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Rising Stars #0-5
Rising Stars Compendium
Launched in 1999, Rising Stars is about a group of people who are born with special abilities after a mysterious light appears in the sky. Parallels have been drawn between this series and The 4400 TV series on USA Network and Heroes on NBC.
This new collection includes all 24 issues of J. Michael Straczynski's run on Rising Stars, as well as all three spin-off mini-series written by his protégé, Fiona Avery.
This new collection includes all 24 issues of J. Michael Straczynski's run on Rising Stars, as well as all three spin-off mini-series written by his protégé, Fiona Avery.
1280 pages, Paperback
First published December 29, 2007
40 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
J. Michael Straczynski
1,366 books1,278 followersJoseph Michael Straczynski is an American filmmaker and comic book writer. He is the founder of Synthetic Worlds Ltd. and Studio JMS and is best known as the creator of the science fiction television series Babylon 5 (1993–1998) and its spinoff Crusade (1999), as well as the series Jeremiah (2002–2004) and Sense8 (2015–2018). He is the executor of the estate of Harlan Ellison.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.
Straczynski wrote the psychological drama film Changeling (2008) and was co-writer on the martial arts thriller Ninja Assassin (2009), was one of the key writers for (and had a cameo in) Marvel's Thor (2011), as well as the horror film Underworld: Awakening (2012), and the apocalyptic horror film World War Z (2013). From 2001 to 2007, Straczynski wrote Marvel Comics' The Amazing Spider-Man, followed by runs on Thor and Fantastic Four. He is the author of the Superman: Earth One trilogy of graphic novels, and he has written Superman, Wonder Woman, and Before Watchmen for DC Comics. Straczynski is the creator and writer of several original comic book series such as Rising Stars, Midnight Nation, Dream Police, and Ten Grand through Joe's Comics.
A prolific writer across a variety of media and former journalist, Straczynski is the author of the autobiography Becoming Superman (2019) for HarperVoyager, the novel Together We Will Go (2021) for Simon & Schuster, and Becoming a Writer, Staying a Writer (2021) for Benbella Books. In 2020 he was named Head of the Creative Council for the comics publishing company Artists, Writers and Artisans.
Straczynski is a long-time participant in Usenet and other early computer networks, interacting with fans through various online forums (including GEnie, CompuServe, and America Online) since 1984. He is credited as being the first TV producer to directly engage with fans on the Internet and to allow viewer viewpoints to influence the look and feel of his show. Two prominent areas where he had a presence were GEnie and the newsgroup rec.arts.sf.tv.babylon5.moderated.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 64 reviews
November 18, 2015
3.5 stars.
This compendium contains the main story and then individual stories about some of the specials that you wish you knew more about in the main story.
I think there are four single stories, the one called untouchable and the ones called dead bodies are very good the others are a bit slow.
Overall it's a great story, starts off very slowly but comes up with some good ideas like 'what if there were people with powers?' What would they do if they actually existed?
They say this book is what heroes the TV show was based on, but don't let that put you off, because it shows no relation to it at all.
The artwork is good, but there just weren't enough interesting characters to keep my interested.
This compendium contains the main story and then individual stories about some of the specials that you wish you knew more about in the main story.
I think there are four single stories, the one called untouchable and the ones called dead bodies are very good the others are a bit slow.
Overall it's a great story, starts off very slowly but comes up with some good ideas like 'what if there were people with powers?' What would they do if they actually existed?
They say this book is what heroes the TV show was based on, but don't let that put you off, because it shows no relation to it at all.
The artwork is good, but there just weren't enough interesting characters to keep my interested.
February 4, 2023
4.5/5
One of my favorite superheroes series ever. It's also my third re-read of it. Still good!
One of my favorite superheroes series ever. It's also my third re-read of it. Still good!
March 1, 2016
Rising Stars tells the story of a group of children who all received powers when a flash illuminated in the sky when they were all still in-utero. The story follows the kids as they grow up, as they learn the use their powers and trust themselves.
Each of 113 children have different powers that they learn to control at a government run facility.
You can see where this is going now can't you? Government doesn't trust them, they don't trust the government.
Surprisingly, none of the kids turned to the dark-side through out most of their lives. I found this odd that they accepted their roles in life and mostly did good things when they could. Though some of the lesser powered members attempted to lead a normal life in the suburbs.
