joshgauthier's review
5.0
Ow. Whenever I think I'm braced for what Tom King will do to me, he delivers another surprise.
As with King's run of Mister Miracle, this was my first encounter with this character--and as with that miniseries, Strange Adventures is a whole lot more than a superhero adventure. Hero of a war the home planet of his wife and child, Adam Strange has returned to Earth, joined the Justice League, and settled into his role as protector. But beginning with a single murder, questions begin to arise. Is Adam Strange a hero or a war criminal? What really happened during the war in Adam's past? What do those secrets mean for the future?
King's complex storytelling is not diminished in this 12-issue run. With nuanced characters, morally gray situations, and a sweeping scope of events, King's writing is epic and complicated, but ultimately is the story of two people, their family, and the traumas visited on them from without and within. Strange Adventures nestles comfortably within the DC Universe while also charting its own course. With cameos from familiar characters--as well as a key role given to the less-familiar Mr. Terrific (in one of his best incarnations that I've read)--this DC world feels even larger as humans, heroes, and others find their lives caught up in the fate of these Strange Adventures.
Bringing King's story to life, the incomparable Mitch Gerads and Doc Shaner each tell the past and present stories of Adam Strange's life. The two art styles help clearly separate the timelines, and both artists bring their full talent to the the action, the intrigue, and the joy and heartbreak of the comic.
Strange Adventures is a superhero story, a war epic, a noir, a family drama. It packs an emotional punch and a wealth of emotional complexity. When the secrets are revealed, will Adam Strange be a hero, a villain--or is he, like many people, something more complicated than either of those titles convey?
As with King's run of Mister Miracle, this was my first encounter with this character--and as with that miniseries, Strange Adventures is a whole lot more than a superhero adventure. Hero of a war the home planet of his wife and child, Adam Strange has returned to Earth, joined the Justice League, and settled into his role as protector. But beginning with a single murder, questions begin to arise. Is Adam Strange a hero or a war criminal? What really happened during the war in Adam's past? What do those secrets mean for the future?
King's complex storytelling is not diminished in this 12-issue run. With nuanced characters, morally gray situations, and a sweeping scope of events, King's writing is epic and complicated, but ultimately is the story of two people, their family, and the traumas visited on them from without and within. Strange Adventures nestles comfortably within the DC Universe while also charting its own course. With cameos from familiar characters--as well as a key role given to the less-familiar Mr. Terrific (in one of his best incarnations that I've read)--this DC world feels even larger as humans, heroes, and others find their lives caught up in the fate of these Strange Adventures.
Bringing King's story to life, the incomparable Mitch Gerads and Doc Shaner each tell the past and present stories of Adam Strange's life. The two art styles help clearly separate the timelines, and both artists bring their full talent to the the action, the intrigue, and the joy and heartbreak of the comic.
Strange Adventures is a superhero story, a war epic, a noir, a family drama. It packs an emotional punch and a wealth of emotional complexity. When the secrets are revealed, will Adam Strange be a hero, a villain--or is he, like many people, something more complicated than either of those titles convey?
haddocks_eyes's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
connerzeuli's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bill_borowski's review
adventurous
tense
I really enjoyed it for the most part, not a huge fan of the ending but it might grow on me. The artwork is gorgeous though and is worth a read for that alone.
crookedtreehouse's review
4.0
By far, one of the best books DC has put out in ages. But that's a pretty low bar in 2023.
Tom King books are always a wonderful, devoted nod to past continuity while staying just outside the current messes. Here, Adam Strange is regarded as a war hero on Raan, but when a major threat to Raan's existence shows interest in conquering Earth, his actions in the Rannian war come into question, and Batman and Mr. Terrific have to puzzle together the truth behind what happened on Rann.
This was my favorite use of Mr. Terrific, and makes me want to go back and read more of his history.
There were some slight annoyances, the ending was oddly paced an unsatisfying, and it seemed like the "pew pew" laser effects were overused. I'm not sure they were. I think ifthe effect had been anything else, it wouldn't have been as noticeable, but every time I saw "pew", I cringed a bit.
If you're a fan of Adam Strange, or the silver agey sci-fi space comics, Tom King's work on [b:The Vision|35838422|The Vision (The Vision, #1-2)|Tom King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517387406l/35838422._SY75_.jpg|57347085], [b:Mister Miracle|39208001|Mister Miracle|Tom King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548140055l/39208001._SY75_.jpg|57475638], or [b:The Omega Men: The End is Here|25790655|The Omega Men The End is Here|Tom King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470552239l/25790655._SY75_.jpg|45641527], then this is probably going to be a four or five star book for you.
Tom King books are always a wonderful, devoted nod to past continuity while staying just outside the current messes. Here, Adam Strange is regarded as a war hero on Raan, but when a major threat to Raan's existence shows interest in conquering Earth, his actions in the Rannian war come into question, and Batman and Mr. Terrific have to puzzle together the truth behind what happened on Rann.
This was my favorite use of Mr. Terrific, and makes me want to go back and read more of his history.
There were some slight annoyances, the ending was oddly paced an unsatisfying, and it seemed like the "pew pew" laser effects were overused. I'm not sure they were. I think ifthe effect had been anything else, it wouldn't have been as noticeable, but every time I saw "pew", I cringed a bit.
