This is definitely the first time in my history of buying comics that I have bought two Dark Horse comics in the same week. That’s nothing against the publisher, I just tend to buy all the Mignola stuff in trade. When you mix one of my favourite artists in with the return to comics of Umbrella Academy’s writer (he was also in some band, I think…) then you get my interest!

I LOVED The Umbrella Academy. Yes, the main attraction was the peerless art by Gabriel Bá, but I was stunned at how much I enjoyed the story-telling from Way – whose lyrics had always struck me as reasonably passable. Killjoys doesn’t really break too much new ground in the dystopian genre, preferring instead to revel in its influences. Mad Max, Blade Runner and more than a hint of Way’s idol Grant Morrison (who shine through every page of this.

And what glorious pages. I’ve been a huge fan of Becky Cloonan since American Virgin and have been ecstatic to see her star on the rise as of late. This might be her best work so far as every single image jumps off the page with a pop-art punch to the throat! Huge props need to go Dan Jackson’s colours too, as the whole package just looks amazing.

This an often-bewildering, always exciting, totally captivating sequel to a concept album I never listened to and I love it already!

(more general enthusiasm available at vaguelymarkish.wordpress.com)