Starlight #2

Writer: Mark Millar Artist: Goran Parlov Publisher: Image Comics Release Date: April 2, 2014 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 15 User Reviews: 11
7.7Critic Rating
7.7User Rating

Duke McQueen once saved an alien world from destruction - but it happened in a place nobody believes in, during a time nobody remembers. Surrounded by memories of his late wife and his happier past, Duke's days as a hero are long gone...or so he thinks! Now, a young visitor from the world Duke once saved is coming to him with a desperate plea for help. It's one last chance at adventure for Duke, and another chapter to unfold in the ever-expanding Millarworld Universe!

  • 9.0
    Rhymes With Geek - Kyle Overkill Apr 1, 2014

    From start to finish Starlight just feels special. I've seen many comparisons between Starlight and The Incredibles and, while at times there do seem to be some thematic inspiration, I think the real connection is that each property scratches a specific itch we have as adults to both connect with our families and not lose the glory days of youth. Starlight is a book that I enjoy as a father and I'm going to save it for my son to read because, while he may not get all the subtext of the story, I'm sure he will love it just as much! Starlight is why I read comics. Read Full Review

  • 8.5
    Unleash The Fanboy - John McCubbin Apr 1, 2014

    Starlight continues to impress as though it drops the pace ever so slightly it does give a lot of background, also having a lot intriguing developments. Highly recommended. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comics Bulletin - Justin Giampaoli Apr 8, 2014

    Starlight sort of reminds me of something like The Last Starfighter, a piece of pop culture that embraces the camp of its own tropes and just charges confidently forward. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Geeked Out Nation - CJ Yudelson Apr 2, 2014

    The comic ends with Duke coming back to a Tantalus far different than the one he remembers thanks to the alien invaders. Naturally the reader who read issue #1 would assume this is what would happen but like I said this issue had to get us there in order for the real adventure to begin. Starlight #2 is a solid follow up to the very good first debut issue. I feel like this was literally part 2 of the first issue and could have easily been collected in double sized debut issue. Despite reading a little too quick and lacking the emotional ride and vibrant colors the first issue had Starlight #2 is still a good comic and sets up a host of possibilities going forward. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Vine - Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero Apr 2, 2014

    This series has really captured my heart. Mark Millar has taken the familiar idea we've seen of the hero from Earth saving the galaxy but adds a great twist to it. The story is being taken to a different level I never really thought about. Parlov's art and Svorcina's colors are a perfect match for the tone presented in this series. I'm often extremely picky about sci-fi comics. I love both but they don't often work for me. If I could, I would personally thank Millar for this comic. It's now a series I will highly look forward to each month. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Big Comic Page - Shane Hoffman Apr 1, 2014

    I find that Mark Millar has taken subject matter that could be difficult for anyone, losing a loved one and trying to find a way to move on, and made it endearing and dare I say, enjoyable to read. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    IGN - Jesse Schedeen Apr 2, 2014

    At the same time, the series does feel a bit predictable and safe because of Millar's storytelling choices. Nothing has unfolded in these first two issues that I've found surprising or unexpected. Duke himself has no real discernible character flaws. He's kindhearted, honest, hard-working, and faithful to his wife until the end. Can a comic remain interesting over the long term with such a squeaky clean lead? But to be fair, Millar is still in the process of ushering Duke back to Tantalus and really getting his conflict underway. There's still a lot we don't know about the direction and flavor of this series. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    All-Comic - Joey Caswell Apr 1, 2014

    Starlight #2 was a really fun book from start to finish. This series has been off to a tremendous start with its first two installments, and things are only going to get crazier! The story is engaging and interesting, and the characters feel real with very sincere interactions. The subtle humor throughout adds a lot to an already interesting story. This is a book that will be enjoyable for fans of any genre, especially those who like the classics! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    ComicBuzz - ZXRoberts Aug 13, 2014

    Starlight continues to be a highly emotional; well written; beautifully drawn; and excitement filled sci-fi series that has much to offer. Not as fast paced as the first issue mainly because of a lack of flashbacks, but still builds on Dukes character and moves the story forward into space. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Newsarama - Michael Moccio Apr 3, 2014

