IMAGE COMICS – @ImageComics @TheMagicOrder
[This review was originally posted on Patreon.]
WRITER: Mark Millar – @mrmarkmillar
ARTIST: Rafael Albuquerque
COLORS: Marcelo Maiolo
LETTERS: Peter Doherty
EDITOR: Rachel Fulton
COVER: Rafael Albuquerque
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Frank Quitely; Rafael Albuquerque
28pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (December 2018)
Rated M / Mature
Prodigy is a new comic book miniseries created by Mark Millar and Rafael Albuquerque. It is the second series (following The Magic Order) produced by Millar since he sold his company, Millarworld, to Netflix. Prodigy focuses on the world's smartest man, who believes that he is the go-to guy when there is a global crisis to solve.
Prodigy #1 opens in 1993 at the end of the “Inter-School Polo Cup Final.” Eleven-year-old Edison Crane is the star of the match, much to the ire of some of his teammates who are high school students of actual high school age. How he deals with those violent, bitter teammates is a hint at what Edison will become – a man who will take on any problem or challenge on the road to becoming the world's smartest man running the world's most successful business.
But Edison Crane is not content because his brilliant mind needs constant challenge, so he becomes the go-to guy for governments around the world when they have a problem or crisis they cannot solve. When strange cars containing crispy critters start popping up around the world, however, Edison may finally face something that will truly challenge him.
I am a fan of a number of Mark Millar's creator-owned comic book series, with Kick-Ass, Empress, and The Magic Order (also a Netflix title) being among my favorite. I only read the first issue of the previous Millar-Albuquerque collaboration, Huck, which did not interest me enough to keep reading past the first issue.
Prodigy #1 is a teaser; the series' narrative really won't kick off until the second issue. Millar uses this first issue to sell Edison Crane, who has a thoroughly unlikable personality, to his readers. By the end of this issue, you might think Edison is a thoroughly intriguing character, dear readers; I did. This first issue also has one killer scene, which concerns surgery.
Rafael Albuquerque continues to transform as a comic book artist, in terms of his draftsmanship and in terms of the flair in his illustrative style. This stylishly-drawn first issue is among his best work, and Marcelo Maiolo's bright coloring makes this one gorgeously drawn comic book.
I am intrigued by this first issue, so I plan to keep reading Prodigy. Of course, I recommend it to all loyal Mark Millar readers.
7.5 out of 10
http://www.millarworld.tv/
www.imagecomics.com
Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"
The text is copyright © 2019 Leroy Douresseaux. All Rights Reserved. Contact this blog or site for reprint and syndication rights and fees.
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