My reading may lean toward the DCU these days, but as both a Canadian and a comic fan, Alpha Flight holds a special place in my heart. Of course, that makes for a lot of heartbreak. This mini-turned-ongoing-turned-mini-again is another heartbreaker. Sure, the gang's all here and there are some moments of cool. But moments do not a great comic make. The plot is pretty cliched (which surprised me because I've enjoyed Van Lente and Pak's writing in the past). Mind-controlling entity takes over populace. Team on the run. Obligitory fight scene. Run again. Repeat. It's not that it's been done before. It's just it's been done better. And while the gang's all here, they aren't "all there." Some of the characterization feels just... off. Yes, I know that's sort of understandable given the circumstances surrounding various characters and the plotline. Still, when you see familiar faces, you want them to feel familiar. And right now, the characters I used to know just feel flat. If they were actors, it would be the equivalent of just speaking lines instead of acting. And speaking of flat, what's going on with Eaglesham? I have LOVED his work in the past. But for some reason, this issue feels like it's mostly mannequins; stiff and rigid. Even the action scenes feel "posed." His past work set the bar high and (IMO) this doesn't measure up. Finally, my biggest complaint (because who didn't see it coming?): the last panel of the book. I'd spoil it but I think it's pretty easy to put it together. Not needed. Not at all. Well, except maybe to sell books. Or just to meet expectations. And that's the problem. It feels like a comic that just goes through the motions. And while that may change in the last couple of issues, I can't help but feel that maybe the cancellation of the ongoing isn't such a bad thing. For now, anyway. (Note: I'm being really hard on the art because I really feel Eaglesham is so much better than this.)