The Midas Flesh #1 (of 8)
Published by Boom! Box (Boom! Studios)
Written by Ryan North
Art by Shelli Paroline & Braden Lamb
Boom! Studios had the right idea with their newest division, Boom Box. Think of this as the "Fox Searchlight" to Boom; more off-the-beaten path, more outside-the-box ideas that are given special consideration as far as time allotted to build an audience is concerned. I must say, I've yet to read a book in recent months as outside the box as The Midas Flesh.
North has some very interesting ideas with the two parallel storylines, one set in the far-flung future and one in the distant past. The future characters prepare for a secret mission in a forbidden sector of space, while the past story focuses on the excess and lavish lifestyle of those characters. Both sets of characters were unique and quirky enough to leave a lasting impression. (One of the groups gave me a Red Dwarf vibe; the others brought back fond memories of Hercules: The Legendary Journeys). My concern: there didn't seem to be any sort of thematic bridge between both threads. When the two threads inevitably merge, it feels like it's by happenstance, not planned. Also, the dialogue didn't quite flow, and the landing wasn't nailed with much banter.
Paroline and Lamb gave the book energy. The thick line work and character "acting" were spot on. There were some lush backgrounds and economical layouts that didn't waste space on unnecessary splashes. The colors, though, fell a bit short. The Earth scenes had a strong palette, but space should have used more flare stars, auroras, and photospheres.
I am convinced enough to see this mini-series through to the end. The first chapter was rough around the edges, but the originality alone warrants further reading. -3.5 out of 5
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