Book Review: Cobra Commander, Volume 1

Joshua Williamson (author), et.al., Cobra Commander, Volume 1: Determined to rule the world. Portland, OR: Image Comics, 2024.  ISBN: 9781534398153.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: G.I. Joe, villains

Format: trade paperback

Source: Hutchins Library, Berea College 

This volume is part of a new, at the time of publication, Energon Universe series crossing together G.I. Joe and The Transformers. The volume is part of four miniseries in the Energon Universe where each part focuses on a specific character. This one focuses on Cobra Commander. 

The story goes back to a time where Cobra the organization did not exist yet. The man who would become Cobra Commander is a rogue member of an alien underground civilization: Cobra-La. He plans to use the energon energy source to take over the world. This is pretty much how the man gets started. 

The story is mostly OK. Along the way, he meets the Dreadknoks and eventually meets Destro. This is where their alliance starts to form. The plot is OK, though it is a bit all over the place. The art is good and colorful, though it has a bit of that modern cartoon aesthetic. If you want something closer to the classic comics, this is not it. It was an OK read, and it is easy and quick. It presents an interesting idea or two; we'll have to see if they develop those ideas later in the series. For now, not a terribly memorable volume. Pretty much read it and done. 

Fans of the franchises may like it better; for casual readers this may be optional. Libraries collecting either franchise may want to consider it, but it feels like an optional selection. We ordered it here, but if it had been up to me, and I had read it ahead of time I likely would not have added it. Still, I am curious to see some of the other volumes, though not urgently. 

2 out of 5 stars.

Short Book Review: Spawn Origins Collection, Volume 1

Todd McFarlane, et.al., Spawn Origins, Volume 1. Berkeley, CA: Image Comics, 2009. ISBN: 9781607060710.

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: antiheroes, horror

Format: trade paperback

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library

 

Spawn burst into the comics world in 1992; it feels a longer than that, but it is and continues to be a popular character. This Origins series is made it include six issues in each volume of previously released sold out comics. They add some bonus content to the volume such as cover galleries and behind-the-scenes art. 

This first volume in the series takes us back to the beginning. Government agent Al Simmons is killed by his own men, betrayed. All he wants is to see his wife Wanda, and to do so he makes a deal with devil Malebolgia to go back to Earth. Simmons returns to Earth as the hell warrior Spawn. The catch? It is five years later from his death, Wanda has remarried to his best friend, and Simmons's memories are sketchy to say the least. Spawn struggles to remember, and meanwhile he is part of Malebolgia's larger scheme. 

If you've never read Spawn comics from the beginning, or you only know the film (link to my review), you can pick up this book. The original story is much better than the film. You can better appreciate the liberties the film took. At any rate, the volume is a great read. Al  Simmons has to struggle to keep his humanity and balance that with being Spawn now. There are plots, intrigues, sketchy memories, plus Clown, the Violator, keeping an eye on Spawn. The story draws you in, and you keep reading. It has good pacing. I will be looking for the next volume. 

McFarlane's art is a great reason to read this. The art is colorful, very gothic at times. Looking through the volume for the art is fun. McFarlane has a unique style that I appreciate, and I think fans may appreciate reading these again.

Overall, really liked this one. I do recommend it for libraries. For libraries that may be starting on collecting Spawn, this series may be a relatively affordable option to begin. I'd add it to my own shelves. 

5 out of 5 stars. 

This book qualifies for the following 2024 Reading Challenge: 

Book Review: Batman/Spawn: the Deluxe Edition

Various authors, Batman/Spawn: the Deluxe Edition. Burbank, CA: DC Comics, 2023.  ISBN: 9781779522818.

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: DC Comics, Image Comics, Batman, Spawn, superheroes, antiheroes, retrospective

Format: Hardcover

Source: Eastside Branch, Lexington (KY) Public Library

 

This volume is a compilation of three Batman and Spawn crossover stories. The volume includes the following: 

• Batman/Spawn #1 (2022).
• Batman/Spawn: War Devil #1 (1994).
• Spawn/Batman #1 (1994). 
• Behind the Capes: Pinups, variant covers and extras.

 

To be honest, this volume is very light in substance. It is really three single first issues. The other half of the volume is the extras. Without the extras, this would be a seriously light volume. If you are a completist and a fan of both characters, you may want to acquire this for your collection as it is a nice hardback in terms of production quality and aesthetics. Casual readers are better off borrowing it. 