What you don't expect from this book is such an engrossing story. I got lost in this world, when the book ended after the 24 issues were over, I was fully satisfied. The story had come to a wonderful conclusion that left no doubt in my mind that it couldn't have ended any other way.
The rest of the omnibus contained other related stories that filled in some of the gaps in the events from when the kids were first learning about themselves.
They released 2 mini-series: 1 about Lionel and his ability to interact with ghost, and another about the mysterious past of Laurel and her dealings with the government after she graduated.
Each of 113 children have different powers that they learn to control at a government run facility.
You can see where this is going now can't you? Government doesn't trust them, they don't trust the government.
Surprisingly, none of the kids turned to the dark-side through out most of their lives. I found this odd that they accepted their roles in life and mostly did good things when they could. Though some of the lesser powered members attempted to lead a normal life in the suburbs.
What you don't expect from this book is such an engrossing story. I got lost in this world, when the book ended after the 24 issues were over, I was fully satisfied. The story had come to a wonderful conclusion that left no doubt in my mind that it couldn't have ended any other way.
The rest of the omnibus contained other related stories that filled in some of the gaps in the events from when the kids were first learning about themselves.
They released 2 mini-series: 1 about Lionel and his ability to interact with ghost, and another about the mysterious past of Laurel and her dealings with the government after she graduated.
May 17, 2012
The complete Rising Stars collection is in this volume - all 24 issues plus sundry spinoffs and specials - but they've subtitled it "Volume 1" which indicates there's a volume 2 coming? Weird marketing decision. This is a great comic series by jms giving some humanity to his super-powered "specials" as they grow up and work out why they think they have this gift in the first place.
Only other problem is the binding on this very thick book isn't great, and after a single read, I can tell that some pages are going to fall out very soon...
Only other problem is the binding on this very thick book isn't great, and after a single read, I can tell that some pages are going to fall out very soon...
October 13, 2010
Amazing story - Incredible work.
Terrible Binding - the publisher's binding is absolute crap.
Terrible Binding - the publisher's binding is absolute crap.
September 21, 2021
4.5 Stars
I think this is a very underrated comic series. It has touches of Watchmen and Astro City as well. On a side note, Brent Anderson, the artist for Astro City, did much of the art for this series.
There's a bright flash over a city and many of the children in utero at the time of the flash eventually develop various superpowers. That's the basic premise, and it feels realistic enough you get a different take on superheroes. One weakness of the book is the early art. It's what I think of as "Image style" art, which is a lot of crosshatching and posing but seems to lack substance. The story was great, but the art didn't match well. Once Brent Anderson took over, that problem went away.
Also, the core series was fantastic. The spinoffs not as much. The spinoffs weren't bad, but weren't really on the level of the main series. They came across as a little unnecessary, but they were enjoyable enough.
If you're looking for a deeper superhero read, you should try this out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
I think this is a very underrated comic series. It has touches of Watchmen and Astro City as well. On a side note, Brent Anderson, the artist for Astro City, did much of the art for this series.
There's a bright flash over a city and many of the children in utero at the time of the flash eventually develop various superpowers. That's the basic premise, and it feels realistic enough you get a different take on superheroes. One weakness of the book is the early art. It's what I think of as "Image style" art, which is a lot of crosshatching and posing but seems to lack substance. The story was great, but the art didn't match well. Once Brent Anderson took over, that problem went away.
Also, the core series was fantastic. The spinoffs not as much. The spinoffs weren't bad, but weren't really on the level of the main series. They came across as a little unnecessary, but they were enjoyable enough.
If you're looking for a deeper superhero read, you should try this out. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised.
September 17, 2023
This omnibus consists of Straczynski's original Rising Stars run (24 issues), plus some side material, and Avery's three prequel spinoffs (Bright, Voices of the Dead, and Untouchable). I had a lot of fun with the series, though I did think I could tell at the start that JMS was a bit new to writing comics (a tad too much text, a tad too much explaining). I think I would've preferred it if the original series had a bit more time to breathe, as we get a lot of time skips and due to the large cast, we don't get too deep with more than a few characters. However, the story as a whole was freaking cool, and I definitely had chills in his final issue (#24). The spinoffs by Avery were pretty good, just showing episodes in Matthew's, Lionel's, and Laurel's histories.
