Morning Glories: P.E. Review

Writer: Nick Spencer

Artist: Joe Eisma

How will the Glories fair at P.E.? Read on to find out.

The official description from Image:

The critically acclaimed smash hit series rolls on with this collection of the blockbuster third arc, 'P.E.!' The first days were just the beginning - when the faculty cancel classes and send the students on an outing in the nearby woods, all hell breaks loose - sending the Glories on a mysterious journey through time and space. Nothing is what it seems to be as Academy's hold on the kids collapses and new threats emerge!

The first couple of volumes of Morning Glories has proven that it's not only a very exciting and interesting series, but that it's also one of the most unique series', proving yet again why Image produces some of the best comics out the now. This volume is not different, taking the Glories to new places, and setting up new developments for the series' future.

Nick Spencer yet again does a fantastic job of adding mystery to this series, by making you ask new questions, and changing the overall tempo of the series slightly. Spencer also yet again goes deeper into the characters personalities, creating some brilliant new developments. Spencer also creates a terrific overall plot to the volume, making it feel self contained at the same time, thus making it new reader friendly. Added to that the way that he continues to tie all the sub plots together alongside the supernatural tone of the series and you can't help but want to read more and more of this great series.

The artwork from Joe Eisma is much the same as it's been throughout the entire series, and it's this consistency along with the overall tone that makes it appeal as much as it does. Eisma adds a lot of depth and energy to the story through his layouts, with them also helping Spencer's script to flow smoothly. Eisma also handles the characters facial expressions perfectly as well, adding a lot of emotion and intensity to the volume. The colours from Alex Sollazzo also give the perfect final tone to the volume, having a very dark and gritty feel to it.

Morning Glories continues to amaze with it's dark and mysterious nature, with the character and overall story development being very intriguing. Highly recommended.

Rating: 8/10

Morning Glories: All Will Be Free Review

Writer: Nick Spencer

Artist: Joe Eisma

What will we learn from the Glories past, and how will this affect the series as a whole? Read on to find out.

The official description from Image: 

Collecting the second story arc of the smash series in one volume. Learn (some) of the secrets in the Glories' lives as we delve into their pasts and see how it affects their present. Each chapter focuses on a different Glory while maintaining the narrative and moving the mystery forward.

The first volume of Morning Glories simply amazed me, proving just why it's got so much praise over the years. Due to this I was expecting a lot from this second volume, but unfortunately it didn't quite live up to it. That doesn't mean that this was a bad volume far from it, just not quite as good as the first.

Nick Spencer does a great job of developing the backstories of the Glories, adding yet more mystery at the same time. I also really enjoyed the addition of the character Abraham, finding the connection he has with the Glories to be very intriguing. On top of this it was also nice to finally get an explanation to the two Jun's we saw at the end of issue two, with this particular development being very dramatic and gripping to read. The only minor thing that bugged me from time to time was the timeline, as certain sequences would be repeated several times, showing that parts of later issues happened earlier than the end of the previous. This however wasn't a huge problem, and actually set-up the specific sequences brilliantly.

Joe Eisma yet again did a terrific job with the artwork on this volume, with the detail being very consistent throughout. Eisma's layouts would also be wonderful, adding a lot more intensity and overall depth to Spencer's story, making the dramatic sequences pop out. The overall style of Eisma's art would also grow on me more throughout this issue, as having found certain facial expressions from the last volume to be a bit awkward, I now find that they add more charm and uniqueness to Eisma's art. I also felt that the colours from Alex Sollazzo added a great finish to Eisma's art, having a terrific overtone.

This volume of Morning Glories may not have surpassed the opening volume, but it does continue to build the mystery and continues to be extremely entertaining. Highly recommended.

Rating: 8/10

Morning Glories: For a Better Future Review

Writer: Nick Spencer
Artist: Joe Eisma

You think that life at high school is bad? Just count yourself lucky that you don’t go to Morning Glory then.

Official description from Image: 

Morning Glory Academy is one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country, but something sinister and deadly lurks behind its walls. When six gifted but troubled new students arrive, they find themselves trapped and fighting for their lives as the secrets of the academy reveal themselves!

Now there’s a saying that goes, “don’t judge a book by it’s cover,” and that’s very true with this series, as despite all the praise it has had over the years the general style of the cover, along with the title font put me off, as it didn't look like a series that I’d enjoy.

Nick Spencer did however produce some of his best work in this volume and it’s easy to tell how it’s gained the praise it gets. The suspense and drama on top of the unique setting makes this a very spontaneous and exciting tale that keeps you questioning what will happen next, whilst also making you want to read more when you’ve finished it. Spencer also did a great job of not only introducing all these new characters, but at developing them, as after the six issues in this collection you already get a certain perspective towards the characters, as well as also having certain expectations of their future.

The artwork in this story was also amazing, with Joe Eisma producing some outstanding work. The detail throughout is overall very consistent, but it was be the layout that made it really stand out, with it adding a lot more intensity and excitement to the story. Eisma’s artwork was however not quite perfect, with the facial expressions having the odd awkward moment. This however didn't overshadow the overall quality of Eisma’s art, as it added a lot of quality to Spencer’s already brilliant script.

For a Better Future is one of the better opening volumes that I’ve seen over the last few years, and if the rest of Morning Glories is like this than it will soon become one of my favourite series. Highly recommended.

Rating: 9/10