Reviews

Dynamo 5, Volume 1: Post-Nuclear Family by Jay Faerber

wyrmdog's review against another edition

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3.0

So rather than review each volume (there are 5), I'll just review this one.

Not a lot to say other than I liked the setup a lot. The characters are fun but not astounding and the action sequences seem like they're building to something more.

Obviously the character relationships are what make this book shine and it really seems to finally hit its stride about the time the team falls apart and the Firebirds (or should that be singular? a mother-daughter team with the same powers using the same name) are introduced. That's when secrets really start coming out and the action gets thick and fun. The character roster expands and diversifies and really improves the series.

I have to admit to not liking the change at the end of the 4th volume. For a book that prides itself on being about family relationships as well as superheroics, I expected it to pay a bit more attention to the psychological fallout of that change, yet everyone just adapts and acts like it's no big deal. Bridget (coincidentally my favorite) is the only one that really spends more than an offhand comment on it and even then adapts far better than I would have expected. I suspect that there was more to the change than the author was able to give us, though, and if he'd had time, would have explored at least part of it.

At any rate, it's fun to see the tie-ins with the Nobles and Invincible and the Savage Dragon's kids in the 5th volume and overall, I really appreciate what Faerber and company tried to do with this book.

Heavier than Takio, lighter than Invincible, Dynamo 5 is a fun book that didn't last nearly long enough.

jalapenyokai's review against another edition

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3.0

Excellent artwork and an interesting story. The characters are original and believable. Though this was my first image comic, the setting felt familiar and the world inviting. I will certainly continue following dynamo 5's journeys.

theemberland's review against another edition

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3.0

Entertaining, with interesting and sympathetic characters. However, the scene changes are pretty abrupt, and the action sequences sometimes feel like a few frames are missing.

squidbag's review

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4.0

For what this is, this is awesome. It's not going to great depth, it's not probing continuity. Dynamo 5 tells you what it is right on the cover - it's a dynamic, action-oriented approach to superhero storytelling that is unburdened by a need to do anything more than tell a good superhero story. The 5 are five illegitimate children of Captain Dynamo, a recently deceased and seriously unfaithful superguy. The half-sibling element kills what might have been ponderous romantic tension, while their stranger relationship makes their team-building and maintenance interesting. Nice, clean art and forward storytelling.
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