June 10, 2023
I’ll give this four stars for the overall story. I liked it for the most part but I also felt like so much more could have been written about these characters. We met a fraction of all the possible characters and the story moved too fast at times. I’d really love a reboot or maybe an expansion of what has already been published. Fill in the gaps.
April 5, 2012
Really huge and rich series! Think Freakangels, but instead of seeing just a snippet of their lives at a critical junction, you explore every stage. Rather than being tedious, you get a more faceted picture typical superhero tropes. And there's an ending! An actual direction and some sense of meaning behind why the Specials exist--one of the things that's always bugged me about worlds that take superheros just as a given. There is so much potential for spin-off, and the writers give you enough space to explore what-ifs.
Currently reading
February 11, 2010This story of 100 plus children gaining super powers and growing into adulthood with varying personalities is very exciting! Filled with surprises, betrayals and gripping storytelling, anyone who loved Stand By Me, Sleepers or the X-Men will love this story about people who just happen to have powers!
October 14, 2011
This is one of the coolest superhero comics I have read. It is a very powerful look into the what if people got powers all of a sudden. How would we react, how would they react. What could/would they do for us as a people. This story makes me realize why hollywood is relaying on the comic industry for its stories. This is a great story that could easily be made into a movie/series.
April 5, 2020
DO NOT BUY THIS. The actual comic itself is pretty good but the binding is SO bad it is literally falling apart as I read it. Seriously, it’s like super cheap glue and I paid $60 for it at my local comic store. I haven’t finished it yet because of this. If you can read it digital it’s pretty recommended.
July 12, 2014
I love everything this man writes. From this to Babylon 5.
May 12, 2024
I'll mostly be reviewing the main storyline here, I will say the spin-offs and prelude included here pretty much keep to the nature of the main storyline, so if you like that, you'll also like them.
The best way to describe the story is that it's more of an Asimov tale with the trappings of superhero comics with a strong influence from Watchmen and The Sandman. So you've got a bunch of characters who are "the specials" (people born with superpowers) vs. the government and corporate interests and themselves. Really only a few of them take on a superhero persona but most of them take on superhero roles.
Rising Stars is, in both strengths and flaws, extremely 90s. "The Government" is self-interested, full of secrets, and corrupted. Normal people are aimless sheep that need to be led. The world is shown as a broken mistrustful place with lots of angst. The art style is very much of its time--square-jawed heroes with steroid muscles and big breasted heroines with wasp waists and interchangeable faces. It has a stuttering pace, leaping from mountain peak to mountain peak, skimping a bit on exposition and set-up. For that reason, big climactic moments sometimes feel a bit rushed and don't have time to set in.
Unfortunately Poet, our main protagonist, suffers from bland hero syndrome. He's angsty, he "plays by his own rules," his job/life/personality is all about being a hero and sulking. He has a love-interest that we rarely see once the relationship is going on. Very Batman.
But the side stories are where this shines. I was actually moved by some of them--the boy who was picked on so much that he just floated away, the queer character under the thumb of a religious father, the boy who wasn't a special but wanted to be. These were what I wanted to hear more about, rich and memorable, beside them the whole saving the world main storyline felt a bit thin.
I was also surprised to find an optimism about people hidden behind the grimdark facade. To Straczynski, humans aren't inherently bad, it's more like society took a wrong turn somewhere and needed to be adjusted, if they can just really see how things COULD be they would be better. Some might call it naive, but this take is truly earned by the end of the story. His basic take is that people aren't better because they can't see how good everything could be. It's a gutsy message and I commend him for writing it so well.
If you think you'll be interested, you'll probably like it.
The best way to describe the story is that it's more of an Asimov tale with the trappings of superhero comics with a strong influence from Watchmen and The Sandman. So you've got a bunch of characters who are "the specials" (people born with superpowers) vs. the government and corporate interests and themselves. Really only a few of them take on a superhero persona but most of them take on superhero roles.
