Booknote: Jupiter's Legacy, Volume 1

Mark Millar and Frank Quitely, Jupiter's Legacy, Volume 1. Berkeley, CA: Image Comics, 2015. ISBN: 9781632153104. 

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: superheroes, family stories
Format: e-book galley
Source: Provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. 

Sheldon Sampson, known as The Utopian, is the main superhero in this story. He has done many great deeds, and he has earned the respect and admiration of the people. However, time goes by. He gets married, has children, and like any other family man, his children grow up. In this case, the children have quite a legacy to live up to. Neither the son nor the daughter seem to be very interested in carrying on the family "business." The daughter mostly lives off her celebrity status as daughter of a superhero, and the son is mostly a slacker. What none of them is aware of that other family members, who also have superpowers, are plotting a coup against Utopian, who they see as out of touch with the current realities of the world.

This was a pretty good story of family and betrayal. It also has a pretty good pace and a good amount of intrigue. In some ways, it is reminiscent of some classic dramas where the father is frustrated over the seeming lack of care of his children when it comes to the royal legacy. The story has tension as other heroes begin to take sides in the upcoming conflict. When the coup does happen, many of those heroes now become fugitives of the new regime if they refuse to fall in line. The story also asks a question about ethics and who should rule in society. It is a question we have seen in other works ranging from Superman to the Watchmen.

The volume features very good art overall. This is the first volume in a series, and I will look for the next one to see how things unfold. This is a good selection for libraries with graphic novel collections. However, do note that it does have some violence and adult situations, so this is not one for the little kids. I would say more for advanced teens and for adults. At this point in time, I really liked it.

4 out of 5 stars.


The book qualifies for the following 2015 Reading Challenges: