Max Ride: First Flight

Max Ride: First Flight #1-5

by Marguerite Bennett

Collects Max Ride: First Flight #1-5.

Acclaimed author James Patterson's New York Times-bestselling series gets a mighty Marvel makeover! Follow the high-flying adventures of Max and her extraordinary "flock" - Fang, Iggy, Nudge, Gasman and Angel - as they try to escape their creators and defend themselves from the diabolical Erasers. Along the way Max discovers her purpose: saving the world! But can she? And where is that mysterious voice in Max's head coming from? As the Flock find themselves in New York City with the Erasers close on their heels, their past may catch up with their future - and destroy it! Max and the Flock get closer to uncovering their past, but is it all just a game of entrapment? And when they finally find the answers they've been searching for, are some secrets better left unlearned?

Genres: Graphic Novels, Comics, Young Adult, Fantasy, Action, Graphic Novels Comics

127 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 29, 2015

Reviews

[Angelina · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5; Not terrible.

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When I first heard about this, I steamed. For one, I'm a DC girl. Secondly, because Maximum Ride already had a (imo GREAT) graphic novel adaptation in NaRae Lee's Maximum Ride: The Manga. I thought to do another adaptation was a knife to the back to her and her fantastic work.

So I bought the first issue with apprehension.

In terms of storyline, it's average. Perhaps I'm not giving Bennet her dues and I'm missing the point of the adaptation, but the plot is lifted almost line by line from the book but lacks the cohesiveness and voice that the novel contains. Plagued by lots of boring exposition rather, it lacks the fluency of the manga, jumps too quickly in the plot, and doesn't really connect me to the characters. The story is redeemable in its quick-witted charm during character interactions, but the clever dialogue is a tad overshadowed by the flaws.

As for the art, well-- the covers are fantastic, undeniably so, but the inking and coloring appears to get lazier? as the story goes on. The cover is not representative of the actual content. It is clear that the artist does better with large static panels than with action strips and numerous small panels. Though I commend the artists wholeheartedly, I cannot feel that they were not exactly suited for this type of story. Max Ride needs to be more dynamic- with clear lines and the ability to capture motion.

Also, as a sidenote, this is a terrible subjective opinion of me, but none of them look like I imagined them to at all. This is mostly because of

1. Max has red hair.
2. So does Iggy? And freckles?
3. Their wings are itty-bitty-teeny-tiny and not like the 12 foot wingspans described in the novel at all.
4. Ari has three eyes?
5. They have a HOLLOW in their spine that their wings go in to. Which is really freaky. *trembles in fear*

But all that being said. I'm glad I bought it.

I never thought I'd say it, but I am. And I'll say it again.

I AM

It isn't terrible. As of right now, they've come out with three issues and I've read all three. It doesn't knock me out of my socks or anything, but it's better than what Max has been forced into recently. And most of all, it makes me think that maybe, just maybe I can learn to love Maximum Ride again.

Those who know me, know my position on Maximum Ride.

The book series. Wow. I get angry just thinking about it. I grew up on Maximum Ride. It used to be one of my favorites. But then, the last books came. It ripped my guts out, and not in a "ohmyfeels" way, but in a horror movie slasher film way that left me distrustful of all YA books ever. And maybe I got overly emotionally invested in this franchise, but gosh dang, I felt betrayed. I hated Max. I hated her story. I stopped rereading her books. I posted an angry review on Maximum Ride Forever.

But in the beginning, I loved Max.

It's silly, but I thought I would give her another chance with this book. And I'm glad I did, because this book gives me the Max I love. Yeah, her hair is a different color (but it's not like James Patterson was any good with that either). Yeah, her wings are... different. But Marguerite Bennett and her book stays true to the Max.

(pun, but Gazzy would approve.)


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TLDR; Though this reviewer thinks it is not the best Max Ride graphic novel adaptation in the world and that the writing and art are unspectacular, she was pleased that it stayed faithful to the original novel and the characters. She recommends it to anyone who is tired of reading the books and being disappointed, but still loves Max. She would still recommend the Manga instead Maximum Ride: The Manga and she is still not reading Max Ride Forever.

[Alyssa · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like a lot of things about this book
- the art
- the dialogue
There was a lot of plot holes
If you hadn't read the novels first you probably wouldn't understand
The characters didn't have their personalities
It jump around a lot
They skipped a lot of mandatory parts
They only went into the basic plot

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent, overall! I didn't know if I'd like this retelling or not, but it is fantastic. Definitely a Marvel twist to the already wonderful Maximum Ride series. What was disappointing for me was: A few missing details that really made the original story pop, like Ari being a child forced to grow up into an adult Eraser. Maybe this was for the best, as that detail is rather disturbing among the other gruelling details of the story. And, most notably, the art, while gorgeous, gets so messy in some places that the characters don't look like themselves. Messy is ok, that's the style, but not to the extent the last couple pages of issue. 5 reach... So, overall, I still give this a solid 4/5 stars! Recommended for avid, occasional, and new fans of MR alike!

[L ✨ · Rating 2 out of 5]

my 13 year old shelf has left the chat

I don't understand how they came up with a strong concept art and then do this. And they changed everything that made the plot interesting/unique. Also I don't think people who haven't read the books will understand what's going on

[James · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good artwork and very similar to the manga that I read. The names are a bit weak but that's science fiction for you sometimes.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although not as good as the actual novel this was still a fun book to read. Loved getting the visual for the story and reminiscing over my favourite characters. Love this series!