The best part of the comics is the art. We get a look at the 1990s and today. It is interesting to see how the characters are depicted by different artists. The stories, however, are a bit underwhelming. The third story in the volume, written by Frank Miller, is the weakest. Batman and Spawn spend an awful lot of time in the story bickering like bratty children. How they manage to unite to get anything done with their petty attitudes is a bit of a miracle. This does not feel like Miller's best writing. The rivalry just seems forced. At times Batman is just a dick for no other reason than to be a dick. The War Devil story may be the best of the lot, with the new story in the middle in terms of ranking. 

Overall this book was OK. The concept is great, but the stories and writing leave much to be desired. I would say this is an optional selection for libraries with graphic novel collections. For completion, if libraries already have strong Batman and/or Spawn collections, then consider acquiring it. I am not buying it for our library unless requested. 

2 out of 5 stars. 

Book Review: Lady Mechanika, Volume 1

Joe Benitez, Lady Mechanika, Volume 1: The Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse. Portland, OR: Image Comics, 2021.  ISBN: 9781534320567.

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: steampunk, science fiction, adventure

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss

 

This is where the legend begins, and we are right in the action. Mechanika is a survivor of a mad scientist's experiments that leave her with mechanical limbs and no memory of what happened or how it came about. As she tries to find answers to her own questions, she uses her abilities as a sort of private investigator in a fictional steampunk world centered in Victorian England. In this volume, the main story is "The Mystery of the Mechanical Corpse." When a young dead girl with mechanical parts is found, Mechanika wonders if there is a connection to her own past. She soon finds herself in the midst of a case some would rather not have solved. 

The tale is intriguing and draws the reading in. The pace is swift and steady, and the story offers a good blend of mystery, suspense, and adventure. Fans of adventure stories and steampunk will find plenty to enjoy. The story has a bit of feel like some of the old pulp adventures. 

The art is a big reason to pick up the series. It's rare that a comic series gets both the story and the art in perfect harmony. This volume does it. The art is in full color with high quality. The artist not only depicts the characters well. The artist also brings the steampunk world to life with great attention to detail. Details large and small are rendered with quality and care. The art goes along well with the story. 

The volume is the first in the series, and after reading this one I definitely want to keep on reading. This is a volume I highly recommend. It would make a great selection for libraries with graphic novel collections. I'd buy for my library. It is one I would also buy for my personal library. To be honest, this is leaps and bounds better than most of the stuff the "big" comics publishers put out. If you like adventure and steampunk plus a strong heroine then read this. 

5 out of 5 stars.

Qualifies for the following 2023 Reading Challenge: 

Short book review: Battle of the Planets Digest, Volume 1: Trial by Fire

Various authors, Battle of the Planets Digest, Volume 1: Trial by Fire. Orange, CA: Image Comics, 2004.  ISBN: 1-58240-337-6.

 

 

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: adventure, action, science fiction

Format: small trade paperback, comics digest

Source: Bought second hand at Half Price Books, and I am likely to weed it out 

 

I watched and loved the Battle of the Planets animated series as a kid. So when I picked this up, I figured I would like it too. To be honest, this was a bit disappointing. The volume has various issues. 

 

The stories are messy and convoluted. The plots at times seems way more complicated than they need to be. Then we need to look at the volume itself. There is a lot of text, and it is often small and hard to read. In addition, someone thought it would be a good idea to change some of the speech bubbles from white with black letters to black with white letters, which rendered those latter dialogues mostly illegible. 

The art is good, but the small book format does it no favors. At times the art is too busy and cramped even. The redeeming element in the art is the covers by Alex Ross.

Overall, this was not very interesting to read, and with the various print issues it is just not good to read. For now, this is a series to skip. I am not bothering with the next volume based on this one. 

1 out of 5 stars. 

Book qualifies for the following 2021 Reading Challenges: 

Top Graphic Novels and Comics Read in 2020

This is my list of my top comics and/or graphic novels I read during 2020. List is based on titles I read that I rated 4 or 5 stars. Links go to the reviews of the titles so you can check them out. 

