Starlight #1
Mark Millar always knows how to get our attention. Usually it is from a rape scene, or killing off Mark Hamill. This time there isn't any obscenities or sex included. Not yet anyways. Starlight is an interesting book that harkens back to ‘John Carter of Mars’. The story follows an earthling names Duke, was sucked into a wormhole and ends up saving an alien nation of their dictator. After many years there, he ends up returning home to an incredulous and disbelieving people.
This is quite a new path Millar has taken, although I was a huge fan of the old one. His knack for describing the worst of people at times, always drew me in because of the realism that ensued. I'm not saying Duke isn't realistic, but this seems more adapted than original. I am OK with that, but it is far too early for me to say 'yes, sign me up'. Now that may say something more than it should, because from ‘Nemesis’ to ‘Secret Service’, I've been all in since issue #1.
The story of him losing his wife, kids slowly living their own lives, and his mundane day-to-day, almost seems contrived. I've read this before. Seen it before. Groaned at it before. Yes, in his life on the alien planet he had a ray gun and a fencing sword, but so what? It feels like a new take of an old tale. Actually, this feels like a superhero book. I feel I read this in Nova, or Booster Gold. That's not a Millerworld book. Again, like I said, this IS only issue #1, so there is a lot more room to grow. At least for me. The dialogue itself is not on the usual par of Millar, but for everyone else that is great. I see him as one of the better writers out, so even his semi flaccid is rock hard to the others. Goran Parlov is a solid artist, although far from the best as Millar states.
Which brings up a good point. How many 'this artist is the best I've ever worked with' can a writer/editor use? I feel that is the most overused sentence in comics, and no one ever questions it. Aside from that, the colors reminded me of an old Disney comic, which isn't a bad thing. It absolutely felt like a penny comic from way back yonder, and I loved that. I'm not used to it, but I have no problem getting used to it. Millar said he was told it's Buzz Lightyear meets Unforgiven - I don't know about all that.
Starlight has potential, and that is an awesome place to be with a #1. Would I decry it? Hell no. It's Millar. The man introduced us to Hit-Girl and Angelina Jolie walking out of a rejuvenating spa naked. I am hesitant to put it on my pull list yet, and that might change in a month.
6 out of 9 Panels
(W) Mark Millar
(A) Goran Parlov
Image Comics
