Review by Ian Keogh

Homecoming is a very slim four chapter book with not much in the way of extra features, but Matt Kindt packs a lot into four character studies. An exceptionally draining battle has occurred, following which each core member of Unity is explored over a chapter devoid of their teammates, providing Kindt an opportunity to really get under their skins. What he reveals is really rather sad.

Isolation and individual secrets might be expected, but the disclosures move beyond that. Gilad, the Eternal Warrior and Ninjak are battlers, and away from combat they’re unfulfilled. It’s underlined by Kindt, especially in Ninjak’s case, but what he doesn’t successfully address for either is how relatively simple it would be for them to change their circumstances to make their lives more fulfilling. Neither lack for funds or initiative, so perhaps the point is that they’re restricted by a lack of imagination, although if so it’s hardly stressed. It’s rather a flaw in otherwise interesting glimpses into warriors away from battle.

Pere Pérez draws the entire book in an adaptable style that enables him to switch between the present day and feudal Japan with no loss of credibility. He very much under-populates his cities, but when it comes to illustrating the action scenes he comes alive in a manner very welcome after The United’s more staid presentation.

The opening two chapters are relatively straightforward, and it’s with the Livewire segment that Kindt really surprises. We know Amanda’s smart and resourceful, but the manner in which she’s sometimes her own worst enemy is well conveyed, as is a piece of advice from her former mentor Toyo Harada, but it’s what passes for an action sequence that’s the highlight. Livewire hears a bank’s silent alarm has been tripped, and over the following three pages prevents the robbery in an imaginatively clever manner.

Unity are currently a member short, so the final chapter continues the theme of individual spotlights, but of someone else, and it also presents the battle that begins each of the previous episodes. It’s not really necessary regarding the overall plots for Unity, but there’s an element of tying the ribbon on the package, and Kindt supplies an unpredictable ending, which is always welcome. The final pages are unconnected and lead into the following collection, The War-Monger.

Kindt’s version of a superhero team differs from the standard set-up, and consistently intrigues, and over five volumes now Unity has provided a solid read in sporadic bursts when not connecting with other titles.