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geekwayne's review against another edition
3.0
When adventurer Nick Collins is arrested, he decides to tell the story behind the Mystery Society. He's been caught breaking in to Area 51 to rescue an experiment. Meanwhile his lover Anastasia has been recruiting new members to the team, a robot with Jules Verne's brain and a dead girl. Throw in government conspiracies and the missing skull of Edgar Allan Poe, and you've got a good setup.
It's all got a hip devil-may-care vibe. It worked for me, but that laid back attitude, and the fact that the team always finds a way out of every situation with apparent ease, leaves the book lacking tension. There are likeable enough characters, and strange situations.
The art by Fiona Staples is a treat with robots, skulls and a main color scheme of blue-green and orange, which gives everything a cool tone. It had kind of a 1970s feel to it. I wish there had been more tension, but there is definitely room for more books in the series.
It's all got a hip devil-may-care vibe. It worked for me, but that laid back attitude, and the fact that the team always finds a way out of every situation with apparent ease, leaves the book lacking tension. There are likeable enough characters, and strange situations.
The art by Fiona Staples is a treat with robots, skulls and a main color scheme of blue-green and orange, which gives everything a cool tone. It had kind of a 1970s feel to it. I wish there had been more tension, but there is definitely room for more books in the series.
n1c_c's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
onespaceymother's review
3.0
Can Fiona Staples just illustrate everything forever? Beautiful art, always. Only complaint is that often her characters look the same across books. Like several of these faces reminded me of faces from Saga.
This has a very spy movie, man/woman of mystery air about it which is super fun. I didn’t love it as much as I expected to, but certainly still enjoyed myself.
This has a very spy movie, man/woman of mystery air about it which is super fun. I didn’t love it as much as I expected to, but certainly still enjoyed myself.
britt2013fb's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book!
[b:Mystery Society|8544986|Mystery Society|Steve Niles|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1396963525s/8544986.jpg|13412786]
This book was interesting from start to end (:
5 stars all the way for me! I defiantly look forward to reading some more of Mystery Society books!!!!
[b:Mystery Society|8544986|Mystery Society|Steve Niles|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1396963525s/8544986.jpg|13412786]
This book was interesting from start to end (:
5 stars all the way for me! I defiantly look forward to reading some more of Mystery Society books!!!!
ladyheroj's review against another edition
4.0
This was an impulse buy. The spine somehow caught my eye as I was wandering through a local discount comic book store, and as soon as I saw Fiona Staples' name, it was off the shelf and in my hands.
And the art does not let down, at all. I loved the chance to see some pre-Saga work of Staples. The style in Mystery Society is more "sketchy" and the colors more muted, but it has all her signature imaginative flair which is what a story like Mystery Society needs.
But the story...I will say much the same as others have said in their reviews before me. It lacks tension and depth. It's fun, but it lacks that something to make it great. Perhaps it is the lack of focus that keeps this novel from really "clicking". The characters (at least those in the Society) are fantastic. Nick and Ana are a wonderful couple, the twins are adorable, Secret Skull is badass, and Verne is...interesting. But the story splits into the main plot, a lackluster conspiracy theory with Nick, Ana, and the girls, and into the subplot of Skull and Verne retrieving Poe's stolen skull. The villians in both are weak in personality and motive, and the subplot doesn't get the attention it deserves to have with characters like Skull and Verne. Nor does it tie in to the main plot, which I wouldn't have minded if there was simply more of Mystery Society. But as it's a limited five-issue series, it can't really get away with having a "filler" plot-line. (Although the 2013 special included in this volume shows that there is potential for this group of oddball characters to keep having adventures.)
I would recommend Mystery Society for the art, and for the wonderful main characters, even if the story does hinder their potential from being fully realized.
And the art does not let down, at all. I loved the chance to see some pre-Saga work of Staples. The style in Mystery Society is more "sketchy" and the colors more muted, but it has all her signature imaginative flair which is what a story like Mystery Society needs.
But the story...I will say much the same as others have said in their reviews before me. It lacks tension and depth. It's fun, but it lacks that something to make it great. Perhaps it is the lack of focus that keeps this novel from really "clicking". The characters (at least those in the Society) are fantastic. Nick and Ana are a wonderful couple, the twins are adorable, Secret Skull is badass, and Verne is...interesting. But the story splits into the main plot, a lackluster conspiracy theory with Nick, Ana, and the girls, and into the subplot of Skull and Verne retrieving Poe's stolen skull. The villians in both are weak in personality and motive, and the subplot doesn't get the attention it deserves to have with characters like Skull and Verne. Nor does it tie in to the main plot, which I wouldn't have minded if there was simply more of Mystery Society. But as it's a limited five-issue series, it can't really get away with having a "filler" plot-line. (Although the 2013 special included in this volume shows that there is potential for this group of oddball characters to keep having adventures.)
I would recommend Mystery Society for the art, and for the wonderful main characters, even if the story does hinder their potential from being fully realized.
ericbuscemi's review against another edition
5.0
This book was made just for me. It's about a mystery super-team that solves paranormal cases, complete with supernatural allies, secret hide-outs and high tech gadgets, and references Area 51, Jules Verne and Edgar Allen Poe. Sign me up.
This graphic novel -- which on top of everything else, was beautifully drawn -- is the perfect blend of [b:The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen|297627|The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1|Alan Moore|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327894724s/297627.jpg|797], [b:The Losers|7688925|The Losers Omnibus, Vol. 1|Andy Diggle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320535120s/7688925.jpg|10351208], Scooby Doo, The X-Files, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So, if that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, well then you've been warned. Otherwise, maybe this is made just for you, too. I only hope there will be more than this five-issue mini-series, because all it's done is whet my appetite for more.
This graphic novel -- which on top of everything else, was beautifully drawn -- is the perfect blend of [b:The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen|297627|The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, Vol. 1|Alan Moore|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327894724s/297627.jpg|797], [b:The Losers|7688925|The Losers Omnibus, Vol. 1|Andy Diggle|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1320535120s/7688925.jpg|10351208], Scooby Doo, The X-Files, and Buffy the Vampire Slayer. So, if that doesn't sound like your cup of tea, well then you've been warned. Otherwise, maybe this is made just for you, too. I only hope there will be more than this five-issue mini-series, because all it's done is whet my appetite for more.
bengriffin's review against another edition
3.0
I liked Fiona Staples art on this, I liked some of the character ideas and designs, and remember it being a fun quick read and having potential if it continued, but I also remember it being a bit cheesy and don't remember much about the plot. Probably worth your time if you come across it but not worth seeking out in a hurry.
amanova's review against another edition
3.0
I really like Fiona Staples' art. Fun story. Jules is awesome.
rebeccarennerfl's review against another edition
5.0
I love Fiona Staples artwork. And the plot/character design in this is not as bad as people seem to be complaining. I would totally read another one of these if I could find it.