The Umbrella Academy Volume 1 (v. 1)
The Umbrella Academy Volume 1 (v. 1)
Gerard Way, of My Chemical Romance, makes his comics writing debut in this outrageous superhero epic that Grant Morrison called “An ultraviolet psychedelic sherbet bomb of wit and ideas. The superheroes of the 21st century are here at last…” 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.” These seven children form The Umbrella Academy, a dysfunctional family of superheroes with bizarre powers. Their first adventure at the age of ten pits them against an erratic and deadly Eiffel Tower, piloted by the fearsome zombie-robot Gustave Eiffel. Nearly a decade later, the team disbands, but when Hargreeves unexpectedly dies, these disgruntled siblings reunite just in time to save the world once again
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Good art. Writing? Welll, not bad
I bought this because I was impressed with the art. I did not get it because of Gerard Way. In fact, those who do are really missing the best part. Gerard as an art director, and tone setter does a good job. However, there is really not much writing to speak of. Characters lack any serious depth. However, that doesn’t matter because it has a robot zombie taking vengeance on Paris using the Eiffel Tower as a rocket ship. So what more can you want? Amazing art work.
5 Stars Gerard Way IS a genius!!
I bought this graphic novel for my daughter for Christmas, but I read it myself and it is wonderfully imaginative!The extras in the back which showed Gerard Way’s original artwork prove how talented he is, for anyone who doubted it!
5 Stars I Love Gerard Way
This is a very imaginitive work and is suitable for any comic book fan over the age of 13 or so. Can’t wait for more from Mr. Way.
1 Stars A Warning!
I didn’t laugh, didn’t care and had to push myself really hard to finish this barely readable comic. The art is fine. This story is not. Well if you could really call it a story. It’s a mish-mash of hastily thrown together parts that certainly doesn’t add up to anything much. It took me about 10 attempts to get through it. I put in down on several occasions threw sheer frustration at the juvenile story and dialogue. The worst thing you can say about a comic or any story for that matter is when you just aren’t interested in finding out what happens next and what happens to the characters. WHO CARES was the resounding answer for me with this comic unfortunately. This is the worst comic I have read in a very long time.
3 Stars It was entertaining enough, but…
Ultimately not a very satisfying or good story. It was spurred along by random cool gimmicks and ideas, but in the end I think that was all it was. The parts were greater than the whole. I won’t be buying volume two unless Way comes up with an even cuter instrument of world destruction.
Ok, maybe that was a bit too harsh. It was a great start and had it’s moments. I just think the story would have benefitted alot if he fabricated the plot a bit more seriously and thoroughly in certain parts. I’d upgrade my review four stars if it let me.
Filed under: Top Graphic Novels