Iconic Comics boasts a diverse catalog, and Black Hops stands out as one of its most significant series. This is not only due to its fantastic art and intriguing story but also because much of its narrative unfolds through crossovers—primarily with Kamen America and Soulfinder, along with appearances from some Antarctic Press characters. While these additional characters, especially in later volumes, can complicate the plot, Black Hops remains an engaging experience.
Mark Pellegrini serves as the primary writer for Black Hops, with his strongest work found in the first three volumes. The story builds upon real-world events such as World War II and the Fukushima disaster, using them as a backdrop to introduce radioactively enhanced animals that become special agents for the U.S. government. Alongside human operatives, they form Black Hops, tasked with dismantling Cryptiq, a terrorist organization led by Apex Moth, who seeks to harness the same radioactive phenomena to create monsters and achieve world domination. This setup is a classic foundation for clandestine military stories, but the presence of unique characters—such as the radioactively powered rabbit USA-GI and the irradiated otter Patriot-R—adds a distinctive twist that keeps readers engaged.
Volumes four through six lean heavily into crossovers. While the main plot remains intact, it sometimes gets overshadowed by the introduction of new characters and references to events from their respective series, making it more challenging for uninitiated readers to follow.
Timothy Lim is the primary artist for Black Hops. While his style aligns with traditional American comics, it also retains the manga influence he's known for in Kamen America, particularly in later issues. Other artists contribute to the series as well, most notably in a Patriot-R story and the first half of volume six. Their style leans more toward classic American comics—an extreme deviation from Lim’s aesthetic—but it complements the story well and is a treat for readers. The series maintains a solid balance between splash pages and densely packed, well-laid-out panels.
Ultimately, Black Hops is a clandestine military adventure with a unique twist—radioactively enhanced animals battling a terrorist organization. While its overarching plot can get muddled due to frequent crossovers, it remains a fun and engaging experience, particularly for readers familiar with the wider universe and other characters that it ties into.