Star #4 was one of my favorite issues of that week, dropping Thanos’ most tried and true killers on the heads of Captain Marvel and Star. It also had some of the most fun superhero dialogue you’ll ever read. Kelly Thompson wraps up the Star miniseries this week while also writing a good Black Order comic in the process. Much like any great tale, this one has a feeling that much more is to come.
This issue opens with the Black Order figuring out their plan, which leads them to Earth. It’s nice to see the often ignored lesser-known members getting a moment to chime in. This team acts and talks like more of a brotherhood between characters than thoughtless drones of Thanos. This pays off later in the issue when Star must make a tough choice.
Speaking of Star, this issue gives us more flashbacks with the character, revealing the screwed up life she’s had being bullied and tormented. I was worried this was a means to explain her evil, but Thompson gets around that with some words of wisdom from Captain Marvel. This issue, and the series really, solidifies the fact that Star is an interesting villain with a chance at redemption, but maybe she doesn’t want that. It’s a unique character who will likely offer another write the chance to tell a different kind of heroic story. I’m excited for more thanks to what Thompson has laid out here.
Marvel Comics
The art by Javier Pina and Filipe Andrade is good, featuring the various powers and characters in distinguishing ways. There’s a translucency effect that works well here too. Props must be given to a key flashback for Star which uses creative lettering to convey the utter hell she went through throughout her life. Jesus Aburtov colors the book, distinguishing flashbacks well with the scenes that place in the now. The final two pages especially felt badass as hell, like the scene where Neo enters the phonebooth in The Matrix. You may want to play some rock music while she walks towards the reader.
This is a good ending to a series that further proves Star needs to exist and continue on in the Marvel universe. Thompson and company have done an excellent job making me want to learn more about this character and see her change and evolve. She’s a complex character that may not make the same choices as the heroes, but that’s sort of the point.
Star #5 is a digital-first release, but you can order it on Amazon right now.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
You must be logged in to post a comment.