Kamen America Overview
We're All For the Kamen Corps!
Iconic Comics has published numerous books, but its flagship title is the Kamen America series. Spanning ten volumes, the series also crosses over with other Iconic Comics titles, Soulfinder and Black Hops. This overview will cover the first nine volumes of Kamen America.
Kamen America follows Charlotte "Carly" Sasha Vanders, a struggling fashionista from the small town of Oscar, Indiana. The bubbly, Midwestern brunette is struck by a meteor, transforming her into a superpowered blonde with flight and bioelectric abilities. Initially known as Warhen, she soon adopts the mantle of Kamen America and forms the Kamen Corps.
Throughout the first saga, Carly is joined by three other heroines, each empowered by meteor strikes: Misha Lovacova, a Russian private soldier with fire-based abilities; Kimeko Kaneko, the heiress of a Japanese corporate conglomerate who wields water-based powers as Kamen Ramen; and Sylvia Prestige, Carly’s wealthy childhood rival, who becomes Kamen Victory after commandeering armor infused with chimeratons—the same alien material that grants the other Kamen Corps members their powers. Together, these four form the core cast, supported by a diverse range of minor characters and an extensive rogues' gallery.
Mark Pellegrini is the sole writer of Kamen America, crafting a compelling narrative across three sagas. The first saga unfolds over volumes 1–4, the second spans volumes 5–8, and the ninth volume begins the third. Each saga has a distinct feel, with the stakes escalating as the series progresses. What begins as a lighthearted, ragtag superhero adventure quickly evolves into high-stakes international crises, public scrutiny, and life-threatening conflicts. In addition to the main series, Kamen America also has three webcomics and shares continuity with Black Hops and Soulfinder, creating a rich but occasionally dense narrative where minor details can sometimes be overlooked. Despite this, the series remains self-contained and highly accessible.
Timothy Lim provides the artwork for Kamen America, maintaining a consistent visual identity throughout the series. His style noticeably improves over time, particularly in terms of linework and coloring, which become more refined in later volumes. Lim employs bright colors and integrates manga-inspired elements into a Western superhero framework, creating a distinctive aesthetic that blends American comics with shōnen influences. While the series features few double-page spreads, it relies heavily on dialogue-heavy panels, sometimes making pages feel cluttered. Nevertheless, the visual style contributes to an engaging reading experience that appeals to a broad audience.
As the flagship series of Iconic Comics, Kamen America owes its success to its strong storytelling and polished artwork. Lim and Pellegrini remain consistent throughout the series, honing their craft with each volume. The fusion of manga and American comics works exceptionally well, and the integration with Black Hops and Soulfinder expands its universe in meaningful ways. With its compelling narrative, vibrant art, and interconnected world, Kamen America offers readers a rewarding and worthwhile experience.