If you're a fan of Adam Strange, or the silver agey sci-fi space comics, Tom King's work on [b:The Vision|35838422|The Vision (The Vision, #1-2)|Tom King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1517387406l/35838422._SY75_.jpg|57347085], [b:Mister Miracle|39208001|Mister Miracle|Tom King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1548140055l/39208001._SY75_.jpg|57475638], or [b:The Omega Men: The End is Here|25790655|The Omega Men The End is Here|Tom King|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1470552239l/25790655._SY75_.jpg|45641527], then this is probably going to be a four or five star book for you.
graemedish's review
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I really enjoyed this book but I feel like I’m missing something in the understanding of it. I understand the things that happen but on a deeper level this has me beat for now as most of Tom Kings work has done in the past. With that said this is a strong mystery with some strong opinions on war and what it can take to “win” one. I really enjoyed Adam and as we find out more towards the end of the book I found the revelation rough. If you enjoyed Tom King before you should read it and if you like a mystery.
katepowellshine's review
5.0
So many layers of meaning, I love it. I especially like how the art is more cartoony in the 'heroic' flashbacks.
izzytheniffler's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
david_agranoff's review
4.0
Strange Adventures
I am not a huge comic reader but at some point on Twitter, I saw the cover art for this graphic novel and was intrigued. I knew it was DC comics but they were invoking golden age sci-fi. I was curious I assumed He was a new character and not in the full DC universe. I have no idea the history of the character, who is totally new to me. That said however The Justice League, Superman, Batman, Flash, and Mr. Terrific are in this book. So it is full-on a DC comic book, that said it also has a bit of cosmic feel and scope as Adam is the hero of war fought on the planet Rann. I suspect that his origins are in the Green Lantern comics where much of the DC cosmic stuff comes from.
I don’t totally understand his back story, and I didn’t really need to. I think Adam is human, from the earth, ended up on Rann, who people look human but his wife who is a native clearly talks about their experiences being very different from different worlds. How he ended up on this other world fighting a brutal war, happened in another story. Cool.
He is back on earth, and importantly he is helping the Justice League with an invasion from the same aliens that terrorized Rann. While he does this he promotes his book of war stories and at a book signing, he is accused of war crimes. Adam and his wife who Cleary is managing his affairs want Batman to investigate but the JL sends Mister Terrific.
Based on a 12-issue saga by comic writer Tom King, whose work I now want to read more of. The book is packaged in a beautiful hardcover. The cover art has that golden age look, with an aged look and a giant tagline on the back “Amazing Science Fiction?!” Under the slipcover, it has the fake cover of Adam Strange’s memoir. Very neat design.
I enjoyed the story, at first, I was not excited to have the DC characters but it paid off nicely. The way the Justice League mixed with congressional hearings and co-existed with the government was interesting. Adam’s backstory during the war was also interesting. It seems what Tom King was trying to say was something about how the public and reality of these heroes could and probably is much different from the public perception.
I am not a huge comic reader but at some point on Twitter, I saw the cover art for this graphic novel and was intrigued. I knew it was DC comics but they were invoking golden age sci-fi. I was curious I assumed He was a new character and not in the full DC universe. I have no idea the history of the character, who is totally new to me. That said however The Justice League, Superman, Batman, Flash, and Mr. Terrific are in this book. So it is full-on a DC comic book, that said it also has a bit of cosmic feel and scope as Adam is the hero of war fought on the planet Rann. I suspect that his origins are in the Green Lantern comics where much of the DC cosmic stuff comes from.
I don’t totally understand his back story, and I didn’t really need to. I think Adam is human, from the earth, ended up on Rann, who people look human but his wife who is a native clearly talks about their experiences being very different from different worlds. How he ended up on this other world fighting a brutal war, happened in another story. Cool.
He is back on earth, and importantly he is helping the Justice League with an invasion from the same aliens that terrorized Rann. While he does this he promotes his book of war stories and at a book signing, he is accused of war crimes. Adam and his wife who Cleary is managing his affairs want Batman to investigate but the JL sends Mister Terrific.
Based on a 12-issue saga by comic writer Tom King, whose work I now want to read more of. The book is packaged in a beautiful hardcover. The cover art has that golden age look, with an aged look and a giant tagline on the back “Amazing Science Fiction?!” Under the slipcover, it has the fake cover of Adam Strange’s memoir. Very neat design.
I enjoyed the story, at first, I was not excited to have the DC characters but it paid off nicely. The way the Justice League mixed with congressional hearings and co-existed with the government was interesting. Adam’s backstory during the war was also interesting. It seems what Tom King was trying to say was something about how the public and reality of these heroes could and probably is much different from the public perception.
themtj's review
5.0
Wow, I've enjoyed Tom King's writing since Vision although I find him to be hit-and-miss. This was a full-on hit. This is a masterclass in comic storytelling. The book has an intriguing premise, captivating storytelling, few, but well-developed characters, and is absolutely heart-breaking. I found this book to be deeply depressing, but it is probably in the top five books in terms of the way it hit me emotionally while reading (Daytripper and Underwater Welder would be up there on that list too.)
Also, it is worth noting that the distinct art of Mitch Gerads and Doc Shaner enable the best elements of storytelling in the medium. Time jumps and flashbacks do not need to be explained because the visual style is so distinct for each.
Also, it is worth noting that the distinct art of Mitch Gerads and Doc Shaner enable the best elements of storytelling in the medium. Time jumps and flashbacks do not need to be explained because the visual style is so distinct for each.