Hit-Girl in Colombia, Volume 1

 

 Redbone: the True Story of a Native American Rock Band

 

 

Ripley's Believe It Or Not! (Zenescope series)

 

 

 

 

Batman: White Knight

 

 

 

Lady Mechanika: La Dama de la Muerte

Booknote: Hit-Girl in Colombia, Volume 1

Mark Millar, et.al., Hit-Girl in Colombia, Volume 1. Portland, OR: Image Comics, 2018. ISBN: 9781534308091.

 

Genre: comics and graphic novels

Subgenre: superheroes, antiheroes

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss

 

Hit-Girl makes her way to Colombia when a grief-stricken mother enlists her help to get revenge on the assassin who killed her child. Hit-Girl then uses the assassin to kill the other local gangsters, then forces him to turn his guns on his own gang and people. 

If you've read Millar's work before, then you have a pretty good idea what to expect. If you have not read his work before, especially Kick-Ass, then you may miss a bit here or there, but the story still can stand on its own (though you might appreciate it better if you have read the previous comics, or at least seen the Kick-Ass film). The story itself is fast paced. Once the action starts, it keeps going to the end. The plot is a bit thin, but this is a comic you read mainly for the action and the violence, and there is plenty of graphic violence. The art works well enough; I noticed it makes certain characters like the villains appear particularly vicious. 

Overall, I really liked it. It's not terribly substantial, but it is nice "popcorn" type of entertainment. It is a quick read with a lot of action and violence. If you want some light escapist reading, this may be a good selection. 

4 out of 5 stars.

Booknote: Lil' Donnie. Vol. 1

Mike Norton, Lil' Donnie, Vol. 1: Executive Privilege. Portland, OR: Image Comics, 2018. ISBN: 9781534309777.

 

Genre: graphic novels and comics

Subgenre: politics, satire, humor, U.S. presidents

Format: e-book galley

Source: Edelweiss

 

This volume collects Mike Norton's webcomic chronicling Donnie's first year in office. Norton presents Donnie as an infantile figure who behaves like a spoiled toddler while a cast of miscreants, sycophants, and incompetent people plus some nefarious ones try to cater to Donnie or steer him to do their bidding. The thing is that this is supposed to be humor, and it can be humorous, but Norton basically just depicted reality. 

A strength of the book is in the art and portraying Trump as Lil' Donnie. Attention to detail is another strength of the book. If you are reading this now as I am, you'll find yourself recalling certain events or suddenly remembering events you'd have preferred stay forgotten. Norton blends humor with the outrageous reality, and the result is a comic that can be funny, ridiculous, a bit depressing and now and then at how close it hits reality, but very good overall. As Daniel Kibblesmith writes in his introduction to the book: 

"Lil Donnie goes to the weirdest, saddest, funniest places in Norton's mind brain to make its point, and to make us feel briefly sane and comforted" (10). 

There are many good strips in the book, so let me highlight some that I liked: 

 

• Obama steals Donnie's sandwich, and when Trump complains to the press about it no one believes him. 
• The American bald eagle gets hit by Trump golfing. 
• There is a rookie Secret Service agent we feel sorry for. 
• Mitch McConnell's deal with the devil. Actually, to be honest, this does explain a lot. 
• Norton did recall Puerto Rico. 

Overall, this is a good chronicle of his first year. Out of the many books on Trump's presidency, most of which are likely redundant and/or worthless texts headed to remainder bins, this small funny book is one that should be preserved for future generations. Norton gets the essence of Trump's first year and his administration in a humorous and clear way that no "tell all" book gets. I really liked this one, and I think it is worth reading. 

 4 out of 5 stars. 

 

This book qualifies for these 2020 Reading Challenges: 

#ArcApocalypse

Booknote: Pherone

Viktor Kalachev, et.al., Pherone. Berkeley, CA: Image Comics, 2011.  ISBN: 978-1-60706-412-1.

Genre: comics and graphic novels
Subgenre: spies, crime
Format: trade paperback
Source: I owned this. Bought on clearance at Half Price Books. Weeded out.

I wanted to like this series more, but the plot is too convoluted and/or incoherent at times. Eve is some kind of spy or agent who appears to have memory loss. She is quite lethal at what she does. She has all kinds of people pursuing her, including men who appear to be her handlers, who she does not trust either. All those elements have potential for a good thriller. The main issue is the author keeps throwing elements in and not really tying anything together. The result is that readers at times are never sure where the story is going, if it is going anywhere at all.

