They say don’t judge a book by its cover, but let’s be honest after seeing the main cover by Daniel Gete for Dispatched #1, I had to know what the hell this comic is all about. Gete and writer B. Clay Moore‘s Dispatched is a love letter to Die Hard fans while also a fresh and exciting story with some ass-kicking action. Judged a book by its cover and what was inside met all expectations.
Estranged from his family and living under a government-issued alias, ex-black ops agent Morgan Power endures a life in suburban exile as a delivery driver for a major global courier company. It’s a 180 from his action-packed classified work abroad, until a routine shift puts him in the crosshairs of a domestic terrorist takedown. Trapped in the parking garage of a besieged corporate office park, Power goes back to basics with nothing but his survival skills and a delivery van full of unopened packages—and endless possibilities—to fight his way from floor to floor and free the hostages. But some boxes hold more trash than treasure, and Powers will also have to contend with his intensifying PTSD as the situation escalates and time runs out.
Okay, yes, this comic was pitched as MacGyver meets Die Hard, so I knew there was going to be something to like about Dispatched. The Die Hard vibes are strong within this first issue and had me giddy with excitement. As one of my favorite movies (and favorite Christmas movies), Die Hard has a special place in my heart. B. Clay Moore channels his inner John McClane to give us a story of a delivery person caught in the wrong place at the wrong time, or is it?
Our main character, Morgan Power, is a man with a particular set of skills and knowledge that can do some harm if caught in his way. But he is also a man dealing with strong post-traumatic stress disorder and working to maintain it while working a menial job as a delivery driver. When faced with danger while doing his job delivering packages, he uses his prior skills to help others and things get messy. A man with PTSD, uses this stress to kick some serious ass and I am here for it all.
While the similarities to Die Hard art present, it really ends with the simple idea of being stuck in a building with terrorist and having to save people and fight his way out. What B. Clay Moore does with this plot is a whole other thing, telling a fresh and unique twist on a familiar story. Power seems like a genuinely nice human being that is struggling with post-black ops life, but when this skill is needed he jumps into action. And this first issue is only the tip of the iceberg.
Along with the outstanding cover, Gete’s artwork throughout is wonderful. It has this tidy feel, while also a bit grungy at the same time. Daniel’s action sequences can almost be felt and have a strong cinematic vibe. Not to mention the great colors from Lee Loughridge that round everything up.
Dispatched was exactly what I had hoped it would be and more. B. Clay Moore scratches the itch for a Die Hard feeling comic with explosive action, but it’s the struggles with PTSD for Morgan Power that really rounds out the story, along with Daniel Gete’s fantastic artwork. Dispatched is truly a thrilling and action-packed story that takes the familiar and gives us something fresh.
Dispatched #1 hits local comic shop on July 8, 2026 from Ignition Press.
Dispatched #1 Preview
