The Ray #1
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The Ray #1

Writer: Justin Gray Artist: Jamal Igle Publisher: DC Comics Release Date: December 14, 2011 Cover Price: $2.99 Critic Reviews: 9 User Reviews: 1
8.1Critic Rating
7.0User Rating

Get ready for a brand new Ray! Lucien Gates's life is changed forever when he is struck by a mysterious beam of energy that turns him into a glowing gladiator and being a human ray of light comes in handy when his city is suddenly under attack from giant, building-sized monsters. Unfortunately, light powers are less than handy in keeping his girlfriend happy.

  • 9.0
    Newsarama - Edward Kaye Dec 19, 2011

    I wasn't actually planning to pick up The Ray #1, and grabbed it on impulse when I hit the comic store. I'm incredibly glad I did, because this is a pitch-perfect debut issue that outshines many of the titles that DC introduced with the "New 52." This is only a four-issue mini-series, but I hope we get to see lots more of this new character. Read Full Review

  • 9.0
    Outer Realm Comics - Charles Joy Feb 27, 2012

    I think it is a great new mini-series. I love it when new ideas take off. The best part about it, as a 4 part mini-series, the monetary investment is relatively small - and after reading this issue, more than worth it for the entertainment value provided. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Book Resources - Kelly Thompson Dec 15, 2011

    "The Ray", with a phenomenal creative team and a solid first issue, promises to be an action packed comedy mini-series full of enthusiasm and energy. It's also one of the most racially diverse DC books I've read in a while now, which is a welcome thing indeed. More of this please, comics! Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    cxPulp - Blake Petit Dec 16, 2011

    Fans of the old versions of Ray either of them may be a little disappointed to find that theres not much of a trace of them here. The name is the same, the powers are similar, but not exact. Other than that, its a ground-up relaunch. And it further confirms a feeling Ive had about the New 52 universe for some time now. This is really a new version of what happened in the Silver Age, when DC brought back superheroes in a big way. Some of them changed just a little, some of them changed a lot, some of them were brand-new characters. Lucien is to Ray Terrill what Hal Jordan was to Alan Scott. Whether he has Hals longevity, of course, remains to be seen, but hes a fun character that doesnt feel like anybody else in the DC Universe. And that, friends, is a very good thing. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comic Vine - Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero Dec 14, 2011

    Introducing a new character to an existing comic universe can be a risky move. The fact that we're still in the early stages of 'The New 52' makes it even riskier as we're trying to get to know the existing heroes once again. Gray and Palmiotti do a great job in creating a likable new young hero that doesn't have all the typical clichs you normally see with the teen heroes. Some parts move a little fast as this new Ray quickly becomes comfortable with controlling his powers but because it's a four-issue miniseries, the need for that fast pace makes sense. Jamal Igle's pencils are welcome and we get a good mix in locations and looks for the characters along with great variation in the facial expressions on them. Bravo to Gray, Palmiotti and Igle in creating a new character in the DC Universe. I can't wait to see what happens next. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Comics Bulletin - Ray Tate Dec 20, 2011

    Palmiotti and Gray drastically alters the aura of upbeat, freewheeling goodness by introducing the Ray's first super villain in the last handful of pages. Basing the character on a mondo filmmaker from the '60s -- the type who filmed native rituals, bare breasts and other peculiarities for "titillating" "documentary" anthologies. Somehow gaining supernatural power, the filmmaker leaves the reader with an awesome wtf moment that drastically shifts the atmosphere into horror territory. Gray and Palmiotti, no strangers to the horror genre, also know how to induce terror. The victims of the villain seem complete undeserving innocents. Creating likeable characters and threatening them is the finest way to evolve terror. Read Full Review

  • 8.0
    Major Spoilers - Stephen Schleicher Dec 21, 2011

    The Ray is a four issue mini-series, which is fine as DC attempts to find what works best in the New 52. If the series sells well, we may see The Ray become an ongoing character, but I'm not holding my breath right now. The writing is solid, and the art is just as good. Compressing the story into four issues does cause some jumps in story telling, but overall, the first issue of The Ray is really solid, and earns 4 out of 5 Stars. Read Full Review

  • 7.9
    Crave Online - Andy Hunsaker Dec 16, 2011

    Overall, The Ray #1 might be a little too self-aware for it's own good, but so far, it's a breezy good time. Read Full Review

  • 7.0
    IGN - Erik Norris Dec 14, 2011

    The Ray #1 is an interesting start for this series. I really like the character and his supporting cast. It's just that the undercooked superheroics and out-of-place villain hold this first issue back. Hopefully things straighten themselves out for issue #2. Read Full Review

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