Customer Reviews

Cosmic Odyssey

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I initially bought this just because Mike Mognola did the art, which by the way is absolutely amazing and proved furthermore that he is one of the most versitile and gifted artists out there today. But then I found there was much more there, and I honestly very impressed by the story. Straight out of 1988, this "cosmic" tale is typical of the time, and today seen as cliche', but it is still very fun to read. It was great to see so many characters, mainly of the "space adventurers" such as Superman and the New Genesis people, and their colaborations with each other. The most interesting aspects of the story were amongst the characters themselves. I wasn't so much concerned with the end of the universe, but how well Batman and Forager got along, or Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter (this part of the story proved most personal as we a see a very distraught GL who goes through a devestating event). Even though I didn't know half of the characters or their backgrounds, I could still understand them and not feel left out. We know they will win, but how is so much more fun. One promising thing is that there is enough action and driving story that you can read it again and again. I can't think of the last time I read something this good and clear-written. I was also very happy that Starlin didn't focus on just Superman and Batman (the two usual big guns), but rather focused on this alliance of super beings. Buy it if not for the art alone, but a solid, fun story that won't let you down.

I'm not too big of a DC fan but I picked up on this trade because I've always been interested in Darkseid and the New Gods. The storyline in this book is very strong answering several questions about the mythos of the New God's I've had (like what exactly the Anti-life equation was. Although I doubt this is still cannon to the ever changing DC Universe) but this book falls sorts for a number of reasons.

One of them is the art. While the art isn't awful, it is quiet messy and unclear. The second part of this book is the issues that are brought up are for the most part nicely presented but a few of them fell short in my eyes. (Like they deserved to be collected in another trade and get there own storyline) and the last fault I have with this book is that I think it hasn't aged well like Crisis on Infinite Earth.

If you are a fan of old crossovers or if you are a new gods fan then I would get this book. But if you want a fun or even enjoyable story then I suggest you look elsewhere you won't find it here.

I remember this when it was a four issue prestige format mini series. It was printed on lovely heavy stock paper and looked beautiful. Now, for this reprint, DC have elected to publish it on the cheap fish wrap quality comic paper. Why? Because cutting costs and giving the consumer less is more important than quality obviously. What do you have to say for yourself DC?

Usually I avoid New Gods stories, but saw the good reviews... glad I gave it a chance.

The plot is interesting and the teamups were inspired. Starfire and Adam Strange,
20 years before 52! It was good to finally read something I'd heard so much about,
John Stewart's colossal failure for the planet Xanshi.
Early art by Mike Mignola - nice.

Only real complaint is the clunky dialogue...everyone sounds the same. And Starfire
being referred to as "Cory" instead of "Kory"... they should've caught that.

I read this as a kid. I bought it because it was thick. More pages the better was my philosophy at the time. It's haunted me from time to time in the passing years and I just re-read it tonight.

I completely holds up.

Mike Mignola's art is breathtaking. And so dark, there's tons of black on every page. I think it sets a great tone for this tragic story.

The team up aspect is great. A few of DC's bread and butter characters with some New Gods and a few you wouldn't expect.

Which reminds me. If you haven't read this before skip the intro. A major plot point is spoiled. But do read it afterword as it's an interesting behind the scenes story of the book.

Also if you can get the first printing. The paper is vastly superior.

A treat to have this combination. Mike Mignola in a rare foray into the superhero world, and Jim Starlin's flare for space hero adventures. The Justice League must join forces with the New Gods to have enough firepower to stop a really serious threat from Darkseid.

They screw up, bigtime.

Even though this book gets a 3, I wish it were in print for others to experience. It's much better than 99% of the crud that DC collects in trade paperbacks these days.

Written by Jim Starlin, "Cosmic Odyssey" contains his standard "cosmic" themes apparent in much of his other work (Dreadstar, Warlock). Reading a bit like a Silver Age adventure, a group of DC's more powerful heroes must team with the New Gods (yes, including Darkseid, who in turn teams with Etrigan the Demon) to defeat a threat to the universe... and of course, they split off in teams to cover more ground. There's some good drama here, including the personality clashes of Superman and Orion, and a horrible mistake made by Green Lantern John Stewart early in his career. You also get Adam Strange, Highfather, Dr. Fate, the Thanagarians, Martian Manhunter, Lightray, Starfire, and many others. The story quality varies in parts, especially concerning the segments with Batman. Even though he's Earthbound for the majority of the book, he just doesn't belong in the company of the aforementioned heroes and gods, and his closing confrontation with Orion is laughable. Assuming he didn't break his knuckles on Orion's jaw, Orion would more than likely have put Batman's head though the wall.

This was an earlier phase of artist Mike Mignola's career, where he didn't use so much shadow, concentrating more on figures and detail. It's still his trademark work, however, and it looks great as always. The art alone is worth the price of the book.