Law & Order. For that reason, I think Top 10 is great. Blending the police story stuff with the superpower stuff, Moore gets to do some wacky things. The mind reading cop who is used for interrogations. The defense attorney who is actually a talking Great White shark. A bar where all the gods of ancient mythology hang out, forever repeating the same events over and over in accordance to ancient stories and legend. It gives regular cop stories just enough of a twist to make things really interesting and fun. The cast is made up of fully formed, dimensional characters - not base stereotypes. Moore's script is well written with spot on dialogue, perfect timing/pacing, and a knack for entertaining storytelling. The art by Gene Ha and Zander Cannon is perfect for the series. They are able to convey the grandeur of these superpowered people, but still keep them grounded as regular people doing the regular things they do. Now I'm thinking I want to pick up Top 10: Book Two and complete the 12-issue run of the series. |