Customer Reviews

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

After the apocalyptic events chronicled in the first trade paperback, Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba show us another side of the Umbrella Academy that I didn't expect to see. Even though they saved the world in the previous storyline, the second trade starts off with some pretty dysfunctional behavior from most of the principal cast of the book, with almost no one feeling the elation of having prevented Armageddon, save for The Seance, who has become a celebrity. Spaceboy has become indolent, Kraken's working with the police to investigate his mysterious time-travelling brother No.5, The White Violin is bedridden, The Rumor is dealing with the loss of her voice, and the Horror is still dead and only shows up in flashbacks. To make my point, the Hargreaves family seems to be even more discontent than at the beginning of the first volume, even though they banded together against a shared evil that should, ostensibly, have brought them closer together. The writing and the art is as magnificent as ever, and Gerard Way seems to have been born to be a comic book writer rather than a musician (though he does the latter pretty well too. He is, after all, the lead singer of My Chemical Romance, for those of you who didn't know). Gabriel Ba delivers fine pencils reminiscent of his run on Casanova, and it suits the book perfectly. The plot unfolding in "Dallas" is so quirky and twisted that it made my head spin, as it involves time travel, alternate histories, over-the-top superhero violence and jaw-dropping revelations. The bulk of the story revolves around the secret dealings of No.5, who showed us that he is more than just a time-travelling kindergartener in the last volume, and he is sure to surprise readers even more in the second book. The main threat comes from the mysterious Temps Aeternalis, a secret society with time travel capabilities, and two masked psychopaths called Cha Cha and Hazel. I wish I could say more about the story and what exactly it has to do with the JFK assassination, but that would be giving too much away. Reading this book was a fun ride, and it's safe to say that as good as the first volume was, this one is even better. Buy it if you like Grant Morrison craziness mixed with classic Chris Claremont team dynamics.

In my review of Vol. 1 of The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite, I stated I thought the world and characters Gerard Way created were fascinating and that the art of Gabriel Ba is great and lends itself to the piece very nicely.

For better or for worse, nothing has changed.

Gerard Way still has trouble as a storyteller. He creates an absolutely amazing world of characters and despite all this family turmoil he presents us, I don't really care about any of the characters. We only get a few snapshots of each relationship, then we are hurried to the next. It's a shame because the world that Way created has got to be up there in my top 5 through all story mediums (movies, games, books, etc.) He has this incredible gift for creating very interesting characters and circumstances (Hazel and Cha Cha being one of the standouts this volume) but if you can't make a story that people care about, you don't really have a story. And killing characters way too quickly (usually comic writers have the exact opposite problem)before we get to know them more, root for them, and enjoy their unique personality.

While there are quite a few gems amongst the dialogue but for the most part the dialogue isn't very good. Many of the lines are very esoteric and self serving, which works for music but not very well in print media.

So all that being said I'm still going to continue with the series since it's one of the freshest stories out there, even if it falls short. Way has some growing to do but considering that The Umbrella Academy is one of his writing ventures published, he's not doing too shabby at all.

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What needs to stay the same

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- unique world and characters (this is reason alone to buy it)

- the art and character design

- the mood of the work (macabre and yet amusing)

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What needs to change

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- killing off characters way too fast before we get a chance to enjoy them

- story and dialogue need some work

- needs more pathos to keep the reader engaged

I look forward to whenever Vol. 3 comes out and I hope for those of you wanting something a bit different from your graphic novels (or stories in general), I hope you will give The Umbrella Academy a try.

I am a HUGE fan of Gerard way. I went to the bookstore to try to find this comic but it was nowhere to be found. So, I checked amazon! I recommend that comic book lovers and MCR fans everywhere buy this and the first one! It comes in perfect condition and it's a great read.

Firts of all, this comic is amazing, i must say i was drawn into it for Gerard Way, he's a rockstar so wanted to see how good was his writing, and loved it, the story is really good, the art blends pefectly to it. Just sit, relax, read and enjoy a good comic, the only way to describe this.

This is the second book in the series of the Umbrella Academy.

And it's safe to say that it's a natural sequel, as good as the first.

I guess the only downside is that Gabriel Bá did the covers instead of James Jean. Bá's work is ok, but Jean takes covers for a new level...

Taking some months where the previous series left, Dallas will show you what you expect to see from the cover. Yeah, I know you saw it too...

In this volume the creative team shows our heroes in not really heroic situations. I would expect them to move on. Instead, they don't really seem to worry about the world. It seems that they just really accept saving something when they can't not save this something anymore.

If you feel dizzy with timetravel, after-life experiences, bio-trained assassins and sugar, stay away from this one. Otherwise, prepare yourself for a thrill-ride.

Another great graphics novel in this amazing series. Amazing art? Check. Great writing? Check. Interesting characters? Check. I can't wait for the 3rd in the series.

The fun and unique perspective from the maiden voyage continues. Maybe not quite as dazzling as the debut effort but still a standout effort.

I have been an avid reader of comics for many years and I am getting to the point where I feel like I have read an re-read every comic plot 100 times. I am always in search of that new story that has a little bit of the familiar yet reads like something new and wonderful. This series has that covered in spades!!!

*Disfunctional super team group with father issues, Check!

*Danger coming from secrets inside the team? Check!

*Amazing super powers they are ill prepared to handle? Check!

*Fuzzy gorilla space suits, talking soldier monkeys, and time travel, CHHK_CHHHK_CHINGGGGG!

It sounds like the same old same old, but ISN'T! By twisting the xmen cliche's and spicing it up with aburdist humor, gorgeous art, and excellent character development, this series burned its way to the top of my reading list, along side Hellboy, 100 Bullets, Criminal and Scalped. This series reads like a streamlined and lucid Grant Morrison tale. But I do feel that Gerard Way definitely has his own storytelling voice that I love and look forward to reading more of! Give up the singing already and write more comics, MAN!!!

I got this book for my daughter, it's a great book and she loved it. it was in perfect condition, shipping was fast and satisfactory. thank you!

Great sequel. Gerard is a genious in all aspects (just check My Chemical Romance). Can't wait for the movie of the 1st one!!