It's easy for comic book readers to pick out tropes as they are everywhere. Teenage hero. Secret agencies. Monster fighting. The outcast proving their worth. These concepts can be found all over the medium, and for good reason. Readers tend to resonate with all these things, so creators stick in this sandbox because it's fun. Paxton Porter: And The Agents Of DEAL sits firmly in this territory. It doesn't reinvent the wheel, but the first issue delivers a satisfying introduction to the character and her world by moving these various familiar pieces around like a puzzle to create something original.
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The first issue is fairly paint by numbers as it starts off with Paxton dispatching a monster. She then heads to high school the next day, where it's established that she's not very popular. But she seems okay with that. Her friend ropes her into helping a popular girl get rid of her strange dreams. It turns out, a monstrous dragon was using her to try and open a portal. Paxton succeeds in dispatching it, but the issue ends with the hint of a larger storyline as the portal was meant to be used by a devious villain.
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This issue isn't going to knock your socks off. There aren't any big character moments, complex plots, or profound themes. But as a series, the first issue is still an enjoyable read. Paxton appears to have a nice swagger to make her a character to root for. Also, it delivered a nice bit of action with stylish art, even if some of it could have been clearer at parts. Also, the lettering wasn't as tight as it could have been. As a first issue, it's hard to blame the story for being formulaic. For readers looking for a huge plunge right out of the gate, they may be left wanting more. But I found it to be fun with a good amount of potential.
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