MORNING STAR #2 – New Comic Review

MORNING STAR #2, by Mad Cave Studios on 5/8/24, brings the Garrett family one step closer to closure when they complete a “Spreading The Ashes” ceremony that dredges up old memories.

Credits:

• Writer: DB Andry, Tim Daniel
• Artist: Marco Finnegan
• Colorist: Jason Wordie
• Letterer: Justin Birch
• Cover Artist: Marco Finnegan
• Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
• Release Date: May 8, 2024
• Comic Rating: Teen
• Cover Price: 4.99
• Page Count: 28
• Format: Single Issue

Covers:

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Analysis of MORNING STAR #2:

Plot Analysis:

Previously, we met the Garret family preparing for a trip out to a cabin in the woods as a pilgrimage of closure following the death of Mr. Garrett, a smokejumper. We saw in a prologue that the circumstances of Mr. Garrett’s death were anything but explainable when his fellow firefighters disintegrated after being caught in a Time distortion.

Now, Mom, the overly imaginative Charlie, and steadfast Marabeth say their goodbyes by casting their father’s ashes to the winds from the balcony of their elevated cabin/watchtower. Mom remembers how her husband felt a duty to enter dangerous situations because he could, but Charlie and Marabeth still need support over the prospect of living life without a father.

The next morning, Mom wakes up to Marabeth preparing breakfast. When Mom looks for Charlie to wish him a good morning, Charlie is nowhere to be found. What follows is a frantic search for Charlie in the surrounding woods.

Character Development: 

From a character development point of view, Andry and Daniel crank up the deep, heartfelt, emotional moments that give the Garrett family an authentically human quality. You feel for the Mom and her kids in the worst and best ways, almost driving you to reach into the page and give them a big hug. If sympathy/empathy was the goal, the writers succeeded mightily.

Artwork and Presentation: 

Marco Finnegan’s art is shy on fine linework and details, but he nails the heart of what counts. The characters’ postures, gestures, and facial expressions convey copious amounts of feeling in every panel. Yes, you’d be right in saying the backgrounds couldn’t get any more low fidelity if you tried, but the lack of refinement is more than made up for with Jason Wordie’s mood and atmosphere through the coloring.

Art Samples:

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Pacing and Structure:

Now we get down to the brass tacks. Sadly, this pacing and structure make this a frustrating issue, almost to the point of a turnoff for the rest of the series. The mood is great, the atmosphere is palpable, and everyone is wearing their heartache on their respective sleeves, but realistically, nothing happens in this issue.

Issue #1 grabbed you with the implication that some supernatural occurrence is afoot. When we catch up with the family a year later, there’s an inkling (especially through Charlie’s vision on the last pages) that some event is on the horizon. In this issue, a wife remembers her husband, and the kids remember their father, Charlie disappears, and that’s it.

In short, the plot pacing slowed to a crawl.

The hook alluded to in the first issue doesn’t budge an inch, and you’re left wondering if the story won’t get to the point until issue three or four. When all you have are five issues, every issue needs to count. As emotionally powerful as it is, this issue doesn’t feel like it counts.

Thematic Exploration: 

If it wasn’t clear enough, Andry and Daniel nail the struggle of a family collectively grieving while reacting to their grief in different ways consistent with their individual personalities. Loss is a heavy topic, but the creators handle it with aplomb.

Final Thoughts:

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MORNING STAR #2 is a poignant, deep, emotional exploration of a family in mourning, leading (maybe) to a supernatural event. Andry and Daniel’s character work is next level, and the art team masterfully uses mod to enhance the narrative. That said, the plot barely moves an inch, so readers waiting for a hook will be left frustrated.

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