Comics Review: "PRODIGY: Slaves of Mars #1" is an Explosive Opener

PRODIGY: SLAVES OF MARS #1 (OF 5)

IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Stefano Landini

COLORS: Michele Assarasakorn

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Stefano Landini with Michele Assarasakorn

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Stefano Landini

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (August 2024)

Rated M / Mature

Prodigy created by Mark Millar at Netflix

Prodigy: Slaves of Mars is a new five-issue comic book miniseries produced by writer Mark Millar.  It is the third entry in the Prodigy series, following the original 2018-19 six-issue miniseries, Prodigy, and the 2022 miniseries, Prodigy: The Icarus Society.  This new series' creative team is comprised of artist Stefano Landini; colorist Michele Assarasakorn; and letterer Clem Robins.  Prodigy focuses on the adventures of the world's smartest man, Edison Crane.

Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #1 finds Edison returning to New York City from an adventure in the Himalayas.  However, all is not as it should be, as Edison finds his company, Crane Solutions, in disarray.  He also learns that his father, the former Senator Whitney Crane, is dead on Mars after discovering some shocking secret.

Now, a wanted man, Edison only has one person left to whom he can turn.  That would be his older, smarter brother, Elijah Crane.

THE LOWDOWN:  This is the second time that I have been on any kind of list that provides PDF copies of titles published by Dark Horse Comics.  I mark my return with Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #1.

Of course, the first issue of Prodigy: Slaves of Mars is a blast to read.  You would already know that, dear readers, if you had read Prodigy: The Icarus Society #1 or read Prodigy: The Evil Earth, the trade collection of the first miniseries.

Millar uses Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #1 to introduce readers to Edison Crane's state of mind (more or less).  In the previous series, The Icarus Society, Edison needed a challenge.  This time, however, he is really busy, and there is a new challenger who has come in at the wrong time.  This new challenger also seems to be behind all of Edison's new troubles.  Kudos to Millar for offering a story that challenges both hero and readers.

The art team of illustrator Stefano Landini and colorist Michele Assarasakorn throws caution to the wind and presents graphical storytelling that races from page to page in a loose drawing style and muted coloring style.  This is what conveys Edison Crane's troubles plainly and bluntly.  As always, Clem Robins provided the perfect soundtrack to the chaos with his classic lettering.

Prodigy is back.  The Slaves of Mars are calling us.  Don't be a fool, dear readers; get this.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of his comic book, Prodigy, will want to read Prodigy: Slaves of Mars.

A+

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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