It’s the Glories’ first day of school, and they’ve already landed themselves in detention! Now, anywhere else that might just mean the start of a bad year, but they’re about to find out when you’re enrolled at Morning Glory Academy, corporal punishment takes on a whole new–and deadly–meaning!
The most hotly anticipated new series of the summer continues! It’s RUNAWAYS meets LOST from the writer of FORGETLESS and SHUDDERTOWN!
What did we at Multiversity think of Image’s hot new ongoing series? Find out after the cut!
Matt’s Thoughts: With it’s second issue out, Morning Glories is readily set to be Image Comics next big thing. The last time I reviewed this book, I gave it a solid 8 and called it a strong start. This time, I bump the book higher up and would like to share with you a nice, big ol’ thumbs up.
In the second issue of Morning Glories, we’re thrown right in the thick of it. Where the first issue was all about introductions and mysterious goings on, the second issue finds our “heroes” (if they can be called that) right at the verge of death as their first “lesson” begins. It’s an intense sequence juxtaposed with a series of flashbacks, culminating in a rather odd and mysterious final page. This issue played off much more intriguing than the first issue in my mind. I enjoyed the introduction issue quite a good deal, but I find that this issue – which really puts you in the thick of it – to be even more exciting. I was wondering if the book would be a slow build to the “weirdness” (and perhaps the cover was a metaphor), but no. Spencer and Eisma want Morning Glory Academy to be a frightening trap of a place right from the beginning, and they’re getting just that done.
You can really tell Spencer has a good deal for his characters here. I’ve read other things by him and not enjoyed the writing as much, but here the individual characterization shines. Each character has very clear motives and inspiration for their actions, and it’s played off very well. In the midst of drowning, someone is referencing Star Wars: A New Hope? Count me in. It’s a mixture of dark humor and action with this issue, and it’s a read that I really found myself excited to pick up and anxious for the next issue when finished. It all adds to the general mysterious air of Morning Glory Academy, which really seems like the last place I’d ever want to send my child.
Eisma continues to be an absolute star in the art department. I loved the way the first issue looked, but here is getting even better. Filled with action and a fast sense of urgency, Eisma’s artwork translates incredibly well storywise. We have several different sequences, with each flashback not making very much sense. However, the way Eisma draws each gives each it’s own feeling, making the interconnectivity of the story more fluid. The Alphona comparison I alluded to still sticks, and the book very much deserves it’s Runaways comparison with Eisma on board.
While I enjoyed the first issue, I was still rather unsure as if I was a full convert to Morning Glories or not yet. With this issue, I definitely get a better feel for the book, and can only say this: the first issue should have been Book of the Week as well.
David’s Thoughts: I’ll start with the front and work my way back as to why I’m loving this book.
The cover sets the tone from the very beginning, establishing one of the key plot pieces of the book as well as acting as a straight metaphor for the main characters: they are in deep water. Rodin Esquejo, quite like his counterparts Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma, is a creator I was not very familiar with before hand. Yet just two issues in and I am completely convinced that this guy isn’t just a star in the making, but a star now. This is a gorgeous cover, filled with exquisite character models, emotive faces, and just phenomenal execution and detail. It seems that successful high minded books often are paired with a singular cover artist for the bulk of their runs, and I have faith that Esquejo is starting off a run quite similar to James Jean’s on Fables or Jock’s on Scalped.
Continued belowNick Spencer, the architect and writer of this series, does an exceptional job of quickly developing the identities of the characters in this book. I think that is the most important aspect of the book so far and that Spencer handled the first two issues pretty flawlessly. We know that this school that all of the children have been roped into is sordid and dangerous – that curtain will be pulled back eventually. But for that to matter, we need to care about these characters and their relationships need to be moving forward in a way that indicates they will compliment each other. Spencer has killed it in that regard already, as Casey has quickly developed into a wonderful lead, Ike is a standout in terms of brutal hilarity, Jun is the clubhouse leader for mysterious, and the rest has also excelled throughout. I’m loving the main cast, and Spencer has even managed to give the cruel teachers a bit of personality in the process.
While I adored his character work and his pacing and the plotting, the only gaffes I would say is how well all of the students seemed to handle their situations and the fact that the characters themselves are great – but I can never remember their names. The latter problem is very easy to resolve – the credits page on the inside front cover? Include the characters names next to their picture. Boom. Done. The former is more complex…sure, Jade freaks a bit, but does it make sense that the emotive Hunter seems to take everything so casually? It seems a bit off to me. The rest of the characters seemingly react well, but Hunter felt off to me.
Joe Eisma is a damn solid artist, and one who acts as an excellent collaborator with Spencer in terms of storytelling. He’s got a real eye for selling scenes and using small mannerisms to really develop characters visually. Each character and their respective moods and actions feel unique and identifiable, and that says a lot about the thought Eisma puts into his work. I’d say my one complaint about the book is how plain backgrounds are, but that could easily be related to the fact the kids are in a private school, a type of institution that isn’t exactly known for being visually vibrant.
This book had a stunning debut, and the follow up issue followed suit. This is without a doubt one of the most exciting book launches in recent memory, and I for one can’t wait to see where Team Morning Glories takes us.
Gil’s Thoughts: Hold on, he’s thinking!
