From the Longbox - Starlight
Mark Millar
Goran Parlov
My Opinion:
This book was exactly what I was looking for: Space Opera Action! I was hesitant about Millar's tendency to add graphic content since the book is rated 17+. I was glad to see that any kind of graphic violence wasn't too bad and it was in probably less than 6 panels. Unfortunately there was one panel that had two naked women but the "private" parts were not shown. So a sharpie can fix that right up for the kids, but it would have been nice to just leave it out in the first place.
Synopsis:
This is a six-issue limited series from Image Comics with a film version in the works. The hero is a Flash Gordon knockoff named Duke McQueen.
Except this is the story of Duke as an old man dealing with the fact that not even his kids ever believed he was telling the truth about having adventures on another world.
But a space-boy arrives seeking his help. The planet he once saved is in trouble again, and Duke gets ready for one more round as a planetary hero.
Who would like it:
Fans of Flash Gordon, space operas, or the retired hero's last ride.
Reason to read (SPOILERS):
Like New Frontier I really enjoyed the art which is not overdrawn as the most popular comic book artists tend to do. Although it's incredibly detailed when it needs to be, such as in the world building setup, features of the main characters are often simplified which allows the reader to inflect their own expectations of the character's details. It's neat to see how simple lines can do so much.
There's lots of fun action and even an impressively smart yet simple wrap up to the total annihilation of the main bad guys and their entire army in a ridiculously short period of time.
But the supremacy of our hero, Duke McQueen, is never really in question even though he is having trouble with it himself. The real interest is the character growth of an old man feeling worthless and misunderstood getting back into the swing of things. He has to embrace his status as a living legend which he was once ridiculed for in order to overcome the enemy.
With the help of others who look up to him, he becomes okay with who he really is even if the people he loves most don't really get it. And you know what? That's when the people he loves finally get it too. Well, that and Duke showing up back home in a spaceship. That helped too.
Reflecting on the Hero's Crossroad:
What is something about you that no one you love understands? How is it effecting your relationship with them?
Who is a "legend" that you look up to? What are the qualities that make them so? In what ways are you a "legend", but you disregard it because other people don't appreciate it?
