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Strange Adventures #1 Review

Writer: Tom King
Artists: Mitch Gerads & Evan “Doc” Shaner
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Covers: Mitch Gerads & Evan “Doc” Shaner

Who is Adam Strange? A hero? War criminal? Neither? Both? These questions drive Tom King’s latest post-modern deconstruction of the superhero genre. In the midst of a promotional book tour for his new wartime memoir, Strange finds himself at the center of a murder mystery where he is the prime suspect. Has the savior of Rann finally cracked? Or are there more sinister forces at work? A surprise, last-minute addition to the cast may have the answers. King is in his element here, taking full advantage of the miniseries format to tell a tight, suspenseful story about a lesser-known member of DC’s cosmic cast.

As for the art, this is one of the most gorgeous books on the shelves. Mitch Gerads, of Mister Miracle acclaim, once again joins King for a deeply human experience. His facial work is second to none, elegantly capturing the nuance of each emotionally charged scene. There’s a grittiness in his work that makes every panel feel perfectly grounded, even as a man soars across the sky with a jetpack. 

While Gerads handles the earthbound scenes, Doc Shaner delivers all the color-popping, cosmic action you would expect from a Silver Age staple. Shaner’s lines are strikingly clean, presenting every scene in perfect detail. In many ways, Gerads and Shaner are the perfect foils, each playing to their respective strengths to build something that feels simultaneously steeped in both realism and fantasy. The result is a must-read comic that promises to be one of the year’s best.

Review by Harrison Stewart

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Mysteries of Love in Space Review

Space is a common theme in the DC Universe with adventures stretching from Sector 2814 to the Phantom Zone. But the beloved heroes are no stranger to love with iconic couples such as Clark and Lois, Bruce and Selina, and Diana and Steve.

 

Just a few weeks shy of Valentine’s Day, DC has released an eight story one shot anthology, Mysteries of Love in Space. Seven of the tales are new features, but the final entry is an encore printing of a classic Adam Strange story.

 

Despite the brevity of the featured stories, each one is familiar in a way that speaks to anyone who has ever been in love. Featuring both new and well-known characters that are staples to the DC universe, some of the tales are tender and heartwarming, others doleful accounts of manipulation and heartbreak. Reading through the narratives will draw a smirk and then a sigh as you sympathize with godlike and extraterrestrial beings struggling to cope with very human emotions.

 

The art for the volume is a more realistic style with the characters drawn in a way that feels natural for conveying expressions and body language. The Adam Strange encore story features the art styles that is typical to early silver age comics.

This issue is an enjoyable read showcasing out of this world adventures with relationships and connections that are down to earth.