REVIEW: True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - National Anthem #1
“This one's for all of you rock'n'rollers
All you crash queens and motor babies
Listen up! Killjoys, make some noise!”
-”Look Alive Sunshine,” My Chemical Romance
True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem #1 is out October 14, 2020.
By Larry Jorash — Look alive, Sunshine! Oh, how the music world has missed the wildly creative and intense music of My Chemical Romance and front man Gerard Way. When not working with the band, Way has spent time becoming a major force in the comic book industry. His pen has stretched from the alleyways of Gotham City to the fateful grassy knoll of Dallas, TX, circa 1963. Way consistently deploys a shamelessly bizarre storytelling style aimed at niche ideas and properties. For Way fans picking up his new comic True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - National Anthem #1 today, be sure to have the album Danger Days cranked in your headphones, because the nostalgia is coming.
From page one, the unmistakably vivid and wild colors of Jordie Bellaire slap readers in the face. We find bright yellow, pink and blue palettes over Leo Romero’s punk-rock pencil work. Knowing where to place specific colors is a crucial part of the job and it’s done in expert fashion here. Pages reflecting melancholy tears turn to pages of aggressive, desert skies with ease because of the precision. The duo of Romero and Bellaire have acquired an impressive level of success as co-creators, and this issue truly thrives by having them bring it to life.
Within this latest journey for the Killjoys, readers find a nod to the classic action-film, The Warriors. It’s in this moment that Nate Piekos drops the mic and plasters in some top notch lettering work with onomatopoeia. Names like, “Pristeens,” and, “Killjoys,” strike across panels like a movie poster header. Blambot is a big name in comics lettering and it’s thanks to the hard work of Nate Piekos. His work here on True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem #1 is just another example of that.
Overall: A) This book is a lot of fun, with no prior reading required. Aesthetically it will please fans of the punk-rock, and anyone who loves a good ‘80s action flick will find this to be a satisfying thrill ride. Most of all, My Chemical Romance fans…the wait is over. The Killjoys are BACK! 9/10
REVIEW: True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - National Anthem #1
True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem #1
Writer: Gerard Way & Shaun Simon
Artist: Leonardo Romero
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Nate Piekos of Blambot
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Price: $3.99
The Fabulous Killjoys, once a group of teenage exterminators determined to save reality, have lost their way--and their memories. After a period of mental confinement, former Killjoys leader Mike Milligram gets de-programmed and hits the road to bring the gang back together for a final showdown against an evil pharmaceutical corporation, their monstrous hitman, and savage gang rivals.
Buy It Digitally: True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys - National Anthem #1
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Larry Jorash resides in Central Florida managing a comic book shop and coaching youth sports. In his spare time he enjoys watching ice hockey and reading. You will almost never find his hand vacant of coffee. Find him on twitter: (@theREALlarbear)
