By Mark Millar, Goran Parlov & Ive Svorcina

It is easy to tell that Mark Millar is having a blast unloading his science fiction passion into this comic. It continues to be filled with the tropes of the genre, with the twist that the hero is an elderly man. It is this particular element that keeps the story from becoming stale.

By framing the story around an aged champion, the plot actually feels like he may fail or even die at any moment. What is interesting about this issue is that aspect seems absent. Duke McQueen takes on Kingfisher’s minions and some other otherworldly foes, but never shows signs of fatigue as before. Is this reinvigoration due to being surrounded by people who truly believe in him? Let’s hope that’s the case.

A continued beauty in this series is the coloring of Ive Svorcina; not to take away from Goran Parlov’s imaginative artwork, but Ive really makes each and every panel pop! The vibrant color palette enhances the dreamy nature of the comic.

Also, Millar and Parlov know how to end a book on an emotional note. The focus of the issue is the fall of the resistance in an Empire Strikes Back fashion; a mole betrays the group and all seems lost… The comic ends with a full-page shot with a single line of dialogue – it’s a wonderful beat and depiction that will resonate with the reader. Despite being a bit cliché, it totally works.

Even if this isn’t the most original sci-fi story, it’s Millar’s take on the genre, so he will no doubt put a fun spin on it. This continues to be a pleasurable read with some real visual treats. If science fiction is your cup of tea or you are a Millar fan, continue to pick up this title.

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About The Author Erik Gonzalez

I was exposed to comics early on, one of my earliest vivid memories was picking up the entire run of Dark Horse’s Aliens vs. Predator(1990). Odd and perhaps morbid choice for a kid, I know...At the same time, I was immersed in the pop culture of the time which included, but not limited to: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and of course, Batman: The Animated Series. Upon reflection, it’s fairly evident why I’m such a zealous geek. My day job is in television operations, so basically I’m exposed to media at every turn, which is where I want to be! Writing comic book reviews is another outlet to convey my respect and fanaticism for the this graphic medium. I hope what I have to say will resonate with others and also spark heart-felt discussion. Simon Pegg said it best, “Being a geek is extremely liberating.”

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