Blood Syndicate #1 is a very strong opening issue setting the tone of events to come while also smoothly inviting new readers into the Dakotaverse. Read Full Review

ChrisCross delivers some dynamic and beautifully detailed art throughout the issue. The action was vibrant and visually exciting throughout. Read Full Review

Blood Syndicate: Season One #1 is a debut that will invite readers new and old into its world through its strong characterizations and fantastic artwork. This isn't a perfect issue by any means, but it lays a strong foundation for Thorne and ChrisCross to build on and flesh out this new version of the Dakotaverse. Read Full Review

While it wasn't overly flashy and mostly set up for future installments, this was a strong debut for the next era of Blood Syndicate. Read Full Review

Overall, it's a bit of a slow start, but it has some intriguing lead characters and a fast-paced feel that keeps the sense of danger going strong to the cliffhanger. Read Full Review

Blood Syndicate: Season One #1gives one of the Milestone Universe's fan-favorite teams a fresh start, courtesy of a talented creative team. If you're looking to get into the Milestone Universe or learn more about its non-Static character, this is the series for you. I can't wait to see how the creative team works with the other members of the Syndicate Read Full Review

While this first issue of Blood Syndicate didnt light a fire under me, the book certainly has potential that I cant wait to see realized - especially from great creators like Thorne, ChrisCross, Castro and Quintana! Read Full Review

Blood Syndicate #1 is a refreshed take on the origins of the Blood Syndicate, with homecoming soldiers learning their town has developed a power vacuum after Icon and Rocket cleared out the drug cartels. The art is above average, with excellent coloring for a solid visual experience, and the plot is pretty straightforward. Thorne puts enormous effort into making the dialog as authentic as possible, sometimes at the expense of accessibility and clarity. Read Full Review

A mixed bag of a first chapter, Blood Syndicate #1 suffers from worn tropes and inconsistencies taking time from its greater moments. Read Full Review

Blood Syndicate didn't grab me as much as I wish it had, but I'm interested in seeing where it takes its story next. Read Full Review

An almost perfect first issue.

The creative team did a great job establishing the setting, setting up the main conflict, and seeding a few subplots. Tech-9, Wise Son, Fade, Flashback, and Holocaust are introduced, with the much of the focus being put on Tech-9. I would have liked to know more about these characters by the end of the issue (I"m an old Milestone fan, so I'm familiar with the characters, but new readers might need more information). The issue ends in a way that left me wishing it was 10 pages longer. It felt like part 1 of 2, and, as a rule, I think first issues should be complete stories, in and of themselves. It didn't end on a cliffhanger, exactly. I was left wanting more and will definitely check out the next issue.

The art is flawless. Chriscross is seasoned pro, who's no stranger to Dakota. He has a distinct style that's immediately recognizable, and extremely relatable. This comic is some of his best work. He is able to communicate a lot using just facial expressions and body language. His action scenes are explosive and kinetic - no static poses or boring panels. He knows how to use splash pages to good effect, and his page layouts are always interesting. There's a splash of a graffiti drawing of Icon that gave me chills.

Geoffrey Thorne's script is tight. I think he writes dialogue well, and he keeps exposition to a minimum, usually pairing words with action in classic show-don't-tell style. The pace is a bit slow, but there's a lot of work put into world building. Thorne captured the voices of the characters well.

After reading this comic, I'm excited about this series, and looking forward to seeing what happens next. This comic gave me the same thrill I go reading the original Milestone comics, and I recommend it. more

Hm. I was excited for this, but now that I've read the first issue, I'm not sure how I feel about it yet and that's basically down to pacing — this issue doesn't do an awful lot except introduce some of the main characters and confirm that Holocaust is floating around being awful. ChrisCross has never turned in a bad comic, but he's definitely done better. No rating because I could definitely see this being something I get into as it goes on, but as a first issue it's pretty slight. The original Blood Syndicate came out of the gate guns blazing; this, by contrast, is really just prelude.