Have you ever heard of Gen 13? Maybe that animated movie floating around YouTube based on the original mini-series. It was one of the best performing titles of former Image Comics imprint WildStorm even as WildStorm came into DC. Probably because it dealt with characters with actual arcs and characterizations, not just early Image’s bunch of violent man-babies.
But these days Gen 13 is more of a memory that their new owners revisit but don’t know what to do with. Unlike WildCATs, the Authority, Deathblow, or even those tools in StormWatch.
Having spent a lot of free time with (most of) the long running series I’ll give my opinions on what made these youths on the run so notable. Each divided on their creative teams especially the writer.
Brandon Choi
The original series that defines this group. It definitely had its flaws including crossovers that early Image abused. As well as lingo from 90s trends that sounds dated even back then. But Choi and Jim Lee made up for it by putting up what motivates this group.
Fairchild, the group’s poster child and powerhouse is an everywoman in the best and worst ways. She’s looking for the best out of life which is why she spends most of her time in books. While her super strength and durability can get her out of just about everything, Caitlin never wants to stop learning to find what she wants out of life.
Fairchild also gets overwhelmed by the responsibilities of fighting for their lives on the run from the organization the team got their powers from. There’s nothing more she’d like than to live a normal life despite being over six feet tall. But Gen 13 is where Caitlin got the family she always wanted. Plus she got to learn about the father she never knew but always loved from the team’s commander John Lynch.
Lynch spent most of his life in service but wanted more out of his life. But because of his Gen 12 powers, he was isolated from everyone but his old platoon. With Gen 13 being the children of his old friends, he has a bit of kinship with them including his estranged son Bobby.
Bobby Lane spent most of his time around foster homes with only a few feeling like he could belong somewhere. He’s always looking for that sense of belonging even after getting his plasma powers as Burnout. Not least of which looking to express himself as a musician beyond Gen 13. Especially when he kept losing the passion.
Speaking of looking for self-expression Sarah Rainmaker is always looking to show off what makes her up. Being half-Apache who leans gynosexual she couldn’t really fit in with a lot of people. But Rainmaker never lost her pride and her actions come from compassion and empathy for anyone unable to fight for themselves.
Freefall, the youngest on the team is this ball of energy always ready to live in the moment. Including following trends to see what works the best for her. Even if they sometimes get her into trouble like with smoking. Because like most of her teammates, Roxy hasn’t really found what makes her. But when things don’t work out, Roxy can find the next best thing to hyper-fixate on. Except for her default love interest.
Grunge like in his on-off relationship with Roxy is always looking to be popular. But Choi makes it clear that Grunge really just wants to fit in. He’s short and has a photographic memory to get through studies. But Grunge was picked on, so he follows a lot of trends and adopts a slacker attitude. He even tries to join a popular fraternity with a friend. But he never wants to do this at someone else’s expense. Which is why he turns on the frats when they’re ready to blame Sarah for an out of control prank.
Most of Brandon Choi’s adventures are a fine mix of coming-of-age, the struggle to find somewhere to belong, avoiding exploitation, and worrying about the future. Sometimes with fantastic pieces like creatures from outside reality, aliens prepping for invasion, and supervillains with designs and appearances that’re instantly memorable. Like Babyluv. These are probably some of the best.
John Arcudi
Arcudi’s run comes in a close second. It doesn’t have much of the same baggage as Choi’s stories. In fact it mainly uses a thread from near the end of Choi’s run for big dramatic tension. Because a bad future could start from this. And the reader might have actually been on board all things considered.
Fatherhood and the sins of it are a big driver here. Lynch wants to give Gen 13 a real life after his former organization made them into fugitives. And he was on the way to going to extremes to get a rival off their backs. It’s not hard to see Caitlin act distant from one of her father figures even if this might be what pushes Lynch to act.
Fairchild’s father definitely has the biggest arc where he needs to be a parent to not just his two daughters but also be the commander to a team that need to survive a growing threat. It settles an argument that he had with Lynch about how hard it is being that kind of a parent. All while dealing with his own past coming to haunt them.
Plus a new villain comes in going to lengths that makes the last run’s overarching villain’s skin crawl. Frankly you would too when you see his evolution from sympathetic tragic genius to full on predator.
So with all of that seriousness, some light hearted gags at the Florida setting are on display. Mostly through a paranoid schizophrenic.
One other bit is just how versatile Grunge’s powers are with limits. So much that other artists made this the most creative power-set to work with.
Scott Lobdell
Probably the worst run of this entire saga. His narrations are obnoxious and takes some of the worst traits of the cast up by several levels. Caitlin is just plain boring, Grunge is an insensitive idiot, Bobby feels like he’s just an extra with plot element powers, Roxy… is alright, but Sarah became a self-righteous Soapbox Sally.
At the very least Sarah’s powers increase to where she’s comparable to X-Men’s Storm. In a clever plot with pacing that feels dragged out.
Ben Raab
A stupidly fun parody of Asian entertainment as it got popular. From anime, kaiju, video games, to John Woo action flicks. Made with love rather than mockery while staying true to the casts’ characterizations.
Adam Warren
Some of the most imaginative plots which tends to get held back by Warren’s dialogue. Warren actually started with a two issue arc revolving around catchy song memes coming alive before he was called back. Nothing’s off the table here. Like the robo maid from Choi’s run who plays a more central part of this cast with more unique lore attached to her. As well as simple scenarios like a fast food drive-thru having the most character defining moments and dynamics. As the last part of this saga, it connects to comic fans and laymen alike with its finale.
Miscellaneous
Some fun single issues like the Annual by Warren Ellis making fun of his country’s capital and spy service. Or Joe Casey using pro-wrestlers and spies. There was also one other thing Lobdell left for a couple of others to pick up on. But it’s not too important.
Some Notes
Gen13 will always be the sleeper hit of WildStorm. It plays to the same beat as the X-Men with its outlaw heroes born with their powers. But they best apply to younger audiences trying to come into their own as they relate with people trying to fit in. Some things work, some things don’t. What’s important is that you learn to grow from these times.
Only problem for DC is that they feel Gen13 has peaked and they just can’t find anything to do with them save for a few anniversary appearances. Which is a bit fair.
I did say that Gen13 has a few flaws. For example, when written wrong the characters can be very dull, if not redundant.
One of my guesses why the origin movie doesn’t have Burnout and Rainmaker is an extra, the staff didn’t know what to do with them. Ownership rights aside, Caitlin already filled the everyman role and most people forgot about what Burnout and Rainmaker brought to everything. Especially Bobby. Roxy and Grunge at least had more concrete personalities. Even if Grunge was garden variety comic relief.
Gail Simone at the very least had a good run with Gen13 while it lasted. It’s just that the executives didn’t know how far WildStorm could go. And it looks like they still don’t.
I definitely had a good time with this saga. I just wish it was more available and that DC doesn’t just sit on it like so many other things.
Loved Gen 13 when I was a kid. As an adult, I have no idea how I comprehended any of it! Alas, It was J. Scott Campbell’s art that captivated me. It was so different than anything else out there at the time.