In “Starlight” #1, Mark Millar teams up with Goran Parlov to tell the tale of science hero Duke McQueen. The result is about as far from “Kick-Ass” as you can get.
Written by Mark Millar
Illustrated by Goran ParlovForty years ago, Duke McQueen was the space hero who saved the universe. But then he came back home, got married, had kids, and grew old. Now his children have left and his wife has passed away, leaving him alone with nothing except his memories…until a call comes from a distant world asking him back for his final and greatest adventure. This issue launches the much-anticipated Millarworld Universe. Get in on the start of something MASSIVE
“Starlight” #1 may be the *modified quote* “launch of the much-anticipated Millarworld Universe,” but you wouldn’t know it from reading it. There’s no (apparent) ties to any of Millar’s past work, and no obvious hints to any of his upcoming endeavors. “Starlight” is not the must read genesis to a shiny new fictional shared universe.
It is, however, a must read.
Duke McQueen is a good old-fashioned world hopping science hero in the vein of Flash Gordon or Adam Strange. Or at least, he was. The air force test pilot made his way back home, where he started a family. Cutting back and forth between his golden days as a cosmic swashbuckler and his more mundane present, Millar and Parlov depict that sci-fi muscle man that is surprisingly down to earth.
The story begins with a funeral. This event marks the slow decay of McQueen’s life, the loss of everything he loves and values. Intercut with this stark reality of despair are flashbacks to halcyon days, times spend deposing tyrants, flying dragons, and wooing princesses.
At several points in the issue I was reminded of Up. The comparison isn’t perfect, but much as that film’s emotional whirlwind of an opening established Carl’s immense love and loss, “Starlight” quickly portrays just how important his wife was to him. While the flashback scenes on Tantalus provide the starkest contrast with Duke’s current existence, it’s the few looks at his life with Joanne that show just how much he has truly lost.
It’s possible that the Pixar association also stems from Goran Parlov’s bright, energetic artwork. Known primarily for his work on gritty titles like “Punisher” and “Fury MAX,” Parlov transitions to lighter fare with fantastic ease. Even more impressive his ability to transition between the vibrant alien world of Tantalus and unremarkable trips to a grocery store. Regardless of setting or world, colorist Ive Svorcina makes everything pop with stunning neon colors.
Parlov’s greatest achievement is definitely the depiction of Duke McQueen. Both old and young, McQueen is a hulking figure chiseled from stone, with square block chin, strong brow, and wide bridged nose. He’s mythologic hero from both ancient Greece and 1930’s pulp magazines. Parlov works these stone hewn features into a surprising range of emotions; despondence, sorrow, exuberance, despair, astonishment. However, it all comes down to the eyes, which Svorcina smartly colors a striking blue, standing out from the peach skin and aged white hair.
“Starlight” #1 isn’t by any stretch a game changer. Like most of Millar’s works, the book puts a twist on tried and true comic trope. In this case, it’s “Flash Gordon meets ‘Dark Knight Returns.'” However, as this opening issue focuses more on the characters than the plot itself, it feels delightfully fresh. The issue is primarily set up for the inevitable call to the stars, heralding the action packed adventure that will carry the series through five more issues, but it’s certainly set-up done well. “Starlight” #1 is a beautiful little title, both in plot and style, and definitely one you should check out.
Final Verdict: 8.2 – Buy