According to the book's introduction, this series started as a side project, then it was serialized in Heavy Metal magazine, then writers changed halfway in the series, plus this volume has a section of deleted scenes. Overall, this feels more like a pilot project that is not quite complete. It may have been published prematurely, and it shows.

The art is a good quality in the work. It is reminiscent of Frank Miller's Sin City in a good way with use of dark, shadows, and some color contrasts. Overall, the art may be the only good thing in this work.

Overall, this was OK. If you must read it, borrow it. This is not a keeper. It's basically to read once and move on. We also need to note that given the mature content, it is not for young readers. I have no issue with mature content, but I feel a need to give the warning.

2 out of 5 stars.

Booknote: Battle Pope, Volume 4

Robert Kirkman, Battle Pope, Volume 4: Wrath of God. Berkeley, CA: Image, 2007. ISBN: 978-1-58240-751-7.

Genre: comics and graphic novels
Subgenre: humor, heroes
Format: trade paperback
Source: Bought at Half Price Books

With this one, I finished reading the set, and this completes the run. Though Kirkman and his collaborators have stated there could be new adventures for Battle Pope down the road, there has been nothing new since, so for now, this is it.

After Pope spent some quality time with Mary over Christmas in the previous volume, God being the jealous asshole he is gets mad at Pope. The two guys get into a drag out fight, but before Pope and God get it on, Pope has to survive Amon and his giant battle bot. Oh, and Mary is no longer keeping quiet about God's indifference and neglect for her. The series overall definitely goes out with a bang.

The volume did feel a bit short. The pace was very fast, and it did have some fun moments. However, it felt a little rushed. The ending wraps things up, but it leaves a bit of an opening for future possibilities. In addition, the art remains a great reason to pick this up, and in the color edition, the characters look great. Overall, it was a good ending to the series, and I really liked it.

4 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2016 Reading Challenges:

Booknote: Battle Pope, Volume 3

Robert Kirkman, Battle Pope, Volume 3: Pillow Talk. Berkeley, CA: Image, 2007. ISBN: 978-1-58240-677-0.

Genre: comics and graphic novels
Subgenre: heroes, humor
Format: Trade paperback
Source: Bought at Half Price Books

After the events in the previous volume, Pope and Jesus are homeless. However, they soon find a new place to live along with the tenants of the previous building they lived in, who ended up homeless as well. Jesus and Pope are getting along slightly better as roommates. Meanwhile, Agnes, Pope's old landlady, keeps hitting on him, and if that was not enough, Pope has a crush on a female demon named Brenda. Could Brenda be true love for Pope at last? The volume also features a Christmas holiday edition, and the Virgin Mary drops by to visit her son for his birthday.

Pope continues to blast evil demons when he can, and he does get with the ladies as much as possible. Though the volume is not as humorous as previous ones, it is still amusing, and it does have some funny moments. The art is definitely a great reason to pick this up, and Image's restoration in full color makes this comic pop. The comic also features a short introduction by Chris Piers, and it also has a sketchbook so you can see early drafts and how the comic was developed. Overall, it was a fun read. As I've said for previous volumes, this is not a comic for young kids given violence and some very adult situations.

4 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2016 Reading Challenges:

Booknote: Battle Pope, Volume 2

Robert Kirkman, Battle Pope, Volume 2: Mayhem. Berkeley, CA: Image Comics, 2010. ISBN: 978-1-58240-652-7.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: humor, heroes
Format: paperback
Source: I bought this (along with the next two volumes) at Half Price Books

The art is still good overall in this series. The story is fun with plenty of action and jokes. However, I did not find it as good as the first volume. The momentum from volume 1 seems to have gone down a bit.

Pope now is settling down as a local hero. He is also adapting to having Jesus H. Christ as a roommate. The problem is that Jesus can be quite an annoying roommate that keeps Pope from getting tail and does not keep up his half of the chores. In fact, for readers, at times Jesus can be a bit of annoying character as well. Meanwhile, Hellcorp may be in shambles, but they are not totally out. They want revenge against Pope, but it will not be easy.

Overall, this was a light and quick read, with emphasis on light. The plot is fun, but it is fairly thin. Still, it was fun enough to keep me reading the series. In the end, I liked it.

3 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2015 Reading Challenges:

Booknote: C.O.W.L., Volume 1

Kyle Higgins, C.O.W.L., Volume 1: Principles of Power. Berkeley, CA: Image Comics, 2014. ISBN: 9781632151117.

