The Homeland Directive
Robert Venditti & Mike Huddleston
I think I just read the next hot comic book optioned for Hollywood. I wouldn’t be surprised if that should be the case, considering that Robert Venditti already has a history with Hollywood as the creator of The Surrogates. The Homeland Directive has the feel of a movie with an original story concept that’s ripe for the picking by Hollywood execs.
The Homeland Directive is a graphic novel that deals with government conspiracies, orchestrated killings and people who oppose those plans. The story centers on Laura Regan, a microbiologist, who is thrust into a conspiracy. Along the way she is helped by three government employees who are trying to make amends for their roles in past conspiracies.
The Homeland Directive is a deftly written book that delivers on the edge of your seat thrills. Robert Venditti has crafted a strong story around a novel concept that not only is extremely believable but entertaining. Venditti manages to keep the story grounded in reality, therefore avoiding many of the conspiracy clichés, and keeps the reader’s attention with enough action and intrigue. There were numerous well done elements to this book but I think my favorite was Venditti’s dialogue for the President of the United States. I feel many writers over do dialogue when trying to speak for Presidents or any people of power that it often feels contrived. In this story the President’s words evoke the right amount of power and credibility that I had no doubts that this was the President speaking. It’s probably the best written dialogue for a power figure I’ve read in recent years.
The other aspect that I liked about this graphic novel was the art. Mike Huddleston is an amazing artist. He brings a detail that is more reminiscent of a movie with regard to the flow of the pages then a traditional comic book. His use of changing color throughout the book and where he decided to place some color makes this book stand out against all the other comic flair you might find on the Wednesday afternoon comic racks.
The Homeland Directive is a sure page turner. My only criticism is that it wrapped up too easily, which left the ending a bit flat. But even with that minor critique The Homeland Directive is a great read; one that is more movie then comic. Let’s just hope that if Hollywood gets it’s vice grip on this story they don’t foul it up.
9 /10. Buy it.
