Milestone’s Icon Fulfills Superman Creators’ Original Intentions
Icon is taking the fight to the streets, curbing crime in his neighborhood and inspiring the citizens, much like Superman did when he debuted.
BY SHAUN CORLEYPUBLISHED AUG 26, 2021
Spoilers ahead for Icon and Rocket: Season One #2!
Milestone’s Icon’s approach to fighting crime echoes the intentions of Superman’s creators. Rather than fight cosmic-level threats, Icon takes a more community-based approach, fighting street-level crime—much like the Man of Steel did in the first few years of his existence. Readers can see it all go down in Icon and Rocket Season One #2, on sale now in print and digital.
Much like Superman, Icon is an alien. During Earth’s 19th century, he crash-landed on a plantation in Georgia prior to the Civil War. His escape pod was found by a slave couple; when they touched the pod, it converted Icon’s DNA to a human’s—he was essentially reborn as a human. For the next two centuries, Icon has passed as a human, and in the 21stcentury, he lives as Augustus Freeman IV, a conservative, high-profile lawyer. His life was upended when three young people broke into his house and tried to rob him. He used his powers in front of them, scaring all but one: Raquel Ervin. Seeing the potential for Augustus to be a great hero and an inspiration, she returns to his house and challenges him to use his powers for good. Taking Raquel as his sidekick, and dubbing her “Rocket”, he takes on the name Icon and embarks on a heroic career.
Now, in the rebooted Milestone Universe, readers are treated to Icon and Rocket: Season One #2 by Reginald Hudlin, Douglas Braithwaite, Andrew Currie, Brad Anderson, and Andworld Design. The new comic opens with a television news crew filming a story about Icon. Readers learn that the crime rate has dropped drastically since Icon’s arrival. Naturally, the police are not too thrilled, saying that vigilante justice is no substitute for police work. The citizens, however, are rallying behind Icon.
When Superman first appeared in 1938, his scope was much different. Instead of fighting Doomsday and General Zod, he took on more street-level threats: muggers, corrupt landlords, and domestic abusers; Superman was very much a blue-collar, hero of the people. Of course, this would change over time, and Superman was soon moving planets with his bare hands. However, Icon, who shares much in common with the Man of Steel, is fulfilling this role nicely. Icon is not focusing on extra-terrestrial threats (yet) and is instead turning his attention to cleaning up the streets of Dakota City. In just a short time, Icon has helped reduce the crime rate in his neighborhood, and it is clear the citizens are grateful.
Superman’s never-ending battle has changed over the years, moving away from the character’s creator’s original intentions, yet Milestone’s Icon has stepped into this role, and living up to his name in the process.