Genre: comics and graphic novels
Subgenre: heroes, detectives and mystery, noir
Format: trade paperback
Source: My local public library

This has been a pleasant discovery. After World War II, heroes in Chicago unionize and set up a contract with the city. It is now 1962. The last of the supervillains is defeated. The city, as it often happens in these stories, gets complacent and figures heroes are not needed anymore. So the contract negotiations between the city and the union get tense, and new threats are emerging.

This volume was a great read and a good start for this series. Readers of works like Watchmen will likely enjoy the combination of crime thriller, noir, and action this comic offers. C.O.W.L. faces threats from outside and conspiracies from within. There is a lot of intrigue for the mystery readers. As the layers of depth are revealed, the plot thickens. I was drawn in right away. Characters have various motives, and they are well developed by the author. The question arises: how far will Geoffry Warner, the founder of the Chicago Organized Workers League, go to preserve the organization?

Add excellent art to this great story, and you've got a must read work. The art really suits the grittiness of a city like Chicago. I think it also reinforces that this is a story taking place in an older time, the 1960s, an era when the Cold War and the Red Scare were happening.

This is definitely a volume to pick up, and it is one I will add to my personal collection.

5 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2015 Reading Challenges:

Booknote: Battle Pope, Volume 1

Robert Kirkman, Battle Pope, Volume 1: Genesis. Berkeley, CA: Image Comics, 2006. ISBN: 978-1-58240-572-8.

Genre: graphic novels and comics
Subgenre: humor, heroes
Format: paperback
Source: I bought this (along with the next three volumes) at Half Price Books

This is a comic by Robert Kirkman before he got famous with The Walking Dead, and to be honest, I like it better than his more famous comic. Battle Pope is a fun and irreverent ride not for the lighthearted nor the easily offended. For the rest of us who like humor, violence, and fun, this is a good read.

The premise is as follows. End times come, and there is a war between Hell and Earth. God, for some reason, mostly stays out of it. The war comes to a truce, but it means demons can roam the Earth. Lucifer decides to kidnap Saint Michael, Earth's Guardian Angel. God needs someone to rescue him, and he gets Pope, a womanizing, hard drinking brawler to do it. To help Pope, God's son Jesus H. Christ, who's mostly a mellow hippie, goes along. If Pope succeeds, he gets a pass to Heaven. This is a fun read from beginning to end. Pope gets into mischief and all sorts of serious trouble while he also kicks some serious ass. God has given him serious strength, and Pope will need it to rescue Michael.

The comic overall is great fun. The art, now in full color, really makes the characters pop. In addition, this edition has an artist's sketchbook with commentary. It also has a small introduction to set the comic up for new readers. This is a title for adults. Some mature teen readers could possibly enjoy it too. It does contain violence, which is gruesome but nothing worse than any other horror comic or movie. It also has sex, though nothing really explicit. And of course, it has some crass humor. Now that I got the warnings out of the way, I say have fun and read on. I really liked this one, and I do recommend it for something fun and different.

4 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2015 Reading Challenges:

Short Booknotes on Graphic Novels 22

Here is another set of short notes on graphic novels and comics I have read recently. These were mostly quick reads, so I did not feel like writing full reviews on them. So, consider these notes on the run. Unless otherwise noted, I checked these out of the Madison County Public Library, Berea branch.

Jim Davis, Garfield: the Big Cheese. New York: Ballantine Books, 2015. ISBN: 978-0-345-52604-5.

This is the 59th book in the series. It remains amusing, and the pop culture is up to date. Still, the humor is fairly average, and I can't help but wonder if the cat is just showing its age. It was a light and amusing read overall. I liked it, but I feel previous volumes have been better. 3 out of 5 stars.

Michael Bendis, Age of Ultron. New York: Marvel, 2014. ISBN: 978-0-7851-5566-9.

I am betting that with the new movie, this will be quite popular. However, while a good read, it had one ridiculous moment too many. Ultron manages to win and conquer Earth. The few remaining heroes figure out that Ultron is attacking them from a future time; they then figure trying to go to the past to stop Hank Pym from creating Ultron is a good bet, but is it really? This is where the time contradictions start, and things start to get a bit ridiculous. There is plenty of action, but in the end it's just another run of the mill comic run. I'd recommend borrowing it. It does feature some nice art. 3 out of 3 stars.

