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A review by midici
The Umbrella Academy, Vol. 1: Apocalypse Suite by Gerard Way
3.0
*3.5 stars
Full disclosure - I binge-watched this on Netflix before running out to the nearest book store and grabbing the first two volumes. I'm not sure if I would have thought to try reading this comic series if not for the show.
The first volume has a lot in common with the first season of the show, but with more. More action, more drama, more villains and an insight into some background they haven't touched on in the show yet.
I liked the spirit of it - this dysfunctional family of people with abilities, brought together by their father's death, trying to deal with the end of the world. The comic is a lot more strange and out there, and the characters don't necessarily use their powers in the same way. Where this first volume goes wide, showing a whole world with its own rules and dangers, the show goes deep. I think that makes a lot of sense. You want your comics to be creative and strange and interesting and fast - but I loved getting to really know the characters in the show, the slowed down introspective of each person, and more information on how they relate to each other.
A few comparison thoughts: Sir Reginald is somehow even more of a terrible person in the comic books. Klaus has much better control and is less damaged (it seems). Rumor's power of suggestion doesn't just affect people - it affects reality itself, which is much more powerful. It's hard to tell in the comic where Vanya's powers start and the experimentation begins. Luthor is both worse off (in terms of body issues) and much better at leading a team in the comic. Diego is a smug asshole in both show and comic, but I'm not sure how the code name Kraken comes in yet - I fully thought they were talking about Ben at first but he gets the codename the Horror instead, which, rude. Five is just as insane as he is in the show. Not nearly enough time-traveling assassins.
Full disclosure - I binge-watched this on Netflix before running out to the nearest book store and grabbing the first two volumes. I'm not sure if I would have thought to try reading this comic series if not for the show.
The first volume has a lot in common with the first season of the show, but with more. More action, more drama, more villains and an insight into some background they haven't touched on in the show yet.
I liked the spirit of it - this dysfunctional family of people with abilities, brought together by their father's death, trying to deal with the end of the world. The comic is a lot more strange and out there, and the characters don't necessarily use their powers in the same way. Where this first volume goes wide, showing a whole world with its own rules and dangers, the show goes deep. I think that makes a lot of sense. You want your comics to be creative and strange and interesting and fast - but I loved getting to really know the characters in the show, the slowed down introspective of each person, and more information on how they relate to each other.
A few comparison thoughts: Sir Reginald is somehow even more of a terrible person in the comic books. Klaus has much better control and is less damaged (it seems). Rumor's power of suggestion doesn't just affect people - it affects reality itself, which is much more powerful. It's hard to tell in the comic where Vanya's powers start and the experimentation begins. Luthor is both worse off (in terms of body issues) and much better at leading a team in the comic. Diego is a smug asshole in both show and comic, but I'm not sure how the code name Kraken comes in yet - I fully thought they were talking about Ben at first but he gets the codename the Horror instead, which, rude. Five is just as insane as he is in the show. Not nearly enough time-traveling assassins.