Rating: 5/5 – This Series Is Set To Go Anywhere and Everywhere.
by ComicSpectrum reviewer Shawn Hoklas.
In looking at Mike Allred’s art not only on the cover, but within this third issue of Silver Surfer you could get the feeling that the story isn’t serious, or that this iteration of the character isn’t staying true to who this character has been in the past. That couldn’t be farther from the truth. Mike Allred and Dan Slott are treating this beloved character with respect, and yes the style is typical Allred with a heavy silver age feel to it, but that’s just one of the things that make this new Silver Surfer series so special. It’s a fresh take on the character that has struggled in recent years to maintain a series on his own, which is a shame as he’s one of Marvel’s most unique creations.
Michael Allred handles the art, while Laura Allred handles the colors and of course their partnership has created magic on the page. It’s an art style that pays homage to the best silver age artists of the past, but has a modern design and color sense. There’s no clutter to the page and the amount of lines used is never too much. It feels as though each line has a purpose, and although the Allred’s characters can feel heavy at times by using such a heavy black line, they feel as though they actually exist within the panel. The colors within this issue are all over the spectrum which sounds as though it would look undefined, but for the story involved it absolutely works. Laura Allred doesn’t use a whole lot of gradient to deepen the colors, but instead embraces the solid tones which again makes the book feel as though it’s from a different time.
As far as story goes, much like Surfer stories of the past, co-writer Dan Slott presents the reader with a new world and a sense of wonder. Supporting character Dawn Greenwood is the character that the reader can relate to as she’s comfortable in her home town, preferring the routine and monotony of a simple life. As she’s thrown into this new world, their interactions are wonderful to read being both cute and humorous, while the world around them feels epic, and of course cosmic in scope.
Slott and Allred have found a great balance between the two types of worlds and as this third issue wraps up the first story line, the pieces are now in place for this series to move forward. As the tagline for the title says, “Anywhere and Everywhere–Hang On!”.
Reviewed by: Shawn Hoklas
(shawn@comicspectrum.com)
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