Review by Karl Verhoven

The reintroduction of most of the classic Alpha Flight line-up ties in with the disintegration of the mutant community of Krakoa, and in siding with the Canadian government’s anti-mutant agenda, Alpha Flight appear to have compromised their principles. Not least because two of their own are mutants. To begin with Ed Brisson focuses on Guardian, Puck, Shaman and Snowbird, with the Canadian authorities unaware of how they’ve invited the wolf into the sheep pen by collaborating with sinister corporation Orchis on new technology.

Brisson takes an interesting view of the Canadians hunting down mutants. They’re shown confronting people who’ve concealed their abilities and been productive members of society. It’s meant to induce discomfort, and does. Naturally enough, it’s not long before Alpha Flight are drawn into confrontation with former members Aurora and Northstar, who’re attempting to rescue mutants from government forces. “We’ve been forced to choose a side in this fight”, says Shaman, “and I will not lose sleep over the decision we’ve made”. What that decision is only becomes clear as the opening chapter ends. After that surprise, Brisson takes the time to set out allegiances, limitations and threats.

The dramatic action and ever-present danger is conveyed by Scott Godlewski’s illustrations. He has to cope with a vast amount of different people, yet keeps them easily distinguished and the storytelling is clear throughout.

There’s some clever plotting here. Not everyone is who they first seem to be, and Brisson keeps stoking the emotional conflict. Just because people are allied doesn’t mean they all get along, or share the same views, and the situations Brisson places the cast in are designed to bring out emotional extremes. Along the way text pages supply information about lesser known people, artefacts and situations.

Divided We Stand is a thriller building to an unexpected conclusion, and you’ll be left wanting Brisson and Godlewski to be let loose on a sequel.