The Umbrella Academy Volume 1 Apocalypse Suite by Gerard Way

 

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In an inexplicable worldwide event, forty-seven extraordinary children were spontaneously born by women who'd previously shown no signs of pregnancy. Millionaire inventor Reginald Hargreeves adopted seven of the children; when asked why, his only explanation was, "To save the world."

Gerard Way, best known for his music as a member of the band My Chemical Romance, has written a startlingly good comic with his new series for Dark Horse Comics: The Umbrella Academy. I was initially skeptical, as there have been many recent high profile "comic debuts" from authors and artists in other media that have fallen flat. While the Umbrella Academy on the surface is a love child of Hellboy, the Incredibles and unhinged '50's science fiction, Way has succeded in creating something unique and special.

Gabriel Ba's art evokes Mike Mignola, with its heavy lines and liberal use of blacks without slavishly aping it. The fantastic colour palette of Dave Stewart is another reason that fans of Mignola's Hellboy will enjoy this series. James Jean's beautiful covers from the original comic run of the series are also reproduced here. Apocalypse Suite collects the first six issues of The Umbrella Academy, as well as two hard to find short stories and an artist's sketchbook.

Whether they are trying to defeat the coal powered robot zombie of Gustave Eiffel or an orchestra of madmen and murderers bent on playing a piece that will destroy the world you never know what Gerard Way will throw at you next. Full of whimsy, and mad ideas that hit you at breakneck speed, the Umbrella Academy is not to be missed.