Poaching and trafficking of animals for their body parts and aesthetic appeal is a major problem worldwide that dampens conservation efforts and funds other nefarious affairs. The latest one-shot story from the Top Cow Productions imprint of Image Comics tackles this very issue, following a wealthy vigilante who hunts these poachers down. Written by Matt Hawkins, Ryan Cady and Paul Feinstein with artwork from Atilio Rojo and letters from Troy Peteri, A.R.C. #1 is a self-contained action-adventure based on a serious issue.
A.R.C. #1 follows South African industrialist and philanthropist Noah Ehran who secretly runs a vigilante group named ARC, whose goals are to stop animals from being poached in the African continent. Despite being well-equipped, the task force is always a step behind the hunters. However, that does not deter Noah from going after the poachers. When a former associate-turned-fugitive leaves behind a clue to a warlord’s location directly linked with the illegal trade, Noah leads his forces into battle with the hopes of recovering the ivory they had stolen after killing a herd of elephants.
As far as first impressions go, A.R.C. #1 is relentless in its portrayal of the reality of animal poaching. Whether for shock value or to desensitize readers to cruelty, the book starts on a heavy note, showing the real cost of the illegal trade — the animals themselves. The protagonist, Noah Ehron, carries the weight of the world on his shoulders and the ironically named task force ARC. But behind the stoical exterior hides a raging fire that wants to avenge the voiceless lives lost in senseless hunting. Sometimes, it feels like he itches to break out into his vigilante persona if only to channel his anger onto the evildoers. Writers Matt Hawkins, Ryan Cady and Paul Feinstein start strong on the matter, even making a case for the poor people caught in the trade. A the story progresses, the focus turns to Noah’s exploits and the strained relationships in his life.
A.R.C. #1 does not shy away from the blood and gore, showing mutilated bodies of precious animals decomposing as the poachers make off with their prize. The imagery may seem extreme, but they paint an exact picture of the ground reality. Artist Atilio Rojo not only has a good grasp on human anatomy but also creates picture-perfect renditions of the beasts in their natural habitats. His muted colors work well with the heavy subject matter, with tertiary colors giving contrast to the background against the earthy tones of the vests and vegetation. Letterer Troy Peteri goes about a different way to script the dialogue than his usual style, using rectangular speech balloons and yellow-tinted narration boxes, with the latter moving about the panels.
A.R.C. #1 is a self-contained story with an openending that leaves much more of the world to explore. The writers do not leave out any hard truths, portraying things just as they are. They have managed to turn one of the most depraved acts into a palatable story and give it a fictional sandbox of its own. Noah wades through bureaucracy to fight for the voiceless in his own way, with the narrative idolizing his point of view without giving a counter view. However, the writers do soften the protagonist’s hard stance by giving him a humane side that makes A.R.C. #1 a grounded tale.