    Starlight #2 has a lot of potential - let's just see if the creative team takes advantage of that in the coming issues. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    AIPT - David Brooke Apr 2, 2014

    It is, although it suffers the second issue blues. There isn't much action to speak of, and the one chance to do so with the flashback falls short. It does however continue the feels and feel-good nature of the protagonist. Read Full Review

  • 7.5
    Comicosity - Maxwell Majernik Apr 2, 2014

    Starlight #2 is a slight mistep, but still a step in the right direction overall. The problems with this issue are not going to be the norm and issue #3 will recapture the momentum created from an amazing first issue. If you are a ‘trade waiter,' then you won't even notice the faults.I'm just disappointed that my only Starlight for this month boiled down to one extended scene. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    ComicList - Brandon Borzelli Apr 5, 2014

    The artwork continues to be a delight. The artwork captures all of the emotion, excitement and wonder that goes into a story like this one. Duke is a depressed guy but space travel obviously gets him to smile again and the artwork captures this perfectly. The book has a detailed look and the colors sit nicely on top of the pencils. This is a very good art presentation. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Comic Bastards - Steve Paugh Apr 2, 2014

    Saying that, the conceit of this thing – sort of a more fun Tombstone-in-space deal – is still very much alive and can very easily be capitalized upon next issue, which promises the kind of space-based action we've been looking forward to since its announcement. Like with most Millar's stuff, I'm still on-board, but as always seems to be the case with his books, Starlight, like its main character, now teeters on the edge between the bold and the same-old, same-old. Read Full Review

  • 6.0
    Front Towards Gamer - Lido Mar 31, 2014

    I understand his world is emptier now that Joanne is dead but so much of the intercutting (IE first a shot of him doing amazing stuff on Tantalus then a shot of him farting around the supermarket looking vacant) is meant to convey how much worse his life on Earth is and the allusion of the Fisher King continues that trend. The problem is that Starlight also needs his relationship with Joanne to be cartoonishly perfect to give him his more grizzled and shattered outlook and to again rip-off Unforgiven. It all adds up to a story that feels very unsure of how it wants to frame its 1 female character. So yeah Starlight #2 was an improvement and 1 I might tentatively recommend but I'm still not sure this series is headed anywhere good. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    melt_man Apr 7, 2014

    This continues to impress. After the first issue, I wasn't sure that the return to Tantalus was a good idea since the concept of him on Earth was great, but this did not disappoint. It has taken a permanent spot on my pull list.

  • 8.0
    Gizmo May 17, 2014

    "Don't Shoot! I'm only eighty-six!" What a great line to open with. We're in for a wild ride with this series.

  • 8.0
    JBL Reviews Apr 5, 2014

    Starlight 2 was a great issue to learn about Duke. The series obviously will be having a character driven focus, and this book did a good job of teaching us a lot about its protagonist.

  • 6.5
    Master Destructo Aug 4, 2014

    Huh. I have to admit, I didn't really enjoy this issue too much. It's a surprise, since the first one was SO great. The story itself consisted mainly of a conversation between Duke and the "spaceboy" who'd come to recruit him. First Duke says no since he's too old. Then, apparently after some thought process that we're not privy to, he says yes. Then they fly to Tantalus, which apparently takes just three seconds. Even though interstellar travel is so easy, no one has bothered coming to Earth since there's "nothing to see." But they write songs and build statues and celebrate Duke on Tantalus. It doesn't make sense that no one would have contacted him before now to say, "hey--we've invented warp travel, so feel free to visit anytim more

  • 9.0
    Josecab79 Sep 9, 2019

  • 9.0
    DarkKnight Jul 4, 2014

  • 8.0
    Grifter Jul 10, 2017

  • 8.0
    MatchesMalone Jun 10, 2014

  • 8.0
    COREMARK Apr 13, 2014

  • 6.0
    Adsun22 Jan 12, 2023

  • 5.0
    krylox Apr 8, 2014

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