The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite #1

Seven children are adopted by a man referred to as the Monocle. They each have unique abilities and share their first adventure at the age of ten. The team disbands but comes together once again when the Monocle unexpectedly dies. 

The Umbrella Academy was written and created by Gerard Way. He creates a broad collection of characters each with unique abilities and gifts that separate them from one another, but ultimately unite them together in the face of armageddon. It's a beautiful, creative, imaginative and tragic story that under normal circumstances might come off as strange and bizarre, but flow together seamlessly to create such a vivid and unique experience unlike anything else you've come across in the pages of comics. 

At times I felt like I wasn't getting enough character development. I wanted to learn more about these characters so badly as I was completely fascinated with the story and where it seemed to be heading. Gerard Way does shed a little insight to the characters past throughout the story, but he always leaves you with a hunger for more. The interplay among the members of the team has you hooked from the very start. That being said I do hope in the next series we learn more about the characters such as personality traits and motives.

The format in which this comic is presented is so unique. At the end of each issue we get some type of quote, saying or fact that only enhances the comic experience. One such quote reads as followed;

"Two bodies have I

Both joined in one

The stiller I stand

The faster I run"

The art is by Gabriel Ba who designs some beautiful and evocative art which perfectly suits this story. The style is a little cartoonish with a darker tone. The coloring by Dave Stewart is sublime. Together they bring life to these peculiar characters and the world they inhabit so vividly. The covers are so beautifully designed that they fill you with excitement and anticipation at the endless possibilities that are about to occur in the pursuing issue. The sketches at the end are nice to see as certain characters appearances changed throughout the creation process. 

The Umbrella Academy is such a unique comic experience that I would recommend it to all comic readers. It's worth the time and money to invest in. Everything about it is great from the storytelling to the artwork. It's a different spin on the superhero team genre and unlike anything else on the market.