Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Frank Quitely
This series has been brilliant so far, with the first two issue being amazing. It has however still to kick into a higher gear, as although the series has been very dramatic and suspenseful so far, with brilliant character development and interaction, it has been setting up something bigger, which has slowed it down a bit.
Plot
As the Utopian has a word with Hutch, Walter puts his plan into action.
Review
This was a phenomenal issue, and easily the best in the series so far. Mark Millar has produced some of the best work he has done in the last couple of years in this issue, showing just why he's one of the best writers in the business today. Millar managed to make this not only very exciting, but also extremely dramatic and suspenseful, with the big explosive moments being very intense. The pacing of the issue was also perfect, with each sequence flowing brilliantly into the next. On top of that Millar also did an amazing job of the dialogue in this issue, with it adding a lot more depth and tone to the issue, also being very emotional at times.
The artwork from Frank Quitely was also once again astonishing, and I have been very happy that he's worked on this series. The detail was once again amazing, being extremely consistent throughout, with even the minor details shining out. Quitely also did a fantastic job of laying out his artwork, as although it isn't the most unique style, with the backgrounds mostly being plain, it does help to add more depth and tone, adding more atmosphere to the character interactions. The best thing about this issue however was the way he handled the brutal development points, with his art being very graphical. On top of that Quitely once again showed the character emotion brilliantly, adding a lot more intensity and realism to the issue.
This issue would start with the Utopian, in his secret identity of Sheldon Sampson having a discussion with Hutch about his relationship with his daughter Chloe. Now the latter sequences in this issue would overshadow this sequence, but I personally enjoyed it, and liked seeing the interaction between these two characters. I also liked seeing Hutch try and persuade Utopian that he's willing to change for Chloe's sake, and the typical Utopian response made this even more interesting, showing the differences in characteristics, as well as age.
WARNING: SPOILERS FOR THE REST OF THE REVIEW!
The spoilers that follow will be major spoiler for the issue, as well as the series going forward, but they were in my opinion that impactful that I had to give my opinion on them, even though I dislike giving away spoilers. Now the first major development point in this issue would see Walter and a group of heroes coming and brutally attacking the Utopian's wife Grace. Now I'll not spoil the outcome of the sequence, but the sequence itself was very intense, being very dramatic. I also liked how this would show Walter's true motives, as although he has always acted the hero, he has always had a mysterious nature towards him, and I'm not surprised that he's turned into somewhat of a villain.
This would be directly followed by another group of heroes, along with Brandon attacking the Utopian. Now again I won't reveal the outcome of this sequence, but I will say my thoughts on it. Following the interaction between the Utopian and Brandon in the last issue it was just a matter of time before they fought, though I wasn't expecting it to happen quite as quick. Besides the amazing artwork in this sequence, the dialogue and emotion would be what made it so brilliant, as it would be very intense and exciting, as well as emotional, continuing to show the pain that Brandon feels about his fathers lack of pride in him.
Final Verdict
Easily the best issue in the series yet, this issue would take the series to another level, having some shocking developments and graphic artwork. There was also a lot of drama and suspense throughout the issue, with some very emotional sequences, with the issue being very intense throughout. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this issue, as well as the series so far, as it's shaping up to be some of Millar's best creator owned work since the first Kick-Ass series.
Rating: 10/10
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Frank Quitely
This series had a very good opening issue, as although it wasn't as brilliant as I hoped, it did a great job of introducing the characters and the world they live in. Mark Millar also did a great job of setting to tone of the series, and I'm sure it will get even better with time.
Plot
Brandon tries to act the superhero, but when his actions cause more trouble than good his father the Utopian has to step in. Meanwhile Chloe is in the hospital recovering from her overdose, and coming to grip with the news that she's pregnant.
Review
This was yet another brilliant issue, and although not much better than the opening issue, it flowed much smoother and Mark Millar has started to give some proper series development that show where the story is heading. Millar also did a brilliant job of giving more depth to the characters in this issue, as although I'd have loved to have seen some action it was good to see more emotion from the characters. Millar also did a wonderful job with the character interaction in this issue, with the dialogue being one of the best things about the issue, being very dramatic and suspenseful, adding a lot of tension to the story. The series has however still to find it's feet, and is still in the set-up stage, which slows the pace down a bit.
The art from Frank Quitely was once again phenomenal, with the detail in his artwork being simply astonishing. Quitely's unique and quirky art style has really grown on me over the years, and it suits the adult nature of this series perfectly. The layouts are also brilliant, as although some of the backgrounds were once again a bit plain, the layouts still managed to give a lot of drama and depth to the issue, also helping to add tension during some of the more explosive interactions. Quitely also did a great job of showing the characters facial expressions and emotions in this issue, as although there were a few awkward moments in last issue, there were none in this one, with it adding more tone to the issue.