Corina Sara Bechko, Heathentown. Berkeley, CA: Image Comics, 2009. ISBN: 978-0-60706-012-3.

Anna and her friend spent some time in Africa as students abroad. When the friend dies, Anna goes to the funeral in the small Everglades town the friend is from. However, the friend's family want nothing to do with Anna, and something unsettling is going on, supernatural even. Something is going on in the swamps. This is a small town mystery that reveals a horror from the past. It's a legacy Anna struggles to survive and understand, and it includes prehistoric animals and pirates. Hardman's art makes great use of shadows to add great effect to the story.  The art brings the oppressive environment of the swamp and small town to life. Even if you make it back from the journey, it leaves you with questions and a tad unsettled, as a good horror should. 4 out of 5 stars. This is the title in this post that qualifies for the Horror Reading Challenge.

Fred Van Lente, et.al., Hulk: Season One. New York: Marvel, 2012. ISBN: 978-0-7851-6388-6.

To put it plainly, this is yet another comic book reboot. Basically Hulk's origin is modernized for the post-9/11 world. The familiar characters are all here, but with a modern twist. For instance, Betty is not just the usual damsel; she is a senior army officer and well capable of handling herself. The plot is pretty good, and it even breathes new life into an old villain. It's good, but as I said, it's yet another reboot. The art is pretty good by the way. The volume also includes the first issue of Incredible Hulk, #1, the one where Hulk and Banner finally separate. You can read my review of the compilation of that other series here. 3 out of 5 stars.



These books qualify, in one way or another, for the following 2015 Book Reading Challenges:

Booknote: MPH

Mark Millar, MPH. Berkeley, CA: Image Comics, 2015. ISBN: 9781632152657.

From the book's description:

"Growing up in Detroit, Roscoe and his friends know all about hard luck. But their fates take a different turn when they stumble upon a street drug called MPH — little pills that give them the power of super speed, and the opportunity of a lifetime. Now holding the perfect Get-Out-of-Jail-Free Card, Roscoe leads Rosa, Chevy, and Baseball on a lightning-fast crime spree across the nation. But as a good guy dealt a tough hand, that's not enough for Roscoe. Before long, he and his friends are taking the fat cats for all they're worth, and sharing their take with the masses. But zooming through their riches at super-speed has a downside. The pills are running out, the Feds are cracking down, and a mysterious figure named Mr. Springfield is teaming up with the authorities, claiming to know more about the speedsters than they know about themselves. When time is your only asset, what happens when the clock runs out?" 

Roscoe and his friends are having a rough, hard life in present day Detroit. When Roscoe, by a stroke of chance, gets an MPH pill from a prison drug dealer, he realizes he is able to use his new power of super speed to his advantage. Initially, they set out to taking the rich bastards that screwed over Detroit for all their worth, and they become Robin Hood figures, but soon his group splinters as Chevy gets greedy, and Baseball takes an overdose of MPH that causes his speed to increase so much he seemingly vanishes. It seems the good times are not meant to last, or are they?

This was a very good read from Mark Millar, also known for works such as Wanted, Kick-Ass, and various works for Marvel Comics. His works often contain a layer of contemporary social commentary, and MPH is no exception. The protagonists are portrayed as very sympathetic, and given present day events where economic equality is a fact of life and so many struggle to make ends meet, you cannot help but root for Roscoe and his friends. The story draws you in, and you end up reading it at a fast pace as well. You get draw into the lives of the characters, and you want to find out if they end up OK or not. In addition, if you like elements of science fiction with a little time travel thrown in, then this is a book for you as well. The book may be reminiscent of some stories about thieves where the thieves think big money is a great thrill, until they find out it is not all it's cracked up to be.

I have to say this one of Millar's good works. Fans of the author will likely want to pick this volume  up. If you have not read Millar's works before (can't imagine why), then this is a good one to pick up. It has a good story with characters that many people can relate to. It has some action and adventure with some social commentary, but that commentary is just part of the story; it's not heavy handed at all. The art is also very good on this one. This is definitely a good selection for libraries that collect graphic novel collections. If you have already collected Millar's other works, you need to have this one as well. This is one I will purchase for my library, and it is one I would purchase for my personal collection as well.

5 out of 5 stars.

This book qualifies for the following 2015 Reading Challenges:

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: