|
 THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY #3
Written by Gerard Way
Art by Gabriel Ba, Dave Stewart, Nate Pieros and James Jean
Reviewed by Kenne
We're at the half-way point of the freshman miniseries that introduced a brand new team of superheroes, and I have to say that I hope this isn't the only time we see these characters created by the talented creative team that has given Umbrella Academy literary life. The Umbrella Academy is for people who like superhero stories mixed in with a dash of crime noir and old sci-fi periodicals. While I'm not all that familiar with Flash Gordon, I dare say that I believe Umbrella Academy would appeal to the Flash fans as well.
What Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba have given us is a story about a group of super-powered individuals who were orphans until they came under the guardianship of their adoptive father Sir Reginald Hargreeves. Sir Reginald, under the guise of The Monocle, raises his wards to become crime-fighters, but eventually they disbanded the family and went their separate ways only to return as adults to attend the funeral of The Monocle. When an old enemy seems to return to threaten the world again, the Umbrella Academy is forced to reunite. With a mixture of adventure, cynicism and humor, Way and Ba have created a fun series of adventurers who give new meaning to the term Dysfunctional Family, especially after the only non-powered member of the family makes a traitorous decision at the end of the issue that spells disaster for the rest of the family. With only three more issues to go, it'll be interesting to see what becomes of The Umbrella Academy in this, their Apocalypse Suite.
 Grendel: Behold the Devil #0 - 1
Created, written and illustrated by Matt Wagner
Reviewed by Sean McGrath
I love Matt Wagner's work; I have ever since his early work on Grendel and Mage. I truly believe he's one of the most under-appreciated and underused creators in the comics world (next to Art Adams). So, when I heard that he was returning to his original devil, Hunter Rose, I couldn't wait to see if the same old (black) magic would be there. It was.
Something is amiss with the devil. More than usual, I mean. When blood leaps from almost every page, it's hard to say that "everything is all right" with him, even if leaping blood is the norm. Grendel, usually so calm, so detached from his work, is haunted by the feeling that he's being watched. Whoever or whatever is driving him to distraction was important enough for Hunter Rose to have excised two weeks from his habitually meticulous journal (as we find out from his "daughter" biographer, our narrator and later-devil: Christine Spar. What could make Grendel lose focus? I have an idea, but I'm
keeping it to myself for now (hint: read Devil by the Deed.)
The story is hot. The violence is elegant. And the Devil walks again.
This is a must-have series!
|