Rising Stars is, in both strengths and flaws, extremely 90s. "The Government" is self-interested, full of secrets, and corrupted. Normal people are aimless sheep that need to be led. The world is shown as a broken mistrustful place with lots of angst. The art style is very much of its time--square-jawed heroes with steroid muscles and big breasted heroines with wasp waists and interchangeable faces. It has a stuttering pace, leaping from mountain peak to mountain peak, skimping a bit on exposition and set-up. For that reason, big climactic moments sometimes feel a bit rushed and don't have time to set in.
Unfortunately Poet, our main protagonist, suffers from bland hero syndrome. He's angsty, he "plays by his own rules," his job/life/personality is all about being a hero and sulking. He has a love-interest that we rarely see once the relationship is going on. Very Batman.
But the side stories are where this shines. I was actually moved by some of them--the boy who was picked on so much that he just floated away, the queer character under the thumb of a religious father, the boy who wasn't a special but wanted to be. These were what I wanted to hear more about, rich and memorable, beside them the whole saving the world main storyline felt a bit thin.
I was also surprised to find an optimism about people hidden behind the grimdark facade. To Straczynski, humans aren't inherently bad, it's more like society took a wrong turn somewhere and needed to be adjusted, if they can just really see how things COULD be they would be better. Some might call it naive, but this take is truly earned by the end of the story. His basic take is that people aren't better because they can't see how good everything could be. It's a gutsy message and I commend him for writing it so well.
If you think you'll be interested, you'll probably like it.
June 23, 2017
I started reading/buying this comic back in the early 2000's when I was working at Kobey's Swap Meet selling books, I met a guy there we all called "Waldo" (or Millhouse?...something like that, man, time flies...), his name is Gabriel. Gabe was the one to introduce me to some of my favorite shit ever, like Preacher, or Lord of the Rings (He lent me his book and I never returned it), among these recommendations he also talked about Rising Stars, I remember how hyped he was while pitching it to me so I decided to "Gabe" it a go (...get it?). I bought #8 I think, and my mind was blown with this gimmick I'd never seen before in a comic book, still I didn't finish the whole thing until this year (long compendium, 1100 pgs), 15 years later.... MIND BLOWN again.
Not gonna tell you about the story 'cuz really, What is there to say about a superhero comic book?, if you want a reference I would say "Watchmen + that Shitty "Heroes" TV show, but done right...
...So back to the gimmick, there's this guy who can talk with the dead ('cuz comic books), he lives isolated 'cuz he's fed up of dead dudes showing up with their problems... the story goes on, blah blah blah, superhero shit, adventures, etc, and by the end of this episode you see the dead talking guy sitting down on a couch, this left me wondering what the fuck, right?, what a dumb way to finish a perfectly good chapter, but then you start turning the page and you notice that the stuff on the back is now visible, and what do you see?, yep!, a bunch of dead dudes talking to the guy, it was a really cool way to play with translucency.
Anyways, Thanks Gabe, wherever you are, I tried locating him to give him the LOTR back and you know, to get more recommendations, and then I heard from a mutual acquaintance that he's lost in drugs, possibly heavy drugs, anyways, Gabe I hope you're all good, man, take it easy and I still have your book in case you want it back...
Not gonna tell you about the story 'cuz really, What is there to say about a superhero comic book?, if you want a reference I would say "Watchmen + that Shitty "Heroes" TV show, but done right...
...So back to the gimmick, there's this guy who can talk with the dead ('cuz comic books), he lives isolated 'cuz he's fed up of dead dudes showing up with their problems... the story goes on, blah blah blah, superhero shit, adventures, etc, and by the end of this episode you see the dead talking guy sitting down on a couch, this left me wondering what the fuck, right?, what a dumb way to finish a perfectly good chapter, but then you start turning the page and you notice that the stuff on the back is now visible, and what do you see?, yep!, a bunch of dead dudes talking to the guy, it was a really cool way to play with translucency.
Anyways, Thanks Gabe, wherever you are, I tried locating him to give him the LOTR back and you know, to get more recommendations, and then I heard from a mutual acquaintance that he's lost in drugs, possibly heavy drugs, anyways, Gabe I hope you're all good, man, take it easy and I still have your book in case you want it back...
December 21, 2019
I had the first volume of this series as a kid, roughly twenty years ago, but never found another copy back then. I hadn’t been introduced to the Comic Book Stores yet and ordering online was not a thing for me yet. As such, I never finished the story. I always kept the volume though, and reread it quite often. Since I never forgot about it, I decided to order the full collection.
