Umbrella Academy: Dallas #5 – Review

By Gerard Way (writer), Gabriel Ba (artist), Dave Stewart (colorist)

The Story: After returning from the dead in the last issue, the Seance teleports himself, Kraken, and Spaceboy back in time in an effort to prevent Number 5 from carrying out his mission and assassinating President Kennedy.  When the brothers arrive three years too early however, they are forced to bide their time…in Vietnam.

The Good: If you’ve been following this latest installment of the Umbrella Academy from the start, by now you’re more than familiar with the qualities that have made this such an entertaining title.  Every issue is packed with bizarre and creative ideas, like when Kraken and his squad are ambushed in the jungle by Vietnamese vampires while transporting the mummy of the country’s last great emperor.  You know that Ba’s art is some of the finest, most energized work out there, and is the perfect vehicle for bringing Way’s imagination to life.  And finally, you’ve undoubtedly develop a newfound admiration for Dave Stewart’s brilliant color design.  I can honestly say his work here has been top notch, and is easily one of the reasons I keep buying these comics.  I’ve never followed a colorist’s work before, but in his case I’d make an exception.

The Not So Good: Overall, I’d say Way’s writing on this storyline is not as strong as it was on the first one.  Sure, there are some great ideas present here, but they can only carry so far if there isn’t a strong plot present to strengthen them.  And speaking of the plot (which wasn’t even disclosed until halfway through the story), the idea of the Umbrella Academy trying to prevent Kennedy’s assassination, while not flat out boring, is definitely underwhelming.  I feel like Way is trying to convince me that this is something important that I should be deeply invested in, but I just can’t seem to care enough.

Conclusion: I’m buying this comic for the art, the color, and the little bits of weirdness that are thrown in for good measure, but the story thus far does little to excite or entertain the way I hoped it would, and I question if that will change by the last issue.

Grade:  C

Tony Rakittke

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #2 – Review

By Gerard Way (writer), Gabriel Ba (artist), Dave Stewart (colorist)

The Story: Who and where is Number Five?  These are the questions everyone wants answered, from Hazel and Cha-Cha, two psychotic assassins with a penchant for baked goods, to Kraken, Rumor, and Seance, who would all rather look for the answers on their own than work together as a family.  Unfortunately, following the massacre at the dog track from the previous issue, Number Five is in no mood to talk, and has gone into hiding to indulge in some truly unusual relaxation.

The Good: The Umbrella Academy is so delightfully absurd it’s hard not to like.  I mean, come on, if you can’t take a look at the cover to this issue and not grin, not wonder what the heck is going on inside its pages, then I feel sorry for you, my friend.  Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba are entertainers and storytellers, skillfully moving from horror to comedy to cop drama in the same issue.  Of course, it helps having the talents of a colorist like Dave Stewart in your corner.  I don’t think I’ve ever been as impressed with the use of color in a comic as I am when I see his work in Umbrella Academy, and I’m grateful he’s on board.

The Not So Good: We’re now two issues into this storyline and I’m still not sure what it’s actually about.  This issue had a lot of great moments, but nothing holding them together — no plot that I could see.  One third of this story is now over and if the plot doesn’t come out soon then there is a serious problem here that needs to be addressed.  I expect the next issue to rise to the challenge and get to the point.

Conclusion: Despite a vague, elusive plot, The Umbrella Academy continues to entertain due in large part to the artistic talents of Gabriel Ba and Dave Stewart.  However, Gerard Way has proven he is a faithful student of Grant Morrison’s madness and we are made all the better for it as readers.

Grade:  B-

-Tony Rakittke

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #1 (of 6) – Review

By Gerard Way (story), Gabriel Ba (art), Dave Stewart (colors)

The Story: Picking up some time after the conclusion of the first mini-series, this new story looks in on the Hargreeves clan to see what they’ve been up to since successfully averting the apocalypse.  Each member has gone their separate way, with some like Spaceboy content to sit around the house watching TV and eating cookies, and others like the Seance growing quite fond of their newfound celebrity.  Number 5 has other things to worry about though, as he is assaulted by a legion of masked commandos called the Temps Aeternalis, an organization that he may have worked for while lost in time.

The Good: How about the fact that we’re finally getting more Umbrella Academy?  This title has proven to be one of the most imaginative, delightfully unusual stories I’ve read in a long time.  From the flashback scene of the children’s fight with the Lincoln Monument to the final battle between Number 5 and the Temps Aeternalis commandos, this series is brimming with mad, wonderful ideas.  There is a great energy in Ba’s art that captures both the quiet and dramatic moments with ease when it’s brought to life by Dave Stewart’s crisp palette of colors.

The Not So Good: My only complaint was that this was a necessarily slow issue, intended to take a moment’s rest from the battle before throwing the members of the Academy back into the middle of the new conflict.  I’m okay with that, provided we see more action and plot in subsequent issues.

Conclusion: Stories like The Umbrella Academy are why I read comics.  Visually splendid and bursting with crazy, inventive energy, this book will reward readers with ideas and images they’ve never seen before.  I can’t wait to see where Way and Ba go from here!

Grade: B+

-Tony Rakittke