• 10
  Comic Vine - Tony 'G-Man' Guerrero Sep 27, 2011

  It's always fun to read a brand new comic series. Having it turn out to be a great read is a bonus. As a fan of both Bendis and Bagely, the idea of the two on a creator-owned book is refreshing. From the way the series has been described, they have big things planned. We're always looking for a new series to read and because this is a completely new comic world, anyone can jump right into this issue. The idea of superpowers not existing until a group of college kids discovers a way to create them ins intriguing. You can imagine things won't necessarily go smoothly. I can't wait to see how Bendis and Bagley explore this notion. Read Full Review

• 8.0
  iFanboy - Ron Richards Sep 27, 2011

  Art expectations aside, Brilliant #1 is a well formed introduction into a new world. Bendis and Bagley have more than proven themselves as a creative team with their legendary run on Ultimate Spider-Man, and Bagley is a master of the ongoing run, so it's pretty much a lock that Brilliant will be a series worth subscribing to. While one issue alone can't show us brilliance, Brilliant #1 sets up a very intriguing world with the potential for something quite special. Read Full Review

• 6.5
  IGN - Poet Mase Sep 28, 2011

  While a solid groundwork is laid for conflict in upcoming installments, this issue reaches its resolution with little dramatic altitude. In addition, I didn't find the characters terribly convincing in their roles as nerds. The story was enjoyable enough, but I don't feel the urge to mark the release date for issue #2 on my calendar. Also, if you're interested in this book but can't find a copy, don't fret. You won't be missing much that a recap page can't capture. Read Full Review

• 6.0
  CHUD - Jeb Delia Sep 30, 2011

  And that's pretty much your first issue: you'll meet the main characters, discover their well-drawn backgrounds and relationships, reflect on their inspiration (a brief window in the 20th century when writers of science, and of science fiction, had more in common than they had separating them), and get a tease of where they're going to take it. For those who enjoy following a story as it unfolds, it's a fine first chapter. For those who feel as though more ought to happen when they crack open the book, or want more bang for their buck, my guess is that the eventual trade collection will be well worth your time and money. Read Full Review

• 6.0
  Eye On Comics - Don MacPherson Oct 14, 2011

  Bagley's style has always been perfect for action-oriented, super-hero stories, but that's not what Brilliant is, at least not so far. This story of young friends making a decision to change the world and change their lives should really be about capturing a moodier, more realistic tone. While Bagley's style is attractive and it conveys the characters' youth quite well, the more cartoony elements in his artwork works against the more grounded tone needed to sell this spin on the super-hero genre. The story unfolds clearly in the art; it's not an issue with Bagley's work. It's really more of a mismatch of style and subject matter. Read Full Review

• 4.0
  Comic Bastards - Dustin Cabeal Oct 9, 2011

  I'm sure that others will say that this book is in fact brilliant while others will make the easy joke saying that it is anything but. I'll take a different route and say I understand why the name was picked, but if you're going to be cocky enough to title it that you should make sure you deliver a product that changes the course of comics. Instead Bendis is taking an old concept of science creating super powers and putting it in a modern setting. Read Full Review

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