STARLIGHT #3
WRITER: Mark Millar ¦ ARTIST: Goran Pavlov ¦ PUBLISHER: Image Comics
It’s a hard thing to change someone’s mind once it’s made up – in most cases it’s downright impossible. But damn, Mark Millar certainly changed mine with Starlight.
For the longest time Mark Millar has presented himself as somewhat of a one-trick pony – an incredibly successful pony – but a repetitive one nonetheless. Most of his work since he struck out to create ‘Millarworld’, and some even before that, has been very similar in terms of tone and structure. Gross, profane and often featuring arbitrary scenes of sexual violence – it all came across as a little…soulless.
And then Starlight #1 happened…and it was really good. It was beautiful, funny and a little sad, and in really subtle ways. It was so full of heart that I began to feel like a bit of an arsehole for having judged Millar so harshly all these years. I chalked it up as a fluke – issue 2 would inevitably vindicate me and prove that Millar is incapable of writing something so good.
So here we are with issue 3, and I am an arsehole. Millar continues to handle this wonderful throwback sci-fi serial book with a patient grace and reserved humour that I thought beyond him. Space adventures in comics, with the notable exception of Saga, have not been this fun or gripping for a while, and yes I’m aware that Guardians of the Galaxy hits cinemas this August – I stand by what I said.
A large part of this is due to the writing, but It also helps that the book looks phenomenal. Goran Pavlov seems to be channelling Moebius with his line-work, especially in his depictions of alien landscapes and architecture. However, his character work is distinct enough that his unique style shines through, and complimented by Ive Svorcina’s simple but interesting colour palettes it really dances across the page.
Starlight is progressing at a great pace, and Millar is toying with tropes as old as time in a way that makes them enjoyable and relevant. It mirrors classic space serials such as Buck Rodgers and Flash Gordon, but it’s modern, better written and it looks outstanding. A lot of people won’t need me to tell them to read a Mark Millar book, but if like me you bore some bias toward this comic based on his previous work – cast it away. Not for Millar but for yourself, this book is too good to miss.
LUMBERJANES #2
WRITER: Grace Ellis & Noelle Stevenson ¦ ATIST: Brooke Allen ¦ Publisher: Boom Studios
It’s a little soon to talk about this one again I know, but it’s really bloody good. Issue two takes everything that was great about the first issue and dials it up to 11. More monsters, more puns and more badass girl scouts – well actually it’s the same amount of girl scouts, just – y’know more ‘of’ them if you get what I’m saying – forget it – you should probs just go read it…you know…if you’re into amazing comics.
spoiled broth 