Michael Terracciano and Garth Graham created a unique comic
and a one-of-a-kind comic character when they created Star Power. What started as a simple space adventure with
a new star-powered super hero in Star
Power and the Ninth Wormhole, continued as a space opera that not only more
defined the characters, but opened up more questions about the star power and
where it came from in Star Power and the
Search for Black Hole Bill. Now, with this third graphic novel in the
series, Terracciano and Graham conclude the so-called origin story of Star
Power by sending Danica Maris on a quest to learn more about her power and
whether she truly is the last Star Powered Sentinel.
The Mystery of the Zel
Gux Dynasty is more than just a discovery quest about the Zel Gux Dynasty
and why Danica’s star power seems to have no knowledge of these alien
creatures. It’s also a path of discovery
for Danica and her friends. Readers
learn more about the Countess and the reason she is who and what she is. Readers get another glimpse of the Void
Angels and their thirst for vengeance against the Star Power (as well as a
change of heart in one of them). And
readers will see the camaraderie, friendship, and jealousies grow within the
group as they travel from one world to the next to find the keys that will lead
to Danica’s ultimate discovery – is she truly the last Star Power, or do more
Sentinels exist?
Terracciano provides a fantastic sci-fi ride through space
and star systems, with each planet unique in its inhabitants, their interaction
with Danica’s team, and the fallout from Danica’s discovery on each planet.
Danica’s relationship entanglements with Beena and Burke are also explored as
Danica learns how to deal with jealousy and how people can change, regardless of
their vocation and history. Graham
maintains his beautiful art, with panels and angles that are cinematic and
moving in nature, keeping the story going at a pace that moves not only the
action, but the reader, forward. The
intermittent jumps between Danica’s story and the psychological interrogation
of the Countess play flawlessly against one another, and the brief interludes
to drop subplots never interrupt the flow of the story at all, but rather leave
the reader wanting for more.
I love Danica’s almost-child-like innocence with her star
power; but it’s her determination and her willingness to sacrifice anything for
her friends and for others that truly defines her as a hero. She’s not in it because someone killed her
parents, or because her home planet exploded, or because of any other tragic
event in her life. She’s also not doing
it because she feels she has to, or because she has been ordered to do so. Danice, a/k/a Star Power, is using her powers
for good, to help people, because that’s simply who she is, and quite frankly,
she enjoys doing it. For me, the Star
Power series is a completely refreshing take on the super hero / sci-fi story,
and I give Terracciano and Graham the highest praise for sticking with it and
providing truly entertaining, fun stories.
This is truly what comics are meant to be!
I’m hoping this is not the last graphic novel in the series.
While the online comic appears to be continuing, both the writer and artist
indicate in their introduction to this third book that this could possibly be
the final printed book, depending on sales.
Hopefully, sales will be enough to continue with printed collections, as
I definitely want to see more Star Power!
RATING: 9 flying sand
dragons out of 10 for neatly wrapping up a lot of loose plot threads, while
leaving just enough story open to continue the tale of Danica Maris – the Star
Power.
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