The most celebrated superheroes in mid-century America seem to have it all— fame, riches, adoration—but tensions simmer beneath the glossy surface, threatening to crack open the secrets behind their public AND private exploits.

Jupiter’s Circle is a prequel to Mark Millar‘s excellent superhero series Jupiter’s Legacy. The series’ clear focus is a soap-opera in spandex as the story is about a team whose personal dramas collide with super-powered spectacle.

It’s been many months since Legacy ended its run, which is the one downside as I had to remember who the various characters are, and their roles in the first volume. It’s not a horrible thing, but it’d help for folks to read through the first volume before diving into the first issue.

The series takes a lot of what makes the first volume work, the personal issues of the heroes themselves, and enhances it all by placing them in the past. The series is a period piece taking place decades before the first volume in a much different world. How would the US act to heroes in the Cold War? What would be people’s reactions to a gay superhero? Those are the types of things that are the focus of the first issue. It’s issues that have been explored in other comic series, but Millar creates a unique enough world to make it feel different. The storyline dealing with his hidden sexuality is particularly interesting, and the struggle is felt coming off the page.

That’s partially helped by Wilfredo Torres‘ art who takes over art duty from Frank Quitely, though Quitely is providing covers. The style is slightly different, but not enough to really cause a jarring issue. Torres style fits the period that the series is set very well.

The first issue is a solid continuation of a series that shows off Millar’s talent to do more that low-brow action. The first issue touches upon a lot of interesting issues, and sheds a light on the early years of a universe we know too little about. The first issue is a solid read, and as a fan of Legacy, I was excited to read. But, this is a series where the whole will be judged, and with that we have a long way to go.

Story: Mark Millar Art: Wilfredo Torres
Story: 8 Art: 8 Overall: 8 Recommendation: Buy

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review