Comics Review: "PRODIGY: Slaves of Mars #2" Says "Bruh?..."

PRODIGY: SLAVES OF MARS #2 (OF 5)

DARK HORSE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar

ART: Stefano Landini

COLORS: Michele Assarasakorn

LETTERS: Clem Robins

EDITOR: Daniel Chabon

EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin

COVER: Stefano Landini with Michele Assarasakorn

VARIANT COVER ARTIST: Stefano Landini

32pp, Color, $4.99 U.S. (September 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.

In Prodigy: Slaves of Mars, Edison returns to New York City from an adventure in the Himalayas to find 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.

Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #2 opens in Baltimore, Maryland.  The Crane brothers are reunited just in time to discover that each feels differently about the death of their recently deceased father.  Now, they are about to go on the run as Froth Schroeder, the man who tore down Edison's life and likely killed their father, sets his sights on both brothers.

Meanwhile, what does this have to do with the ancient secrets of Mars and Martian rulers on Earth?  And where does the Kepler-11 star system fit into all this?

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 #2.

Of course, Prodigy: Slaves of Mars #2 is a blast to read, just as issue #1 was.  Millar's mixture of ancient aliens, secret societies, large conspiracies, and deep history runs throughout the Prodigy comic books.  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.

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.  Landini's art recalls the ancient mysteries vibe of the film, Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), and he uses it quite effectively to keep me reading.  Landini makes me excited about following Edison and Elijah on a great adventure.  As always, also, Clem Robins provides the perfect soundtrack to this chapter 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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