8 Reasons Why 'Umbrella Academy' Is Always Worth the Wait
After a very long wait the members of the Umbrella Academy have returned to comics for their third [...]
A Perfect Blending of Genres
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One of the most captivating elements of The Umbrella Academy is how it defies definition. While the collection of children with superpowers makes the synopsis seem like an obvious superhero tale, reading these pages make it clear that their stories are anything but that. Each character pulls heavily from different genres, ranging from pulps to spy fiction to sci-fi adventures. The stories they tell together are equally diverse. Both of the miniseries to date have merged a wide variety of settings and tropes into comics that feel entirely fresh as a result. As long as The Umbrella Academy refuses to be bottled, it will continue to be worth reading.
A Diverse Cast of Characters
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The most significant element of having such a wide-ranging and flexible story comes from its central cast, the adults who once composed the Umbrella Academy as children. Each of them brings a unique set of powers to their adventures, but it's their personalities and life experiences that really make them diverse. Despite a long shared history, it's impossible to put any two of these individuals in the same room without a substantial disagreement resting on the horizon, creating a backdrop for limitless conflict and exploration of their very strange stories.
Riveting New Ideas
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One element that has defined all of Way's work as a comics writer is a willingness to invent on every new page. It's apparent in everything from The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys to Doom Patrol, but never more so than in The Umbrella Academy. The big threats in each miniseries always stand out, especially when the series opened on a high note like a symphony designed to destroy reality. Yet even the most minor touches, like the origin of time-traveling hitmen, are enough to leave readers pondering the possibilities long after they close the comic. In an industry dominated by repetition, The Umbrella Academy regularly dares to try new things.
Simply Stunning Pages
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All of the best ideas in the world don't amount to much if they cannot be executed in an effective fashion, but that is never a concern on pages drafted by Gabriel Bá. His style is instantly distinguished by its strong compositions, exaggeration of forms, and awe-inducing designs. Whether it's applied to the mundane life of an obituary writer or the adventures of superpowered children, Bá's approach makes each page something special. Combine his artistic talents with the wild ideas of The Umbrella Academy and there is never a moment for readers to recline.
A World Rich With History
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One of the most consistently engaging elements of The Umbrella Academy is the tension between the past and present, as the characters struggle with their high-profile childhoods and how they led to less-than-ideal present circumstances. It is apparent that all of the time in between and even before the Academy's creation exists somewhere in the minds of Way and Bá, just waiting to be unlocked. That is potential for a lot of future stories, no matter when they might be told.
Infinite Future Possibilities
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While the histories of the Umbrella Academy members provide the kindling for some excellent stories, the future has never lost sight of their progress into the future. Each adventure, even those rooted in past failures, allow the characters to grow and change their circumstances. With so much talent, power, and ideas shared between them, the possibilities for what come next seem truly infinite and well worth exploring.
Each Story Stands Alone
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The two miniseries to date along with several short stories have all helped to compose a larger whole, but it's worth considering how well each story functions on its own. They clearly composed narratives that take characters and readers alike on a specific journey. While these individual elements might build upon one another, they can be read and enjoyed without worrying about endless cliffhangers or worldbuilding. The release of a new Umbrella Academy story means readers always get a complete, new story.
No Need for an End
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Some characters in The Umbrella Academy have already met their end, but there's no apparent conclusion for the team in sight. Looking at where their adventures have taken them all thus far, it seems like the story could only just be beginning. While endings are valuable things, everything about this series suggests that expansion is the natural next step. So for as long as The Umbrella Academy continues, it will be worth returning to The Umbrella Academy after any sort of wait.