Umbrella Academy Dallas #4 (OF 6)

I came to a realisation when reading this issue, this is what I want comic book to look like.

Gabriel Ba and Dave Stewart have a wonderful method of producing pages which instantly convey a wide range of emotions and atmosphere. Within this issue alone Ba portrays a blood splatter mafia-style execution, a kitsch 1960’s Americana household and the eye of a nuclear explosion. Each character in the story weather sincere or lucidus, is endeared to the reader though a simplicity of line and energetic colour. Almost like the bastard child of Tim Burton and Alex Toth. However the ultimate tone of the book comes down to one of irony, the artist tongue must be planted firmly in cheek.

Even the design and production of the issue is addressed with care. The re-cap page on the front cover’s interior has a slight sense of Dr. Strangelove to it.

Credit must also be given to Gerald Way, the idiosyncratic characters and senses of the book are his brainchild after-all. The story progresses nicely, all be it in an unexpected way. Indeed, even the destruction of the earth happen in a anti-climatic whimper in this issue.

Very good