The Sentry #1 Is the Best Marvel Comic In a Long Time (Review)

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The Sentry, a fascinating Marvel character, recently gained wider recognition thanks to the Thunderbolts movie, sparking renewed interest in his story. Created by Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee – the team behind the popular 1998 Inhumans series – the Sentry is essentially Marvel’s take on Superman, but with a crucial difference. His immense power is balanced by severe psychological problems, which manifest as the Void – a destructive alter ego that often negates his heroic actions. This internal conflict makes the Sentry a uniquely compelling and complex character.

The Sentry is incredibly powerful, but many writers haven’t used his abilities well – with a few exceptions like Jim Jenkins and Jeff Lemire. While even dedicated fans have become frustrated, Jenkins is now revisiting the character with a fresh story. This new comic is fantastic – a perfect way to reintroduce the Sentry, focusing on his core character and a compelling narrative, making it one of the best Marvel comics in recent years.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Pros Cons
Jenkins ignores anything confusing about the character to tell an amazing story that plays to the hero’s strengths
Christian Rosado’s art is perfectly atmospheric and moody, really nailing the tone and emotion of this fantastic comic
A wonderfully paced story that perfectly combines action, character, and plot

Jenkins Reminds Readers Just What a Sentry Story Can Be

It’s an understatement to say the Sentry hasn’t been handled well over the years. His appearances in New Avengers, The Mighty Avengers, and Dark Avengers turned him into a frightening figure rather than a fully realized character, which became a major issue. The Sentry is most compelling when his stories focus on his inner struggles and psychology, blending grand superhero moments with the complexities of his mind. Writer James Jenkins excels at this approach, and it’s immediately evident in this issue. This story captures what works best for the Sentry – a darker, more thoughtful narrative that is ultimately both tragic and foreboding.

Many writers overexplain their characters, but this story avoids that pitfall, especially considering the negative changes the character has undergone. The author quickly moves past backstory and focuses on the core narrative, which is the best way to draw readers in and provide everything they need to enjoy the story. That’s what makes it work so well – the Sentry is a complex character, and dumping all his history on readers can be overwhelming. This author strikes a great balance, creating a story that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers. It’s a thrilling and thought-provoking comic, managing to be both exciting and intelligent. Comics like this are rare, and it’s a genuine pleasure to read something of such high quality.

Dorado’s Art Perfectly Fits the Story and the Sentry’s Artistic Heritage

The Sentry was one of the Marvel’s best maxiseries, and the art was a big reason why. Jae Lee’s style is definitely unconventional, and there’s something about the character that works better with more stylized, dark, unconventional art. His best stories aren’t typical superhero fare, and Christian Rosado’s art fits that bill. That’s not to say he doesn’t do superhero stuff well; there are several big scenes in this book that look fantastic, with Rosado capturing the scope of the Sentry’s powers and his adventures. The Avengers appear in the book, and they look fantastic, as well; Ronado has the superhero bona fides, and it works.

Ultimately, the strength of this comic lies in the powerful emotion and atmosphere created by Rosado’s artwork. The story centers on a man facing a deep crisis, and the art perfectly reflects that struggle. Rosado skillfully portrays the character’s tragedy, the unsettling feeling of the Void sequences, and even the villain’s cruel enjoyment – all through expressive body language. The art conveys the story’s core sense of hopelessness beautifully, and it’s a major reason why reading this comic is such a pleasure. The visuals perfectly complement the narrative, enhancing the overall experience.

The Sentry has been an inconsistent character, so there was a risk this comic wouldn’t succeed, even with a talented writer like Jenkins at the helm. Thankfully, that wasn’t the case. This issue is exceptional – a beautiful blend of art and storytelling. While Marvel rarely produces comics with this level of artistic ambition, this one feels similar to the high-quality, prestige superhero books often published by DC. It was a truly outstanding read.

The Sentry #1 is on sale now.

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2026-03-19 04:15