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Star-Crossed #1 is written by Mark Millar and published by Dark Horse. Artwork is by Corrado Mastantuono, colours by Niso Mastantuono and letters by Clem Robins. Main cover art (left) is by Corrado Mastantuono.
Star-Crossed #1 is available from today, in comic book stores and on digital platforms where all good comic books are sold. Grab your physical copy from Forbidden Planet or digitally from Amazon Comixology UK.
Synopsis
The two greatest thieves in the universe have a price on their heads, and every single bounty hunter alive is out to collect it. Thena Khole and Cody Blue have been living the high life since they robbed the richest woman in the universe, but they put a price on their heads when they did so, and the galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter is now after them for the biggest payday of his career.
Review
Over the years, Mark Millar has given us many classic titles such as Kick-Ass, Wolverine: Old Man Logan and The Ultimates. However, Millar has also been one for controversy, given his edgier efforts like Wanted or The Authority, which can make approaching his newer comics rather tricky. His new series, Star-Crossed, occupies an interesting place, as it is a continuation of a previous Millar title, Space Bandits, yet it also hits the ground running as a standalone narrative. Does it work? Let’s find out.
If it wasn’t clear already, I have not read Space Bandits, so I will be judging this new series on its own merits and whether it works as its own entity. The short answer is yes, for the most part. Star-Crossed is very much going for that Thelma and Louise style story of two friends on the run…but in space.
To start with, Thena and Cody do make for an interesting duo. Their constant rapport with one another isn’t anything special, but it establishes the type of relationship they have and works for creating a banterous, playful tone when it focuses on their perspective. The dynamic, at least where the dialogue is concerned, naturally plays off their history together allows Millar and co to explore potential tensions that could arise between the two of them.
Star-Crossed wastes no time at all getting into its story and worldbuilding. Some of this is courtesy of Millar’s writing, but a lot of it comes from Corrado Mastantuono’s art. The style here, which I assume is carried over from Space Bandits, works for the sci-fi aesthetic this world is set in, merging 80s fashion with 60s idea of the future that doesn’t seem to be tacky and is instead more retro. The look doesn’t distract from the storytelling, instead enhancing the quieter moments that otherwise would be kind of dull.
As entertaining as the setup, characters, and setpieces can be, the main problem this series suffers from is that it isn’t doing anything to differentiate itself from other media that use a ‘crooks-on-the-run’ narrative. The setting and designs do set Star-Crossed apart from a visual point of view, but that is literally it. Though it isn’t bad by any means, this type of thing has been done before, and better.
Star-Crossed is a decent enough read in its own right, and those who are up to date with Space Bandits will probably get the most of it, but as its own thing…it’s solid enough without being too exciting to bring new readers back for more.
Verdict
Though Star-Crossed probably works best for pre-existing fans of the Space Bandits universe, as a standalone story, it is pretty decent even if it borrows heavily from other works ‘vigilantes-on-the-run’ tales we’ve seen before.
⭐⭐⭐
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