‘Monarch' #1 is a pitch-perfect debut issue that creates a complex and fleshed-out dangerous world for the characters and reader alike, taking us on a ride similar but different from so many others. Fans of science fiction and just fantastic human stories need to pick this one up for sure. Read Full Review

Monarch #1 is an impressive debut that builds a living, dangerous world with complex characters that already carry a considerable amount of personal history with them. It's impossible not to root for Travon and you will keep turning the pages with a certain reluctance for fear of what might happen to him throughout. But turn them you shall, and you won't want to stop. Monarch is just that good. Read Full Review

This coming-of-age story covering the trials of inner-city foster children reminds us of the need to let go of injuries and rejection to embrace the possibilities life offers. Through a multi-layered storytelling approach, Monarch #1 transforms a familiar premise into a beautiful and unique reminder about the fulfilling and freeing power of acceptance and love. Read Full Review

Monarch #1 is a great start and addition to the sci-fi horror genre. It manages to feel epic while down to earth and should be on your pull list. Read Full Review

'Monarch' takes readers on an exciting and thrilling emotional journey at the crossroads of a heartwarming coming-of-age story and an alien invasion. Travon's life of uncertainty to familial triumph back to destruction will glue readers to the pages of 'Monarch,' a winning new sci-fi series from Barnes and Lins. Read Full Review

Travon goes from being hunted by a gang to hiding from aliens. Read Full Review

Keeping the human in the alien invasion story, Monarch #1 portrays a realistic and tangible perspective in the backdrop of a tense sci-fi horror comic. Read Full Review

Rodney Barnes and Alex Lins deliver an engaging start to the Monarch series. All the characters bring you into the world that is crafted and makes the eventual turn into an alien invasion story have a greater impact. The ending hooked me to be invested in finding out what happens after I finished Monarch #1. Read Full Review

Monarch #1 is one gut punch after another, but the characters it manages to create amidst the devastating chaos are already captivating. Read Full Review

Monarch is a unique read as it feels like multiple stories, with one ending and another beginning. Barnes brings his experience with writing different mediums into this issue with how it ends on cliffhangers, forcing readers to come back to the next issue to see what happened with the aliens and Travon. Read Full Review

Its a sweet and solid coming of age story, but the mature dialogue and violence might make the book feel a bit out of reach for the younger readers who would really enjoy it. Read Full Review

Overall, Monarch #1 has a lot going for it great illustrations and lettering combined with an interesting plot that takes place in a unique setting like Compton makes this comic worth checking out for any comic book fan. However, as far as first issues go, some may find that this one falls short due to its slow pacing and scattered structure which fails to effectively tie all its elements together though hopefully future issues will improve upon that! So if you're looking for something new to read or love alien invasion stories than give Monarch #1 a chance! Read Full Review

The premise obviously needs to be fleshed out more. The character work is the real selling point.

Tries to be too poetic in it's narrative. Some stuff hits but most didn't for me. Still, Travon is a pretty likable character and the ending makes me want to read issue #2.