The Umbrella Academy: pros and cons.
Posted by irrgPros: Gabriel Ba. Cons: My Chemical Romance’s Gerard Way.
Are you still here? Wow. So, yes, My Chemical Romance. That connection was enough reason for me to avoid the single issues of this series, under the assumption it was tainted by the stink of One Of The Black Parade. The reason I tried it in the end? The fact that various critics were unsubtly signaling to us, The Haters, that there are various tasty recipes to prepare crow, and that we should really start preheating the oven. And, goddammit, The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite is a solid read. Let the crow eating commence.
This book is a great read and chalking it up to the art — Karmic coincidence: Gabriel’s brother, Fabio Moon, drew Cassanova, one of the other books I ate crow over — but it’s not that simple. It’s the package. Way takes a simple concept that’s been done several times before — namely, babies born at a certain time on a certain day develop special powers, yadda yadda — and makes it work. While Warren Ellis got a lot out of the concept in the Wildstorm Universe, with Planetary as it’s culmination, Way definitely puts down a solid mythology.
In a Morrison-esque worldwide event, forty-seven children are born at the same time; seven of them are adopted by millionaire inventor who wants to “save the world”. As “The Umbrella Academy” the kids become superheroes that fight things like, uhm, a laser shooting killer Eilffel Tower. Years later the team (which was disbanded at some point) re-unites when inventor Hargreeves dies. Dysfunctional is probably a nice way of describing the Academy “family unit” at that point, as the situation escalates when child “007” (a.k.a. Vanya Hargreeves) — the only of the children to never exhibit powers — gets into trouble. Apocalypse, anyone?
It sounds like Way just strung together some good ideas and comic book storytelling staples — however that’s not the case. The story is cohesive, solid, and the pacing is excellent. The artwork combines a clear Mike Mignola influence with that of European storytelling and gorgeous lettering and coloring. Nate Piekos — once unknown type designer for Mike Allred’s Madman series — really comes into his own on this book with great design work and awesome balloon work with hints of Pat Brosseau and John Workman.
Oh yeah, and they wrapped the whole thing in James Jean covers. All things considered, the list above should have been: Pros: Awesome art, colors, covers and lettering. Disturbingly crafty writing by a neophyte writer slash musician. Cons: …the dude wears eyeliner? Yeah, I got nuffin’.
Mmm, crow. Tasty. Good with ketchup.