The story is awesome. 101 children are born with unique powers and we follow them as they grow up. The tale starts with an intriguing muder mystery but blossoms into a grand philosophical tale by the end. One downside is, that Straczynski doesn’t really seem to care all that much about the actual powers, but is more interested in the impact on the world and politics these Specials would have. This does make it an unique superhero story, but it also leads to some missed opportunities. While the 101 have unique powers, only a handful are really explored. Even worse, when - at some point in the story - the Specials get powered up they all get super strenght and can fly, making (almost of all them) pretty much the same.
Still, this is a super interesting take on the genre and one that ends on a high, positive note filled with hope - even if it’s a long, bloody way to get there. Since a lot of Superhero deconstructions are bleak or cynical (Watchmen / The Boys / Miller’s Batman) that is a nice change. I never hear anyone talk about this series, and I think people should.
[spoiler: the final page, when the powers are passed on to an alien culture in space was thematically very cool, but since the aliens were never introduced or hinted at... it’s also incredibly silly from a storytelling standpoint]
The story is awesome. 101 children are born with unique powers and we follow them as they grow up. The tale starts with an intriguing muder mystery but blossoms into a grand philosophical tale by the end. One downside is, that Straczynski doesn’t really seem to care all that much about the actual powers, but is more interested in the impact on the world and politics these Specials would have. This does make it an unique superhero story, but it also leads to some missed opportunities. While the 101 have unique powers, only a handful are really explored. Even worse, when - at some point in the story - the Specials get powered up they all get super strenght and can fly, making (almost of all them) pretty much the same.
Still, this is a super interesting take on the genre and one that ends on a high, positive note filled with hope - even if it’s a long, bloody way to get there. Since a lot of Superhero deconstructions are bleak or cynical (Watchmen / The Boys / Miller’s Batman) that is a nice change. I never hear anyone talk about this series, and I think people should.
[spoiler: the final page, when the powers are passed on to an alien culture in space was thematically very cool, but since the aliens were never introduced or hinted at... it’s also incredibly silly from a storytelling standpoint]
April 18, 2019
Rising Stars Compendium – J. Michael Straczynski
The series from 1999 tells the story of 113 Specials, children who were in utero when a blinding light struck a small American town, years later in their childhood they start to develop special powers. This tells their story from childhood to death, the joys and successes, the hatred and betrayal, the heroes and the villains, the redemptions and the lost causes.
It focuses on several of the main players and we see the world through their eyes and how the world sees these special people. It is as realistic as you can get, showing the hatred and spite for those with abilities others don’t have, the attempts to make the world a better place, spoiled by politics and power and the need to live a normal life as well as to make a difference.
The first 600 odd pages focus on this story and the next 400 on the back stories of some of the main characters as well as some bit part players. I really enjoyed the first 600 pages but lost some interest in the smaller stories.
I’m glad I read this story and have seen a different take on superheroes, however, I would advise anyone not to read the paperback version, as the spine is so weak, that the 1000 odd pages break it easily and you end up with bits all over your house and then have to go around picking it up for the next few days!
The series from 1999 tells the story of 113 Specials, children who were in utero when a blinding light struck a small American town, years later in their childhood they start to develop special powers. This tells their story from childhood to death, the joys and successes, the hatred and betrayal, the heroes and the villains, the redemptions and the lost causes.
It focuses on several of the main players and we see the world through their eyes and how the world sees these special people. It is as realistic as you can get, showing the hatred and spite for those with abilities others don’t have, the attempts to make the world a better place, spoiled by politics and power and the need to live a normal life as well as to make a difference.
The first 600 odd pages focus on this story and the next 400 on the back stories of some of the main characters as well as some bit part players. I really enjoyed the first 600 pages but lost some interest in the smaller stories.
I’m glad I read this story and have seen a different take on superheroes, however, I would advise anyone not to read the paperback version, as the spine is so weak, that the 1000 odd pages break it easily and you end up with bits all over your house and then have to go around picking it up for the next few days!
March 1, 2021
Three and a half stars.
I started reading this compendium years ago. One of my coworkers recommended it, so I was looking forward to it, but I found it really hard to get through. Wait, let me give a bit about the story first.
