Orphaned amnesiac high school student Grant Garrison is just attempting to navigate his present and recall his past when a meteor decimates his school. In the rubble, Grant discovers a strange artifact from another galaxy, the weapon known as the Starstorm, and the power that resides within it will determine not only his and his friends’ future-but the fate of the entire universe. The Savage Strength of Starstorm #1 is an homage to Image Comics’ founders according to Drew Craig and like many early Image releases, it’s a tough read.

Craig delivers an opening chapter that we’ve seen so many times before. Evil aliens are in search of some artifact that falls to Earth and a kid gets ahold of it. That kid, Grant Garrison, then gets superpowers in the form of an alien suit he doesn’t understand. Nothing is new, nothing is super original as far as that.

The characters Grant is introduced to also don’t leave much of an impression. There’s the bully, the “friend” that shows him around school, and the attractive girl. All feel rather hallow, filling a character type than being actual developed characters.

The art by Craig too is a little short. Along with color by Jason Finestone and lettering by Finestone, there’s a roughness to Craig’s style. Designs aren’t consistent and character features look a little off. It’s a personal style, but one I’m not a fan of. Craig does deliver a flair for the action when things get going but the moments are broad making you not focus as much on the rough details.

There’s something a bit throwback about The Savage Strength of Starstorm #1. But, that’s not necessarily a good thing. It’s concept takes centerstage leaving us characters who we’re given little reason to care about. And the concept, so far, is something we’ve seen many times before, again, leaving little reason to get excited about what happens. Maybe the comic improves and delivers something original eventually, but for a start, it feels like an adventure we’ve seen far too many times before.

Story: Drew Craig Art: Drew Craig
Color: Jason Finestone Letterer: Jason Finestone
Story: 7.0 Art: 7.0 Overall: 7.0 Recommendation: Read

Image Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review

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