Starlight #2

From start to finish Starlight just feels special. I've seen many comparisons between Starlight and The Incredibles and, while at times there do seem to be some thematic inspiration, I think the real connection is that each property scratches a specific itch we have as adults to both connect with our families and not lose the glory days of youth. Starlight is a book that I enjoy as a father and I'm going to save it for my son to read because, while he may not get all the subtext of the story, I'm sure he will love it just as much! Starlight is why I read comics. Read Full Review

Starlight continues to impress as though it drops the pace ever so slightly it does give a lot of background, also having a lot intriguing developments. Highly recommended. Read Full Review

I find that Mark Millar has taken subject matter that could be difficult for anyone, losing a loved one and trying to find a way to move on, and made it endearing and dare I say, enjoyable to read. Read Full Review

Starlight #2 was a really fun book from start to finish. This series has been off to a tremendous start with its first two installments, and things are only going to get crazier! The story is engaging and interesting, and the characters feel real with very sincere interactions. The subtle humor throughout adds a lot to an already interesting story. This is a book that will be enjoyable for fans of any genre, especially those who like the classics! Read Full Review

The comic ends with Duke coming back to a Tantalus far different than the one he remembers thanks to the alien invaders. Naturally the reader who read issue #1 would assume this is what would happen but like I said this issue had to get us there in order for the real adventure to begin. Starlight #2 is a solid follow up to the very good first debut issue. I feel like this was literally part 2 of the first issue and could have easily been collected in double sized debut issue. Despite reading a little too quick and lacking the emotional ride and vibrant colors the first issue had Starlight #2 is still a good comic and sets up a host of possibilities going forward. Read Full Review

This series has really captured my heart. Mark Millar has taken the familiar idea we've seen of the hero from Earth saving the galaxy but adds a great twist to it. The story is being taken to a different level I never really thought about. Parlov's art and Svorcina's colors are a perfect match for the tone presented in this series. I'm often extremely picky about sci-fi comics. I love both but they don't often work for me. If I could, I would personally thank Millar for this comic. It's now a series I will highly look forward to each month. Read Full Review

At the same time, the series does feel a bit predictable and safe because of Millar's storytelling choices. Nothing has unfolded in these first two issues that I've found surprising or unexpected. Duke himself has no real discernible character flaws. He's kindhearted, honest, hard-working, and faithful to his wife until the end. Can a comic remain interesting over the long term with such a squeaky clean lead? But to be fair, Millar is still in the process of ushering Duke back to Tantalus and really getting his conflict underway. There's still a lot we don't know about the direction and flavor of this series. Read Full Review

Starlight #2 has a lot of potential - let's just see if the creative team takes advantage of that in the coming issues. Read Full Review

Starlight sort of reminds me of something like The Last Starfighter, a piece of pop culture that embraces the camp of its own tropes and just charges confidently forward. Read Full Review

Starlight continues to be a highly emotional; well written; beautifully drawn; and excitement filled sci-fi series that has much to offer. Not as fast paced as the first issue mainly because of a lack of flashbacks, but still builds on Dukes character and moves the story forward into space. Read Full Review

It is, although it suffers the second issue blues. There isn't much action to speak of, and the one chance to do so with the flashback falls short. It does however continue the feels and feel-good nature of the protagonist. Read Full Review

Starlight #2 is a slight mistep, but still a step in the right direction overall. The problems with this issue are not going to be the norm and issue #3 will recapture the momentum created from an amazing first issue. If you are a 'trade waiter,' then you won't even notice the faults.I'm just disappointed that my only Starlight for this month boiled down to one extended scene. Read Full Review

The artwork continues to be a delight. The artwork captures all of the emotion, excitement and wonder that goes into a story like this one. Duke is a depressed guy but space travel obviously gets him to smile again and the artwork captures this perfectly. The book has a detailed look and the colors sit nicely on top of the pencils. This is a very good art presentation. Read Full Review

I understand his world is emptier now that Joanne is dead but so much of the intercutting (IE first a shot of him doing amazing stuff on Tantalus then a shot of him farting around the supermarket looking vacant) is meant to convey how much worse his life on Earth is and the allusion of the Fisher King continues that trend. The problem is that Starlight also needs his relationship with Joanne to be cartoonishly perfect to give him his more grizzled and shattered outlook and to again rip-off Unforgiven. It all adds up to a story that feels very unsure of how it wants to frame its 1 female character. So yeah Starlight #2 was an improvement and 1 I might tentatively recommend but I'm still not sure this series is headed anywhere good. Read Full Review

Saying that, the conceit of this thing - sort of a more fun Tombstone-in-space deal - is still very much alive and can very easily be capitalized upon next issue, which promises the kind of space-based action we've been looking forward to since its announcement. Like with most Millar's stuff, I'm still on-board, but as always seems to be the case with his books, Starlight, like its main character, now teeters on the edge between the bold and the same-old, same-old. Read Full Review

melt_man

Apr 07, 2014

This continues to impress. After the first issue, I wasn't sure that the return to Tantalus was a good idea since the concept of him on Earth was great, but this did not disappoint. It has taken a permanent spot on my pull list.

JBL Reviews

Apr 05, 2014

Starlight 2 was a great issue to learn about Duke. The series obviously will be having a character driven focus, and this book did a good job of teaching us a lot about its protagonist.

Gizmo

May 17, 2014

"Don't Shoot! I'm only eighty-six!" What a great line to open with. We're in for a wild ride with this series.

Master Destructo

Aug 04, 2014

Huh. I have to admit, I didn't really enjoy this issue too much. It's a surprise, since the first one was SO great. The story itself consisted mainly of a conversation between Duke and the "spaceboy" who'd come to recruit him. First Duke says no since he's too old. Then, apparently after some thought process that we're not privy to, he says yes. Then they fly to Tantalus, which apparently takes just three seconds. Even though interstellar travel is so easy, no one has bothered coming to Earth since there's "nothing to see." But they write songs and build statues and celebrate Duke on Tantalus. It doesn't make sense that no one would have contacted him before now to say, "hey--we've invented warp travel, so feel free to visit anytim e." The art also seemed a little sparse. Even the double page spread seemed plain and geometrical and uninspired. Svorcina, whose colors I love over on Thor, forgoes the atmospherics she's so good at, and renders everything in a consistently flat manner. It's been awhile since a first issue had so much promise and such a bland follow-up. Hopefully it's just a sophomore slump and #3 will pick back up. more