The Carbutt boys continue their trek to safety, this time with the help of the U.S. military, who plan on swatting the Martians like flies…until they see how big the Martian flies are, and, oh boy, there is gonna be a whole mess of trouble!

I’ve never been much of a fan, or in to, Mars Attacks. I saw the film and read a comic here and there, and was tempted to get into the miniature game. But, as a property the campiness didn’t really appeal to me. So, when Dynamite Entertainment launched a new series, I skipped it as I just didn’t have an interest. After reading Mars Attacks #3, I now need to go back and read the first two issues. I’ve made a mistake.

Writer Kyle Starks delivers the goofy adventure I expected in some ways. The martians attack as the U.S. Military and Carbutt boys head to safety. And, they do so with giant bugs, the iconic rayguns, and a bit of gory humor. What’s unexpected is Starks’ focus on the Carbutt boys, a father and son, and the issue’s focus on their relationship. In the apocalypse, the two have it out in their own way about a father’s hope for their child and the child’s reaction to that.

In the midst of all of the chaos, the gore, the destruction, Mars Attacks #3 has heart.

As a fairly new father myself, I may be a bit sappy but the issue nails it in some ways with that interaction. The insanity is the backdrop, the human connections are the real focus. And due to that, the issue shines. This isn’t what I expected and by focusing on the relationships, it’s so much more than what has come before.

The art by Chris Schweizer with help on colors by Liz Trice Schweizer is an interesting style which I’m not quite sure ow to describe. The designs you’ll like or dislike, I personally liek it, but it’s the focus of each panel that’s interesting. The chaos isn’t front and center and instead often the background for what the real focus is. There’s some over the top death but it’s done in a way that’s not exploitative and gore porn delivering a bit of humor to it all.

There’s times to admit when you’re wrong about a series and this is one for me. Mars Attacks #3 has me hooked to go back and check out the previous two issues to see what I’ve been missing. This is an issue that’s easy to pick up for new readers and its focus is something we can relate to. The team has delivered an issue that’s not the over the top destruction that’s expected but instead a focus on family. It’s what I look for in a series, something focused on the characters within as well as the action and this delivers the combination perfectly with a solid dose of humor.

Story: Kyle Starks Art: Chris Schweizer Color: Liz Trice Schweizer
Story: 8.5 Art: 8.15 Overall: 8.45 Recommendation: Buy

Dynamite Entertainment provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review