Basically the earth gets hit by some kind of celestial fireball, and the children born around the time of the impact in a certain area all develop super powers of various kinds. The earth grapples with how to deal with the kids, and as they grow up, they fight, manipulate each other, and try to save the world. Then in the back we get more focused stories on individual Specials--one about a super-powered cop, one about a ghost-hunter, one about an assassin.
As I said above, I had a hard time getting through this book. I found it often quite long-winded and didn't really feel grabbed by the characters for most of the book. Still, there are some great twists and turns to the plot, and the main narrative has a memorable and impactful conclusion. I think, though, that I enjoyed the extra stories in the back more than the main narrative, as they have some fun narrative genre conventions.
Not bad, but gosh is it long and gets a bit tiresome.
I started reading this compendium years ago. One of my coworkers recommended it, so I was looking forward to it, but I found it really hard to get through. Wait, let me give a bit about the story first.
Basically the earth gets hit by some kind of celestial fireball, and the children born around the time of the impact in a certain area all develop super powers of various kinds. The earth grapples with how to deal with the kids, and as they grow up, they fight, manipulate each other, and try to save the world. Then in the back we get more focused stories on individual Specials--one about a super-powered cop, one about a ghost-hunter, one about an assassin.
As I said above, I had a hard time getting through this book. I found it often quite long-winded and didn't really feel grabbed by the characters for most of the book. Still, there are some great twists and turns to the plot, and the main narrative has a memorable and impactful conclusion. I think, though, that I enjoyed the extra stories in the back more than the main narrative, as they have some fun narrative genre conventions.
Not bad, but gosh is it long and gets a bit tiresome.
January 3, 2021
By the time I finished this, I remembered why I ended up hating it as a kid.
1. Grievous plot hole: near the end, Poet reveals to the reader that the Specials can’t have kids. This is despite Patriot having had kids. Multiples! Blech.
2. There’s a character named Poet.
3. JMS’ biggest flaw is that he will ALWAYS use 4 issues where 3 pages will do. And not bc he’s being decompressed; no, his big themes and key phrases will just get repeated ad nauseum (and I do mean nauseum). Despite his famous no-editors clause, he badly needs one to tell him that really, his 24-issue magnum opus would work just fine at 18 issues or whatever.
4. Man, the whole “superheroes in the real world” thing will never not read as horrendously tired, Watchmen and Ex Machina excluded.
So apparently I have to do this to myself every once in a while and make sure that no, it’s as bad as I remembered.
Also, the art’s pretty atrocious until they’re able to get to Stuart Immonen’s fill-in, followed by 10 issues of Brent Anderson.
1. Grievous plot hole: near the end, Poet reveals to the reader that the Specials can’t have kids. This is despite Patriot having had kids. Multiples! Blech.
2. There’s a character named Poet.
3. JMS’ biggest flaw is that he will ALWAYS use 4 issues where 3 pages will do. And not bc he’s being decompressed; no, his big themes and key phrases will just get repeated ad nauseum (and I do mean nauseum). Despite his famous no-editors clause, he badly needs one to tell him that really, his 24-issue magnum opus would work just fine at 18 issues or whatever.
4. Man, the whole “superheroes in the real world” thing will never not read as horrendously tired, Watchmen and Ex Machina excluded.
So apparently I have to do this to myself every once in a while and make sure that no, it’s as bad as I remembered.
Also, the art’s pretty atrocious until they’re able to get to Stuart Immonen’s fill-in, followed by 10 issues of Brent Anderson.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 11, 2020
Tak tu máme další kolosální knihu. Příběh trochu připomíná (minimálně ze začátku) Watchmeny, částečně DC New Frontier. Rozdíl je v tom, že ve Hvězdách je tématika víc posunutá do motivu superhrdinů jako úplně obyčejných lidí, kteří sice mají superschopnosti, ale chtějí žít normální život. Trochu tu chybí to mrazivé morální dilema Watchmenů, ale i tak je scénář celkem solidní. Není to žádný světoborný zázrak, ale celkem solidní počtení určitě. Doplňkové "spin-offy" taky neurazí, ačkoliv už nedosahují kvalit základního příběhu. Kresba je víceméně dobrá - v podstatě takový superhrdinský průměr. Sem tam se ovšem povede nějaký opravdu hnusný obličej (hlavně v posledním doplňkovém příběhu) či nepřirozeně dlouhý krk apod. Rozvržení panelů je celkem standardní (pro superhrdinský žánr), ale občas se povedou i nějaké zajímavější kompozice.
