JUPITER’S LEGACY VOL 2 #1 Review

Writer/Co-Creator:  Mark Millar
Artist/Co-Creator:  Frank Quitely
Letters/Design/Production:  Peter Doherty
Colors:  Sunny Gho
Digital Art Assist:  Rob Miller
Score: 4 out of 5

Jupiter’s Legacy was my first introduction to a Mark Millar comic. By the time Millar had made a name for himself at Marvel and DC Comics, I had given up comics for college. Studying and making new friends took precedence over reading the stories of superheroes.

When I returned to comics and started following news sites, interviews and press for Jupiter’s Legacy were starting to be released. Then issue one came out and even with a slow burn, it was a compelling story of super powered individuals in a generation gap with quality art from Frank Quitely.

The only drawback for me was the delays between issues. Months would go by and I would forget what happened from issue to issue. Eventually, I never finished the first volume.

Fast forward to last week, when comiXology offered volume one for FREE! I spent an hour reading the entire volume and eagerly anticipated starting volume two. Reading the story in one sitting helped greatly.

I love when comics utilize recap pages. Especially when its been awhile since the last release. Readers are caught up our main cast of Brandon, Walter, Chloe, Hutch and Jason. The inclusion of panel art from Quitely is an added bonus.

In the first volume, we learned that Hutch is the son of George, one of the individuals who gained powers on a mysterious island. George and Sheldon were friends but apparently had a falling out that was depicted in the prelude series Jupiter’s Circle. After seeing Hutch as a slacking young adult in volume one, it was a nice contrast to see him as a sweet kid who learned who his father is. And eagle-eyed readers will notice that adult Hutch in the future is wearing the same colored shirt as in the flashback.

I’m almost ashamed to admit that I wasn’t a fan of Frank Quitely’s art style when I saw it in volume one. But his grizzled line work has grown on me. He illustrates spectacular backgrounds with full scenery included. An example of this is the Supermax prison where Brandon and Walter hold their prisoners.

There’s something to a story where the “heroes” turn evil and it’s up to a gang of criminals to bring them down. Chloe, Hutch, and their son Jason jaunt off on an Oceans 11-style recruitment drive. My favorite and the most humorous member might be Jack Frost. Just for the visual of him sunbathing in Antarctica.

The cliffhanger for issue one has me excited to see Jason throw down with the mysterious Raikou.

Timdogg

#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE