The Weeknd Presents: Starboy #1

by Christos Gage (Writer), La Mar Taylor (Writer), Abel “The Weeknd” Tesfaye (Writer)

Based on the chart-topping song from the double-platinum album STARBOY by THE WEEKND.

The city of Alphatron is in the grip of a crime wave, as the terrifying Jack “The Chef” Smiley has unified all criminal organizations with his ruthlessness and strategic genius. Not content with brutally murdering his victims, Smiley also feasts upon their flesh. The citizens live in fear and the police have been directly targeted. The city is in dire need of a hero. It will not get one…but it will get what it deserves. STARBOY.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels

Paperback

First published June 6, 2018

About the author

Chris N. Gage is a writer for comic books and television.

Reviews

[Mehmet Mustafa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read with the Starboy album blaring

[Kalle Eriksson · Rating 5 out of 5]

❤️

[Bbgirl28 · Rating 3 out of 5]

There isn't much to say about 'Starboy Vol.1' for the simple reason that there isn't a lot to go on.

This first volume basically serves as an introduction to the story- an opening chapter if you will. Because of this, there seems to be very little depth to the story. There's plenty of action, but it's not elaborated upon or explored- it simply happens. There's even a plot twist/ betrayal that happens towards the end of the comic that should be shocking given the right direction, but it simply wasn't. It just happened, and then the story moved on, with very little explanation as to why it happened, other than a sibling rivalry, that isn't explored to great length.

As for the characters, they are very 2D. Jeremiah is good because he loves his Dad. Smiley is evil because he eats people. That's it. End of discussion. The dialogue also felt a bit clunky at times too.

That being said, I am a huge Weeknd fan, so I am looking forward to seeing where this series goes. As for the flaws that I pointed out, it could be because a) this volume was tiny, and b) it's basically an origin story, so hopefully they'll get ironed out as the series progresses.

[B.j. Harmon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good intro to the world and Starr. I really feel like they may have something with this. The whole book is great even the ads! This just makes The Weeknd that much better of an artist too the fact that he puts his name on a comic. Not a lot of the people in the genre he is in would do that.

[Daria Gray · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very interesting and fun read. it was kind of unexpected because I didn't know that the weekend had mad a collab with marvel comics but I do hope that they continue with the comics because it is really interesting.

[Erik · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit short and I'd be lying if I said i wasnt expecting more, but it's marvel and the weeknd! a crossover I would have never predicted.

[Zeel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Shorter than I expected but love the Marvel x Weeknd crossover!

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Aunque es una historia bastante cliché, se gana mi agrado por la calidad de las ilustraciones, además que en tan pocas páginas crean un mundo que se siente real y con derecho a existir.

[Michael Bolls · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good intro. A bit short but love the cover. Keeping it on display on my bookshelf

[Veronika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve recently become a huge fan of The Weeknd. I’ve always enjoyed his music (I remember being obsessed with The Hills when that song came out but for some reason I fell off from listening to him) but not until the beginning of last year did I become completely immersed in the man and the music and now consider myself an actual fan (I even went to his concert in July); I know I’m late to the party but I’m here lol! In honor of Abel’s 33rd birthday, I decided to read and review Starboy, the one shot comic that he helped create back in 2018 in collaboration with Marvel named after hit song/album of the same name.

The city of Alphatron is in the grip of a crime wave, as the terrifying Jack “The Chef” Smiley has unified all criminal organizations and is terrifying the city. The citizens live in fear and the police have been heavily targeted and now the city is in dire need of a hero.

First off, the artwork was really good! This comic definitely gets graphic and is not for the faint of heart and the drawings helped to set the dark and dismal tone of the story. The plot is your standard hero origin story but for it to only be the first issue this had some plot twists and backstabbing that I actually did not see coming! It was giving DC Dark Knight and Batman energy! I enjoyed the father and son dynamic and would have liked to have seen more of that. And the conversation between the two cop brothers was one of my favorite pages.

This comic showed a lot of promise and I would have looked forward to seeing what the rest of the series would have been like if it hadn’t been canceled. I really want to know more of what Jeremiah’s powers were since that was barely explored in this first issue and know more about this girl from his past. But if The Weeknd ever wants to try his hand at comics again, which I really hope he does, I highly suggest he work with @etancomics or @z2comics because I know it would be phenomenal 👀🤞🏾.

Rating: ❌⭕️❌⭕️/5 (Because “I'm a motherf****n’ starboy”!)