Jupiter's Legacy #1
There was a good bit of hype around this title in the closer weeks to it's release and now that it's out and read I can safely say that it is a solid start and well rounded book but it doesn't excite me as much as I thought it was.
The intro/first few pages are really good, accurately capturing the romantic notions we associate with America and it's dream circa WWII and is just vague enough in it's premise to intrigue one to read on. Here we are introduced to a group of characters who become the Earth's first gen of superheroes though the how and why is left unexplained.
An abrupt but fitting jump to present day puts the focus on the first superheroes offspring, the stars of the title, and the future torch bearers of their parents contributions to America and the world. It is here where the level of interest and originality start to waver.
Brandon and Chloe Sampson are son and daughter to this Earth's superman-type and neither are especially convincing; Brandon looks and acts like the front man to some bad emo-grunge band and Chloe, the more interesting of the two, is a satirical play on the reality starlets that plague television.
The key is the breakdown between Brandon and Chloe and their parnets. The offspring's post modern individualism makes it difficult for them to step into the 'greater cause' shoes of their parents some of the reasons for the breakdown are expected or cliche while others are more subtle and convincing.
Be ready for some of Millar's trademark shock dialogue/imagery mainly at the expense of a woman or women.
Quitely's art is usual high standard and the panel layouts are simple 4 panel variations which makes it a bit bland. I don't know if it was Quitely or Millar but the design of the main two characters are uninspiring.
Score 7/10
The intro/first few pages are really good, accurately capturing the romantic notions we associate with America and it's dream circa WWII and is just vague enough in it's premise to intrigue one to read on. Here we are introduced to a group of characters who become the Earth's first gen of superheroes though the how and why is left unexplained.
An abrupt but fitting jump to present day puts the focus on the first superheroes offspring, the stars of the title, and the future torch bearers of their parents contributions to America and the world. It is here where the level of interest and originality start to waver.
Brandon and Chloe Sampson are son and daughter to this Earth's superman-type and neither are especially convincing; Brandon looks and acts like the front man to some bad emo-grunge band and Chloe, the more interesting of the two, is a satirical play on the reality starlets that plague television.
The key is the breakdown between Brandon and Chloe and their parnets. The offspring's post modern individualism makes it difficult for them to step into the 'greater cause' shoes of their parents some of the reasons for the breakdown are expected or cliche while others are more subtle and convincing.
Be ready for some of Millar's trademark shock dialogue/imagery mainly at the expense of a woman or women.
Quitely's art is usual high standard and the panel layouts are simple 4 panel variations which makes it a bit bland. I don't know if it was Quitely or Millar but the design of the main two characters are uninspiring.
Score 7/10
East of West #2
After #1's amazing kickoff hopes are high for Hickman's latest title. Does it deliver?
Yes!! but not to the same degree as the last issue but this was to be expected.
The best thing about this issue is that it explains the motivations of so many characters both previously named and unnamed (but now named) while at the same time still stringing the reader along without knowing what all these people and events are leading to.
Picking up almost directly after the exciting ending of last month's installment readers are given a bit more understanding regarding the link between the 3 horse-children of the apocalypse, Deaths hit list and the enigmatic Message.
The pacing is slower in this issue and the time frame of events is much more linear to help communicate all the characters places in the story but this costs the title the wonder it achieved previously through the deviations it took when moving from one part of the story to the next and makes it a little more boring.
Also a couple of characters are left behind in favor of fleshing out some of the others but hopefully this will be made up for later.
Dragotta's art and Martins colors are soooooo good. I love just flicking through this issue and seeing the character designs, the expression, the life, and the color gives the whole thing such energy with a palette that matches the changing mood of different scenes in the story.
It's on fire and it is great.
Score 9/10
The Massive #11
Bringing you excitement in the form of massive sharks!!
This months release, the aptly named "Megalodon", picks up after Cal gets some rather upsetting news about his health and half the crew have abandoned 'The Kapital' and 'Ninth Wave' in favor of the mainland and war.
The start is really attention grabbing; a nice couple of pages dedicated to the extreme changes to earths marine ecosystem and how this has effected some of it's oldest predators; the sharks. It also explains the mass fish suicides and lack of marine life in previous issues.
Not as interesting is the parts of the story onboard the Kapital which involves a lot of understandable albeit dull sulking on the part of it's crew.
To say that this issue does not further the overall plot of the title seems a bit redundant when, at this point, I have come to understand that The Massive burns steady as an exemplary model of 'the slow burner' type of book. Be warned though; there is no high octane pacing here and the Massive remains, still, out of reach of Cal and crew.
The art is class.Why do I use the word class? Because our own Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire did it thats why but that isn't why it's class. Shalvey's style is very well suited to the story, in fact he seems well suited to Woods' style of writing. Shalvey has whipped up very dynamic panel layouts and they match the pacing of the story to a tee even giving some of the story a needed boost of energy. As always Bellaire is spot on with the color especially with the color change at the start; the blue to a pale yellow and back again; very nice.
Score 8/10
Star Wars Legacy #2
Ania and Sauk are on the run and it doesn't look like they'll be catching a break soon!
As our two misfit stars try not to get caught an Imperial Knight begins to wonder where Master Val is and the Sith imposter takes a personal hand in Ania's apprehension!!
With no rest for the protagonists the reader must hang on for the ride; this issue containing plenty of action and chasing so the bulk of the book is fast paced and thrilling. The action is a joy to follow thanks to the sound execution by artist Hardman who keeps everything clear and easy to follow plus his pencil work is awesome while colorist Rosenburg brings all the colors; blues, greens, yellows most of which gleams with a cool metal tone but when needed pops with a firey vibrancy. All this color adds to the excitement set by the issues fast pace plus such an array is only fitting for the opera of Star Wars.
To it's benefit this issue eases up on the political intricacies existing between the factions of the triumvirate and instead one gets a bit more insight into the condition of the Imperial Court and it's Empress and could there be a bit of romance! No way!!
Dramatic and epic, #2 continues to impress with a strong start of the track plus an interesting new character jumps in to help the two young fugitives. Everything a Star Wars title should be and at the same time it isn't breaking the mold yet so readers must stay tuned to see where this tale will take them.
Score 8/10
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