THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY: APOCALYPSE SUITE #6 REVIEW

Ryan Broussard · #1 February 26th 2008, 01:57 PM

Reviewer: Ryan Broussard ryanb1114@yahoo.com
Quick Rating: Terrific!
Title: Finale or, Brothers and Sisters, I am an Atomic Bomb: Apocalypse Suite Part 6

Vanya tries to destroy the world…

Writers: Gerald Way
Pencils: Gabriel Ba
Colors: Dave Steward
Letters: Blambot’s Nate Piekos
Editor: Scott Allie
Cover Art: James Jean
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

The Umbrella Academy’s first volume is officially over now and let me continue to say, as I have in past reviews, that this book was such a pleasant surprise. Too much controversy was amuck when this series started with regards to its writer, Gerard Way. People claimed that this would be an “Emo” book and would reflect the same type of mood that is set in the music of Way’s band, My Chemical Romance. In other words, comic fans were weary about Way’s skills as an actual comic book scribe. To those people I cannot express enough that your fears are misplaced and Umbrella Academy: The Apocalypse Suite is one of the most original, clever, and fun stories I have read in a long time.

This issue is the climax of the series and it plays out in a whole lot of action between Vanya and her siblings. Vanya, the outcast of the Umbrella siblings, was transformed into Madame Violin and since then has been creating chaos with her deadly sounds. In the last issues we saw the death of Mr. Pogo, which was really disappointed but not predictable at all. Here Vanya is trying to raise her death count even more. The siblings battle it out in a terrific and smart battle. Number 5 once again reminds me as to why he has become my favorite character; which is pretty ironic because I would never have pegged him as my favorite when this series started. I have to say I really enjoy the scene with Séance as well. I thought that was pretty funny and pretty clever indeed.

Way has definitely convinced me of his skills and consider me a fan. He has a grasp on character progression and on pacing a book. I truly hope this is not the last time we hear from his characters.

The artwork by Gabriel Ba could not be more perfect for this book. He executes each character and their design flawlessly and I could not image another artist working on these characters. Ba is a master in the works. I feel his work, much like Mike Mignola’s, will be seen as classic designs and panel work in the future. Also in regards to art I feel that this is Dave Steward’s best work on colors. He really upped his game.

In sum, this book is an instant classic that I hope gets more attention in the long run. I love what was done with the characters and the story. This was very original and far out. In fact, I would say I have not felt so curious and intrigued about a bunch of characters, as I do these, since I first read Hellboy way back when.

Definitely pick this up along with the previous issues.

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gregorv · #2 February 26th 2008, 02:25 PM

Ryan...have u given a 5 rating to every single issue?

Im definately picking this trade up...your reviews have convinced me to...I havent heard anyone say anything bad about this...

Ryan Broussard · #3 February 26th 2008, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gregorv

Ryan...have u given a 5 rating to every single issue?

Im definately picking this trade up...your reviews have convinced me to...I havent heard anyone say anything bad about this...

I believe I did....This was the biggest surprise of 2007 and into 08....I just really enjoyed it...

If you like Hellboy I cannot recommend this enough

SinisteR626 · #4 February 26th 2008, 03:31 PM

I'm not a Chemical Romance fan at all but Ba's art sold me on this book after seeing his work in 24/7 vol. 2. I was surprised by how much I liked the story. It was just a really fun ride to be on.

I'm sad to see this book go.