[Stacey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Max Ride, if you haven't heard of her, you're missing out. Six winged kids dumpster diving to stay alive, and you read that right. Wings. Experiments that escaped; these characters grow way beyond their roots and into your imagination, heart, or whatever dramatic insert here.
So. Well. Marvel. I had no inkling they were doing this. Wow. I mean there's already a Max Ride graphic novel (honestly that one is more of a magna), but I never expected Marvel to get behind this. So I picked it up and skimmed through it. I love Marvel, I really do. If I could I'd be in line for every midnight showing I could, but matinees just sound so much better to my wallet.
My problems with this:
(1) It's not Max's story. Yes. I know, don't compare different books, etc. But I had no idea, I thought I was picking up Max's story. That it'd be my Flock that I'd see. It wasn't and I might have been okay with it (since Patterson loses track of the story later). The biggest problem was that the outlines of the Angel Experiment was there. The big plot points happened...with a twist. And I couldn't figure out why. It's like looking at a picture of you. It's not the face you see in the mirror but it's so familiar it's tantalizing. I'd settle in for a new take on Max and the Flock and all of a sudden be confused and think, "Wait, that changed." And it changed for no reason. Sometimes only to put Marvel's sci-fi stamp on things.
(2) The wings. I've just read too much Max for the wings to work for me. I've always seen these gorgeous, huge wings on my favorite characters. Something similar to the birds they got their 2% from, but the tiny little mechanical things on these character's backs just seemed wrong.
(3) Iggy's freckles
Yeah, well, good luck to this series. Because I'm probably not going further.

[Nadine in NY Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bought issue 2 of this new comic book series for my tween, (who had recently asked me to get the manga series from the library for her), then I sat down and read it myself. This is my first experience with Maximum Ride, having read neither the books nor the manga series, so I came to it with zero preconceptions. And I thought it was pretty good!

Apparently in issue 1, Max and her pals are on the run from the bad guys, The Erasers, and Max is distracted by a bullying incident she sees between some kids - she intervenes, and is shot. In issue 2, she recovers at the home of the girl she defended; meanwhile Max's superhuman pals wonder what happened to her. The Erasers show up, and they are definitely scary looking. Artwork is very "Marvel," which is not my favorite style, but might make a nice intro into comics for my 12 yo daughter. Story is interesting, characters feel real, and there is no cursing, sex, sexy outfits, or gratuitous violence (although it's creepy as hell). Characters look to be tween and teen age, and both male and female characters express apprehension and have steel backbones (not literally. ... Well, maybe they do! But I meant the figurative sense.). Everyone contributes ideas on how to survive. I like it!

Now I'm just wishing my daughter would read it!

[Ron Turner · Rating 1 out of 5]

I haven't read the books. I checked this out to see what they were like. I came out of it highly irritated. I can see why James Patterson gets such grief. Nothing is original. He comes across an idea, farms it out to contract writers to develop, then slaps his name on it and collects all the fame and fortune. Why waste your time on such empty, manufactured dreck when there's so many better options out there.

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautifully re-imagined by the comic geniuses at Marvel. Somewhat follows the basis of TAE, and all characters are included (and yes they offer an explanation for the wings everyone hates). I can honestly say that as a fan of the series for nearly 7 years I am thrilled by this publication and look forward to the rest of the run! The variant edition is pretty neat too!

[Hayli · Rating 2 out of 5]

The story line differs from the original which is kind of nice since it doesn't mirror the graphic novels and the books. And the story line seemed kind of jumpy to me. Though I am not a fan of the art style. The art at the end of the book, alternative covers and character designs, was really cool. Looks like Max Ride Ultimate Flight has another art style. Excited for that.

[Hanneleele · Rating 4 out of 5]

Otsutasin lugeda, mida Marguerite Bennett veel kirjutanud on, kuna selline hea koomiksituju on. Maximum Ride'i ja selle varasemat koomiksivarianti lugesin teismelisena. Nii et nostalgiline, kuigi kunstistiililt täiesti teistsugune (ja mulle päris meeldib võrreldes n-ö klassikalise koomiksistiiliga).

Kobe noortekas.
Kõik #1-5 loetud.

[Jacob · Rating 2 out of 5]

Public library copy.

I'm only familiar with this series from the Manga adaptations, which are up to volume 8, I think. This adaptation was fine, but I thought the art was a much distant second to the writing.

[Meagan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Same storyline as the book series, so that was accurate.
Rated lower because I was not a fan of the art style at all... And I have previously read the manga for the Maximum Ride series and it was much better. The comics of this series were a bit of a let down.

[Jen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The art was beautiful, even if I didn't quite agree with the adaptation of the wings (but I'm not James Patterson or his editorial team, who would be of more authority than I). This was a pretty slim volume that took a little for granted that you (reader) was familiar with the original stories.

[Gina · Rating 3 out of 5]

being it's only the first book, I can't really tell if I like it a whole lot. I mean, I got involved but I feel like I haven't gotten a good intro to the story yet. I think I read it in 5 minutes.

[Laly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mehhh, not a big fan of the changes in the wings nor the weird art style but it kept okay with the plot. Hopefully the novels will get better with time,

[Sarah Kalaitzidis · Rating 1 out of 5]

Only thing i liked about this comic was that it followed the story line. Otherwise the artwork is so badly done I couldn't stand reading it. It was sloppy and no effort at all.

[Frances Peterson · Rating 1 out of 5]

I didn't think that it was a good version of the series at all. Too much of the book was different. I also could not stand there wings.

[Michele C. · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was shocked that my kids HATED this. They all adore the manga and the novels. I didn't read it myself, but thought the artwork was really nice! Totally surprised.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I kinda like the Narae Lee version better but this is ok.

[kerrycat · Rating 3 out of 5]

The wings - no.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

it wasn't even close to the actual series but still very enjoyable to read.