Star Slammers

Marvel Graphic Novel #6

by Walter Simonson

Once upon a time, there was a race of men who could out-shoot, out-fight, and out-kill anybody. They were paid fabulous sums to act as mercenaries. The practice became so lucrative, they decided to go into business. They became the most successful businessmen in history, and they called themselves... The Star Slammers.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Science Fiction, Marvel, Comic Book

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1983

About the author

Walt Simonson is an American comic book writer and artist, best known for a run on Marvel Comics' Thor from 1983 to 1987, during which he created the character Beta Ray Bill. He is also known for the creator-owned work Star Slammers, which he inaugurated in 1972 as a Rhode Island School of Design thesis. He has also worked on other Marvel titles such as X-Factor and Fantastic Four, on DC Comics books including Detective Comics, Manhunter, Metal Men and Orion, and on licensed properties such as Star Wars, Alien, Battlestar Galactica and Robocop vs. Terminator.

He is married to comics writer Louise Simonson, with whom he collaborated as penciller on X-Factor from 1988 to 1989, and with whom he made a cameo appearance in the 2011 Thor feature film.

Reviews

[Bookwraiths · Rating 3 out of 5]

Originally reviewed at Bookwraiths Reviews

I have to start this review by admitting two, very important things.

One, I love Walter Simonson’s work. Nothing objective about it, I just love the man’s comics.

Two, I have never been able to warm up to space opera comics or their ilk. Can’t explain it.

So what does that mean, you ask?

Well, obviously, something is about to hit the fan with this review.

Walter Simonson probably described Star Slammers best when he said: “Once upon a time, there was a race of men who could out-shoot, out-fight, and out-kill anybody. They were paid fabulous sums to act as mercenaries. The practice became so lucrative, they decided to go into business. They became the most successful businessmen in history, and they called themselves… The Star Slammers!”

Sounds like this comic collection is about space mercenaries, right? Laser guns, spaceships, star battles, and all that really cool stuff included at no extra charge.

Yeah, it seems so. But wait! The story isn’t really about them going around blowing people and things up. Sure, they do that, but those The Expendables-type action sequences are not what Star Slammers is all about. Nope, it spends lots of its page time on hidden secrets, mystical powers, and racial genocide that turns a straightforward shoot-‘em-up into a more complex story.

What is absolutely great about this collection is the artwork. It is classic Simonson in all his glory. And if you have dug his style in any of his previous comic projects, then you will absolutely not want to miss Star Slammers.

What is not so great is the story that this collection places before a reader. It is a bit convoluted, has murky action scenes, puzzling flashbacks, and a narrative that doesn’t really draw you in and keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. Not that it is bad, but it just isn’t great.

Honestly, if Star Slammers hadn’t been by Walter Simonson, I probably would have given it a two star rating, but with him at the helm, I felt compelled to rate it a three, because any occasion to see a comic drawn by my favorite comic creator is well worth the time. And if you enjoy Simonson’s art, you should give this one a look see – just don’t expect too much from the story itself.

IDW Publishing and Netgalley provided this book to me for free in return for an honest review. The review above was not paid for or influenced in any way by any person, entity or organization, but is my own personal opinions.

[Bryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s like the best parts of Star Wars, Jack Kirby’s Thor, and Euro-style sci-fi comics, all rolled into in 64-page package with a beginning, middle, and end!

[Theediscerning · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh, dear. This is the very image of someone trying too hard. Over two very different stories made too far apart the whole concept of the Star Slammers is just impenetrable, with dodgy action scenes, ridiculously convoluted alien connections and relations, and no real sense of what is supposed to be going on. The publishers try hard to present everything, then miss out a prologue episode that apparently exists, and the reader really has to try and work out what the heck is going on – not helped by the alien figure in the second story being a shape changer, and no attempt being made at showing the audience who is who and what is what and why. That's where the effort should have been concentrated – in giving us odd yet fully rounded life-forms and terminologies, we're just left in a muddle. Sometimes comix are lost for a reason – this really didn’t need to be resurrected for a 2015 audience.

[David Austin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Reread after picking up the original Marvel Graphic Novel this weekend, love those colors and designs.

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like Walt Simonson's art very much, and I think its especially suited to a space opera story like this. I grew up reading Star Wars and Battlestar Galactica comics illustrated by him. Star Slammers is very much in that action-space-adventure style. The story is insubstantial but entertaining, and the art is lovely.

[Lord Battle · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first half of the book is a ground adventure that I much preferred to the final Star Wars style war. However, the way that final act was illustrated is probably what I'll remember most from this read.

Oh, and I'm bringing back Power Slammers aka Slings as the new symbol of masculinity.

[Guido · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edición española de la OGN que luego sería incluida en la versión completa de Star Slammers.

[Jefferson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Walter Simonson's artwork is exceptional as always, but the story is run-of-the-mill '80s space fantasy.

[Eric · Rating 3 out of 5]

I checked this out to see Walt Simonson's earlier work. The art's pretty great, but the story feels very compressed. It felt like this should have been a sprawling epic rather than a one shot. The intro chapter only sets up the main characters to show how good they are and wasn't entirely necessary. Then the characters are unmasked and you see the people beneath. That was a nice change of pace, to see some real humanity, but there wasn't enough room for this to breathe. It certainly wastes no time hitting the plot points, but it's just too quick.

[Paul Allard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This colourful and entertaining comic book collection is well worth a look. A couple of science fiction stories about a group of seemingly unbeatable soldiers are well-produced and show Simonson’s art and story-telling developing. A few scantily-clad female characters add to the enjoyment.

Well-told and top-level illustrations make this a must for all Walt Simonson fans.

[Jdetrick · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love Walt Simonson, but I'm afraid this simply isn't a great comic. There's some good ideas here, but I don't think they're communicated well, and the comic somewhat bogs down in trying to explain the premise.

[Mike Gallagher · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite books. Very inspirational. Simonson does a ton in a small space. Scifi action out the wazoo!

[Matt Piechocinski · Rating 1 out of 5]

I can only assume that Walt was still finding his groove in the industry, because this sucked.

[Little Timmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome SiFi war story. Simonson's art is fantastic. Very Recommended

[Reyel2107 · Rating 4 out of 5]

i love this graphic novel !!!!!