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glitter_n_goreI'm only six episodes in, but I can't hold it back any longer: I need to gush about The Umbrella Academy.
In sharp contrast to my experience with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I actually have read the comics this time. There are currently three out of a projected eight graphic novels in Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá's Eisner-winning series. The first volume, "Apocalypse Suite," is the basis for the Netflix show's storyline so far. And guys, I am trying to curb my squee somewhat for the sake of decorum, but I am more excited about this series than possibly anything else that is happening this year.
I'm not really a close follower of comics in general, but I have been following the development of this one in particular for a very long time. How long, you ask? Well, somewhere in the stretch of time between My Chemical Romance's Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge and The Black Parade, when the band released a video diary called Life On the Murder Scene. Which is where this happened:
So *checks DVD release date* thirteen years. I have been on-board for this for thirteen years. I didn't know what the half-formed concepts and character sketches Gerard was brainstorming between stops on tour would become back then, but he did use his success as a rock star to get his foot in the door with Dark Horse comics, and hooked up with Gabriel Bá to illustrate it. The first single issues for Umbrella Academy came out right on the heels of The Black Parade--in fact, "What is the name of Gerard's new comic book series?" was one of the trivia questions at the Hot Topic listening party. (Yes, I went to the Hot Topic listening party, because I am Emo Trash and always will be.) It is the only comic series for which I've made the effort to collect single issues. It was so well received, the trade paperback included a glowing introduction from comic superstar, Neil Gaiman.
It's impossible to say how much of a difference, if any, MCR superfans made in getting the word out and putting our buying power behind this title, but we did what we could. So if you're wondering why much of the squee surrounding the show is a combination of non-sequitur quotes of MCR song lyrics and/or puns on same--there's your answer. Long story short: I had expectations going into the Netflix series. Each teaser, cast photo, and soundtrack release has only stoked that flame higher. So there's no way the show could possibly be awesome enough to meet those expectations, right? I've been getting my hopes up too much to possibly be satisfied, right?
WRONG!
There are a few people (~Professional reviewers mostly) out there saying stuff like the pace is too slow, or too much time is spent on character development. These people are wrong. The show is excellent, and it's not just my bias talking. You guys should know by now my highest priority is character, more so than plot or atmosphere. When all three are hitting the sweet spot at once, you get lightning in a bottle. Also, there is a lot of story here. This has time travel, the end of the world, a death in the family, multiple impossible pregnancies, and that's all just the first episode. It goes for the throat both dramatically and thematically, so it needs room to breathe. The hour-long episodes slip by in a hurry, and every member of this delightfully dysfunctional family--plus the supporting cast--all get time to show us who they are, and make us care about their fates.
I was on the verge of rereading "Apocalypse Suite" before watching the show, but I'm actually glad I didn't. I remember how this ends, but not all the details about how we get there. Let me be clear: there are differences between the comic and the show, mostly aesthetic ones. For example, the characters are exclusively referred to here by their given names, rather than their superhero monikers like "Space Boy" and "Kraken" and "Rumor." And the comics hint at what the family's lives were like as children, where the show gives us more substantial flashbacks to fill in the gaps. The weirdest thing about this is I think I might like the show even more than the comics. The way music is used to help tell the story is a big part of that, as music is a huge part of one specific character's arc.
As I said, I'm only six episodes in. And I'm already well and truly hooked. The Umbrella Academy is violent, strange, irreverent, and brimming with an unexpected amount of heart. Do yourself a favor and add it to your queue. Now, I've gotta get back to binging.
In sharp contrast to my experience with the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I actually have read the comics this time. There are currently three out of a projected eight graphic novels in Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá's Eisner-winning series. The first volume, "Apocalypse Suite," is the basis for the Netflix show's storyline so far. And guys, I am trying to curb my squee somewhat for the sake of decorum, but I am more excited about this series than possibly anything else that is happening this year.
I'm not really a close follower of comics in general, but I have been following the development of this one in particular for a very long time. How long, you ask? Well, somewhere in the stretch of time between My Chemical Romance's Three Cheers For Sweet Revenge and The Black Parade, when the band released a video diary called Life On the Murder Scene. Which is where this happened:
So *checks DVD release date* thirteen years. I have been on-board for this for thirteen years. I didn't know what the half-formed concepts and character sketches Gerard was brainstorming between stops on tour would become back then, but he did use his success as a rock star to get his foot in the door with Dark Horse comics, and hooked up with Gabriel Bá to illustrate it. The first single issues for Umbrella Academy came out right on the heels of The Black Parade--in fact, "What is the name of Gerard's new comic book series?" was one of the trivia questions at the Hot Topic listening party. (Yes, I went to the Hot Topic listening party, because I am Emo Trash and always will be.) It is the only comic series for which I've made the effort to collect single issues. It was so well received, the trade paperback included a glowing introduction from comic superstar, Neil Gaiman.
It's impossible to say how much of a difference, if any, MCR superfans made in getting the word out and putting our buying power behind this title, but we did what we could. So if you're wondering why much of the squee surrounding the show is a combination of non-sequitur quotes of MCR song lyrics and/or puns on same--there's your answer. Long story short: I had expectations going into the Netflix series. Each teaser, cast photo, and soundtrack release has only stoked that flame higher. So there's no way the show could possibly be awesome enough to meet those expectations, right? I've been getting my hopes up too much to possibly be satisfied, right?
WRONG!
There are a few people (~Professional reviewers mostly) out there saying stuff like the pace is too slow, or too much time is spent on character development. These people are wrong. The show is excellent, and it's not just my bias talking. You guys should know by now my highest priority is character, more so than plot or atmosphere. When all three are hitting the sweet spot at once, you get lightning in a bottle. Also, there is a lot of story here. This has time travel, the end of the world, a death in the family, multiple impossible pregnancies, and that's all just the first episode. It goes for the throat both dramatically and thematically, so it needs room to breathe. The hour-long episodes slip by in a hurry, and every member of this delightfully dysfunctional family--plus the supporting cast--all get time to show us who they are, and make us care about their fates.
I was on the verge of rereading "Apocalypse Suite" before watching the show, but I'm actually glad I didn't. I remember how this ends, but not all the details about how we get there. Let me be clear: there are differences between the comic and the show, mostly aesthetic ones. For example, the characters are exclusively referred to here by their given names, rather than their superhero monikers like "Space Boy" and "Kraken" and "Rumor." And the comics hint at what the family's lives were like as children, where the show gives us more substantial flashbacks to fill in the gaps. The weirdest thing about this is I think I might like the show even more than the comics. The way music is used to help tell the story is a big part of that, as music is a huge part of one specific character's arc.
As I said, I'm only six episodes in. And I'm already well and truly hooked. The Umbrella Academy is violent, strange, irreverent, and brimming with an unexpected amount of heart. Do yourself a favor and add it to your queue. Now, I've gotta get back to binging.