PRODIGY: SLAVES OF MARS #2, by Dark Horse Comics & Millarworld on 9/11/24, pairs Edison Crane with his smarter, older brother to discover why their father was murdered by the man who wants them dead.
Credits:
- Writer: Mark Millar
- Artist: Stefano Landini
- Colorist: Michele Assarasakorn
- Letterer: Clem Robins
- Cover Artist: Stefano Landini
- Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
- Release Date: September 11, 2024
- Comic Rating: Mature
- Cover Price: $4.99
- Page Count: 28
- Format: Single Issue
Covers:
Analysis of PRODIGY: SLAVES OF MARS #2:
First Impressions:
What do you get when you combine hip, cool, super-genius intrigue with a grand conspiracy of the Earth-shaking variety? You get Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #2 and confirmation that Mark Millar’s self-titled imprint, Millarworld, is delivering the most eclectic, entertaining, and imaginative comics around.
Plot Analysis:
When last we left Edison Crane in Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #1, his company, assets, and entire life were turned upside down by evil genius Froth Schroeder. Wounded and on the run for a murder he didn’t commit, Edison arrives at the doorstep of the only person who might help – his older, smarter brother Elijah.
In Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #2, we begin with estranged brothers getting reacquainted as Elijah patches up Edison’s wounds. We learn through their conversation that Elijah is the smarter of the two, and he chose to drop off the gird years ago because the pressurized stress of their constantly hectic lives became too much. Elijah is fine with helping Edison get back on his feet, but he has no intention of going after Froth Schroeder to avenge their father’s death.
Writer Mark Millar starts the issue on an informative note by introducing Elijah, informing readers of his family history, and establishing a contentious relationship with Edison. Millar continues to show he’s a master at new character introduction they tell you so much with laser-precise efficiency and authenticity.
Unfortunately, Froth Schroeder pops up on Elijah’s big screen TV and tells the brothers the cops are on their way. Realizing he has no choice but to get involved, Elijah and Edison flee the apartment and make a beeline for the research facility and the Mars project their father was working on. After a few brief stops to find weapons and concoct useful knockout and truth serum drugs, the brothers infiltrate the facility. There, they find several startling secrets.
Millar wisely doesn’t waste time with the trip or supporting scenes that don’t contribute to the main plot. There’s a bad habit among modern writers of slowing down, explaining everything, and wasting time on minutiae. Millar wastes no time and leaves the explanations to organically crafted exposition dialog.
Inside the research station, Elijah uses a homemade version of truth serum to get the guard to spill the beans on their father’s project. A space mission to Mars never made it past the Moon, but the research station holds many artifacts of Martian origin, pointing to an alien species that ruled Earth from Mars hundreds of thousands of years ago. What the Crane brothers don’t know is how the project obtained the artifacts, why Froth Schroeder is after them, or what their father discovered that got him killed.
The issue concludes with rocket bombs, mind-controlling butterflies, and the coolest brother a super genius ever had.
Overall, Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #2 expands and improves on the first issue by introducing a perfect partner for Edison with common goals and instant chemistry. Mark Millar packs every moment with purpose and wit to make nerdy geniuses look cool as Hell.
Artwork and Presentation:
Stefano Landini’s semi-realistic style is a smart choice for this brand of story. Elijah has a relaxed charm that immediately puts you at ease through his clothes and mannerisms, which is precisely the right personality presentation to make this story work.
Art Samples:
The Bigger Picture:
Series Continuity:
Despite their obvious rapport and contentious history, this series is the first time Edison Crane’s family has played a part in his adventures or been mentioned at all. In effect, Elijah is a brand new character to the series, if not to Edison.
Final Thoughts:
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PRODIGY: SLAVES OF MARS #2 pairs up Edison with his older brother to evade capture and find out why their father was murdered. Mark Millar delivers a script packed with cool moments, gobs of charm, and admirable efficiency in moving a captivating story forward. Plus, Stefano Landin’s grounded, semi-realistic art suits the personalities of the characters perfectly.
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