Star #1
- WRITER
- Kelly Thompson
- Artist
- Javier Pina, Filipe Andrade
- Letterer
- VC's Clayton Cowles
- Cover Artist
- Carmen Carnero, Jesus Aburtov
- Publisher
- Marvel Comics
- Price
- 3.99
- Release Date
- 2020-01-08
- Colorist
- Jesus Aburtov
Ripley Ryan is a complicated character, to put it mildly. After being deemed something of a villain by a huge chunk of New York City in the pages of Captain Marvel, the would-be heroine ventures on a solo outing in Star #1. Of course, she’s getting some much warranted pushback while doing so. The irony is that those giving Ripley static, at least in this debut issue, are not exactly the most noble or warm and cuddly characters in Marvel’s pantheon.
Star #1 is a great debut issue, from a writer who, when working with the right characters, is one of the better scribes currently working for Marvel Comics. Kelly Thompson is quite prolific, which means not everything she writes will sing to every reader (but again, no one knocks it out of the park, every game). When Thompson works with specific characters, though, her writing is incredibly strong. Give her Rogue and Gambit, and she’ll deliver the best swashbuckling romantic comedy you never knew you wanted needed. Put Jessica Jones in her hands, and you get the best version of the character since Brain Michael Bendis and Michael Gaydos’ conception of the hard-drinking, superhero private detective.
If the quality of Star #1 is any indication, the character of Ripley Ryan is in the same stable of Marvel heroes for Thompson. Ripley is ripe for drama and reader connectivity. She’s a grounded force given unbelievable abilities. And while this can be said about most characters in Marvel’s collective oeuvre, Ripley’s impetus in Star #1 seems to hinge on redemption, or at the very least, some level of understanding. Star #1 proves that this quest will not be easily won (Jessica Jones is already stubborn as it is; she doesn't need a new reason).
Star #1 does a great job of catching new readers up on the current happenings involving the character, and sets up some basic ground rules for Star’s Reality Stone-powered abilities (which are pretty cool, if we do say so ourselves). This is heightened by artist Javier Pina's wonderful ability to turn even the most basic, static panel into something to pore over. His style uses classic comic-book sensibilities in its plotting and presentation. The panel structure changes when it needs to, but it never dips into anything terribly abstract. But to be fair, a comic like Star #1 isn't terribly abstract in its storytelling practices.
The only drawback to this debut issue is probably the best problem a comic book can have: it will leave you wanting more. The classic comic pacing is spry and the script divulges plenty of information for possible future plot threads without bogging things down too much. Everything feels very deliberate in Star #1. There are no wasted panels or self-congratulatory throwaway jokes. This is simply a really solid superhero comic book with a fascinating protagonist and a great supporting cast of characters.
With what might be the best comic Kelly Thompson has written for Marvel since the end of Mrs. & Mrs. X (we miss you, nos amours) and incredibly strong art from Javier Pina, Star #1 is a solid recommendation for just about anyone, regardless of their familiarity with the characters.