This issue would start with Brandon trying to live up to his fathers expectations by helping a ship move to it's destination sooner, though things don't go too smoothly. Although it was a sudden start to the issue, it was nice to see more of Brandon, and how that despite not showing it in the last issue that he wants to live up to his father's expectations. It was however also entertaining how everything went wrong, and that despite his good intentions Brandon was doing more harm than good. The sequence would also be more entertaining with the interaction that Brandon would have with both the captain and his friend.
Due to Brandon's catastrophic actions his father the Utopian would come to save the day, giving his son a lecture in the process. Now this was probably my favourite part of the issue, as the differences between father and son haven't been very noticeable, so seeing this confrontation was brilliant. I also loved the emotion and intensity in the dialogue, and how it would show that despite all the good that Utopian has done, that he's not been their for his children as much as he could have, which won't have helped with the way Brandon has turned out.
The issue would also show some development for Chloe following her almost overdosing at the end of the last issue. It would however be the development of her learning that she's pregnant that would make this even more interesting. What I enjoyed most was the realism that Millar added to this, with her shocked reaction being easily noticeable. I also liked how this would affect her reactions, with the smallest of annoyances making her angry
Final Verdict
Another fantastic issue, and although this series is still in the set-up stages it is still very exciting and dramatic, having a lot of suspense and emotion. It also had a brilliant tone and atmosphere throughout it, with the character interaction being amazing. Due to all this I'd highly recommend this issue, as well as the last issue, as they are both fabulous reads.
Rating: 8/10
Writer: Mark Millar
Artist: Frank Quitely
Mark Miller is my favourite writer so I was naturally really looking forward to this series. I have however not managed to find time to review any of the issues so far, but am doing so now. The reviews will be done as if I've not read any of the issues preceding them, letting the story and development until then speak for itself.
Plot
In 1932 Sheldon Sampson had a dream about an island, leading a team their. They would return as superheroes, and now in the present they hope that their children will follow in their footsteps.
Review
This was a fantastic issue, and although it wasn't quite as good as I hoped it would be it was a brilliant start for the series. Mark Millar did an amazing job of creating this new world, and introducing all the characters, whilst keeping the gritty style that he usually does. Millar also added a lot of drama and suspense in this issue, also having some exciting moments as well. It was however at certain points slightly slow, but that's expected from an opening issue, especially when it's introducing a brand new set of characters. Millar did however also produce some brilliant dialogue in this issue, with the character interaction adding a lot of depth and tone to the story.
The artwork in this issue was however simply phenomenal, and Frank Quitely did an outstanding job. The detail of Quitely's art was simply amazing, being very consistent throughout. The layout of Quitely's artwork was also brilliant, as although not the most unique style, with the backgrounds also being a bit plain for most of the issue, it still managed to add a lot of depth, also giving more drama as well. Quitely also did a superb job of showing the characters facial expressions and emotions throughout this issue, as although some of the expressions were slightly awkward looking, it added more drama and suspense to the rest of the issue, also making the story feel more realistic.
This issue would start 81 years in the past, with one of the main characters in the series Sheldon Sampson having a dream about an island, and leading a group of people their, with them returning with superpowers. I was very happy that Millar added this sequence to the issue, as it showed how all these characters got their powers. At the same time the transition between this sequence and the present wasn't one of the smoothest that I've ever seen. I did however enjoy the contrast in styles between this sequence and the present though, as it added a bit of variety to the issue.
The issue would quickly move to the present, showing Sheldon's children Brandon and Chloe. They would also have superpowers, though unlike their parents they didn't seem as eager to become superheroes. This part of the issue would also show the why Millar's work is for mature readers, being gritty and having some suggestive dialogue. It was however the dialogue as a whole that made these sequences as dramatic as they were, also helping to give the tone and atmosphere that this issue needed.
We'd also get to see how some superhero work during this issue, with Sheldon, now being called Utopian, his wife undefined Grace, his brother Walter and other heroes battling a villain called Blackstar. Now apart from this being a very exciting sequence, it would also show how much these characters have changed from the opening sequence. I especially enjoyed the interaction between Utopian and Walter, and how much they differed in opinion, with this adding yet more drama and suspense to the issue, as well as more depth as well. I also found their superhero costumes to be very interesting, as although not as slick as the Marvel or DC heroes, they had a very unique style to them.
Final Verdict
This was a brilliant start to the series, as although not quite as good as I initially hoped it would be, it introduced the characters and the situation of this world perfectly, having some very dramatic moments throughout. The character interaction was also amazing, with some suspenseful moments as well. Due to all this, as well as the fact that Frank Quitely's on the artwork makes this easy to recommend.
Rating: 8/10