October 6, 2019
Ce pavé de 1000 pages à couverture rigide contient les 24 numéros de la série de comics Rising Stars, mais aussi les séries limitées et dérivées de la série originale.
J’avais déjà lu cette série de comics mais j’ai eu envie d’y replonger après avoir lu l’autobiographie de son auteur, J. Michael Straczynski.
La série de base mériterait à elle seule cinq étoiles, c’est un modèle d’écriture et de réflexion si le thème du super-héros et de sa place au sein de l’humanité.
Les séries dérivées vont du très bon (Voices of the Dead) au franchement ennuyant (Untouchable) en passant par le correct et divertissant (Bright).
L’ensemble est très bon, et vaut largement le coup d’être lu, ne serait-ce que pour la série originale.
J’avais déjà lu cette série de comics mais j’ai eu envie d’y replonger après avoir lu l’autobiographie de son auteur, J. Michael Straczynski.
La série de base mériterait à elle seule cinq étoiles, c’est un modèle d’écriture et de réflexion si le thème du super-héros et de sa place au sein de l’humanité.
Les séries dérivées vont du très bon (Voices of the Dead) au franchement ennuyant (Untouchable) en passant par le correct et divertissant (Bright).
L’ensemble est très bon, et vaut largement le coup d’être lu, ne serait-ce que pour la série originale.
July 24, 2021
Overall, I would say this book is worth a read if you like superheroes. It has its peaks and valleys, but I do appreciate what Straczynski accomplished with this work, and it is something to be applauded. This is what the TV show, Heroes, should have been, honestly. While there could have been some better developments in some aspects, I did enjoy my time reading this overall. I will also add that the mini series books in the back are not very good (in my opinion), but they do help to fill in some gaps in the main story that might be of interest to readers, but I would have been fine without them.
May 30, 2019
As with most graphic novels, I had a bit of trouble getting into it. But it was a well thought out story (with an actual ending and explanation!) and the add-on stories for the characters were more interesting than I expected.
And very thought provoking. What type of person would you be if you had powers? Why would you even want powers (it seems miserable!)? How can we make a better world (powers or no)? Who decides what a 'better world' looks like?
Some books leave you the minute you close the book but I think I'm going to think about this one for a while.
And very thought provoking. What type of person would you be if you had powers? Why would you even want powers (it seems miserable!)? How can we make a better world (powers or no)? Who decides what a 'better world' looks like?
Some books leave you the minute you close the book but I think I'm going to think about this one for a while.
May 31, 2020
Really enjoyed Joe’s story. Best superhero comic I’ve read since Irredeemable and Invincible. This story felt very true to life. The characters were relatable and very human.
Biggest complaint is that the artists didn’t make the characters distinct enough. I had a hard time figuring out who was whom when they were in civvies, especially in scenes where there were a lot of shadows.
Also, don’t buy the hardcopy; the pages were separating from the binding for the first 10% of the book.
Heartily recommended.
Biggest complaint is that the artists didn’t make the characters distinct enough. I had a hard time figuring out who was whom when they were in civvies, especially in scenes where there were a lot of shadows.
Also, don’t buy the hardcopy; the pages were separating from the binding for the first 10% of the book.
Heartily recommended.
February 15, 2019
This was the first book I've read in a long time that had me eager to read in any moment available. It's meticulously crafted throughout and gives details away in the most calculated way possible. It absolutely belongs on any "must read" list for graphic novel fans. I believe it's good enough to create new graphic novel fans if given a proper chance. The moral of the story is - I need more stars to rate this book!
April 3, 2019
This is the 3rd time I've read through this and it hold just as amazing every time. I think this comic series is the best take on superheroes in a realistic setting, facing very human situations and adapting, or being overcome, by them.
July 30, 2017
Loads of exposition. Loads and loads of it.
December 11, 2017
Very good!
February 15, 2018
good story. good characters
May 31, 2018
Story = 5 Stars
Production value of product = ZERO - pages started falling out the first time i opened it
Production value of product = ZERO - pages started falling out the first time i opened it
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