Posts Tagged gabriel ba

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas

Written by Gerard Way

Art by Gabriel Ba

Dark Horse

Another January, and another Umbrella Academy book is the pick of the month. If you can’t tell by now, I’m a little obsessed with this series. I like starting off the new year with a selection that makes me smile from ear to ear, and no other series tickles me pinker than The Umbrella Academy.

In this second volume, Dallas, we see the aftermath of the White Violin’s rampage from Apocalypse Suite, and once again the team is disbanded. Space Boy is more like the Pillsbury Doughboy, The Rumor is left speechless by her deranged and amnesiac sister, the Séance is now a celebrity, Kraken is the only member trying to fight crime, and Number Five is down on his luck at the race track. Not exactly the team we fell in love with. After being visited by a small army of Temps Aeternalis agents, things get set in motion for Number Five, then eventually the whole team as well.

This volume is packed with back story of Number Five, and how he became the ultimate killing machine we see today. He was labeled an anomaly, and used by the Temps Aeternalis to travel throughout time and correcting mistakes in the time stream. When it eventually comes to assassinating JFK in 1963, his older self rebels. Because of this, JFK goes on being president for eight years, Hargreeves acquires nuclear missiles from him, and eventually the world is destroyed because of it. It is extremely important for Number Five to go back in time to finish the job, and the rest of the team is forced to get involved.

Whether it is the past, present, or future, Gabriel Ba is able to execute the pages flawlessly. This time around, he even took over for illustrating the covers as well. From the breathtaking landscapes of Vietnam, to the office at the end of time, he continues to bring us amazing visuals that only his art style is capable of delivering for a series like this. Add a dash of Dave Stewart once again on colors, and it’s eye candy of the highest caliber.

While I patiently wait for the third volume, Hotel Oblivion, it gives me endless time and pleasure to relive such wonderful storytelling by Gerard Way. I think with the completion of this volume, he finally earned the much-deserved respect from the pickiest of comic book fans. He is one of us, and he’s not one of these blow-hard musicians trying to make a quick buck that we’ve seen examples of time and time again. Yes, Hotel Oblivion is currently on hiatus due to My Chemical Romance touring, but after delivering to us two absolutely spectacular volumes so far, I will gladly wait patiently for the next one. It’s not like he’s going to pull a Warren Ellis and take an eternity to deliver on something he started years ago, right? Right?

The best thing going for this series is that it’s a lot like Hellboy; anyone can pick up any volume, and still have a great reading experience. You don’t need years of continuity to enjoy it, for it is easily accessible to comic readers of young and old. While waiting for the third volume in 2011, why not treat yourself with the first two this month? Where else can you get red licorice vines and instant Armageddon?

Nowhere else in comics, I can assure you.

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