Madame Mirage #1

[MadBastard]

I've been looking for this one for awhile and wasn't disappointed when I picked it up today. The futuristic feel combined with the anachronistic heroine makes for a great atmosphere. Good art, good characterizations, and an interesting plot. The last of those is nearly self-contained, but leaves enough questions to make things really interesting. All in all, I enjoyed it greatly. Anyway, there's a full review over there (http://madbastard.hypersites.com/site/page/pg3285-pn_Madame_Mirage_1.html).

[GreatLakesAvenger]

I'm with you. This first issue gave us a nice setup for what's to come. I plan to stick with this for a while.

[DonC]

I didn't like it a whole lot. It wasn't bad, it was just not what I was lead to believe the book was going to be. I was expecting a 1930s-set pulp atmosphere and instead I got the future, complete with superheroes and villains. I like Dini's work, but I don't know how long I'll stick around for this one.

[mgs]

I didn't like it a whole lot. It wasn't bad, it was just not what I was lead to believe the book was going to be. I was expecting a 1930s-set pulp atmosphere and instead I got the future, complete with superheroes and villains. I like Dini's work, but I don't know how long I'll stick around for this one.

wow! we are total opposites! :) remember, you were trying to get me to try the comic and I was doubtful, now it's you who didn't like the comic, while I did like it a lot! :)

Again, I have to agree with the Mad one on their thoughts of the book. :D

[Miss Kitty Fantastico]

I thought it was a great start, and a very concise introduction to our grin-and-kill heroine. I loved the psyche-out lines from the receptionist and lift guy, but finding out that it was MM all along, doing it just to freak the guy out, was awesome. If she were just a grim ends-justify-the-means crusader, she wouldn't be that interesting - it's this aspect, that she revels in toying with her prey like a kitten with a toy, and does it with bucketloads of style and panache, that I like, and that makes her more than just the Punisher in an evening dress (now that's a mental image I didn't need).

Smart, tight writing, stylish and lavish art - it's a great package, and on my pull list from the start.

[K.O.V.G]

You guys are lucky I didn't even get this in my comic shop yet if so I missed I hope I get a chance to read this i'm a big fan of topcows work or image work in general.

[matt levin]

For me, it was a just-okay opener.
Until just about the last panel.
When (her sister?) remarks, Oh [Mde. Mirage], always the drama queen.

I'm a big fan of knowing relationships within stories; so this one panel promises a depth of characterization via characters' interactions that will at least sell me the book for another issue or two.

I was also expecting a 30s setting and stuff, as mentioned above, and found myself a little distrustful of the 'future' setting.

So okay, another issue or two to win me over.
Matt

[pc999]

This seems very good.

[DonC]

wow! we are total opposites! :) remember, you were trying to get me to try the comic and I was doubtful, now it's you who didn't like the comic, while I did like it a lot! :)

Again, I have to agree with the Mad one on their thoughts of the book. :D

No one was more surprised I didn't like this than I was. Like I said, I was expecting a 1930s kind of Shadow riff. I'll give this future stuff an issue or two to grow on me, but if it doesn't, I'l drop the book.

[Cayman]

It was fairly good. Reminded me strongly of the John Ridley books "Those Who Walk In Darkness" and "What Fire Doesn't Burn". The art was nice. I'll probably pick up the next issue.

[Black Atom]

I was also expecting a 30s noir/pulp throwback, but I kinda like the direction.

I think the issue is missing some background on Mirage herself. I get its important to establish the setting and status quo, but I would've liked a LOT more focus on Mirage herself. I get she's supposed to be all mysterious but she doesn't really stand out from all the other glib, sexy, femme fatales out there. As neat as the reality Dini's created is, the titular character hasn't hooked me.

[z0mbie_aut0pil0t]

A good effort for the first issue. I'm probably going to pick up the next one. It's an interesting story.

[jesse_custer]

I think the issue is missing some background on Mirage herself. I get its important to establish the setting and status quo, but I would've liked a LOT more focus on Mirage herself. I get she's supposed to be all mysterious but she doesn't really stand out from all the other glib, sexy, femme fatales out there. As neat as the reality Dini's created is, the titular character hasn't hooked me.

This is definitely the most articulated and important point made in this thread. Yes, the overall concept has potential, the dialogue is reasonable, and the art is nice--but why don't we know anything about Mirage yet?

Hopefully, this will be fixed next issue.

[GreatLakesAvenger]

We don't know anything about Mirage because the author chose instead to use the first issue to establish her methods of operation. In issue #0, he explained that he had a vision of a heroine who used stealth and cunning. So I'm sure we'll get more backstory later, now that we've seen how she works.

[Killer Bee]

I liked it because of the big boobs throughout the book.

jk.

Really awesome first issue IMO. It was pretty awesome and MM is really cool and slick. I like her style. She's a total jerk and not some boring character. Can't wait for issue 2. I also like it becuhs of the big bewbs.

[Miss Kitty Fantastico]

I can't agree that #1 didn't tell us anything of importance about MM - we saw her carry out a meticulously premeditated murder (of a bad guy, not arguing that) and revel in toying with her prey at every step. She's conducting a campaign of systematic executions that'd have the Punisher nodding approvingly, and she's doing it with a glint of mischievous excitement in her eye. Granted her deliberate sense of mystique is calculated to keep her enemies off balance, but it's not just an act she puts on when she needs it - she played the role to a guy who she knew would never be able to tell anyone about it. Justified as her campaign may be (by the standards of superhero conflicts), she's enjoying herself too. Think about that - that's not a throw-away detail, character-wise.

[jesse_custer]

Ultimately, a first issue of an ongoing series works best as an introduction to the main character at the very least; I still say that Stan Lee and the masters did it right. The first issue of Madame Mirage, while alright, feels like we just jumped into the middle of an arc with yet another heroine with big tits.

Moreover, the exposition at the beginning about the manufactured superheroes was about as detailed as a third-grader's essay on George Washington.

[GreatLakesAvenger]

I kind of like the idea of a vague intro. It allows the writers to flesh out details later without retconning.

[Tazirai]

No one was more surprised I didn't like this than I was. Like I said, I was expecting a 1930s kind of Shadow riff. I'll give this future stuff an issue or two to grow on me, but if it doesn't, I'l drop the book.


I feel same as you, I wanted a book that took me back to a certain Style of crime fighting. The future can be technoir. Im hoping it goes for that, rather than another Alpha female, Who can kick the planets asses, while eating sushi.

[Tazirai]

Please delete: double post.

[Pil]

I found it a little bland. The setup was good, I just wasn't all that impressed with the execution of the idea.

[matt levin]

I've just reread issue one, and, now, knowing it's not going to be noirish 1931, but high-techly noirish 2031 (or whatever), I enjoyed it much more.

I've never needed that first-issue-origin story so long as the story at hand was interesting --heh: look at Paul Grist's Kane: 30-some issues and we know, 1., he's a really dedicated cop, 2., he's smart, 3., he killed his possibly corrupt partner and that's about it; but it's a compelling story he's in the midst of--

and we do find out a lot about Mde. M: she's an artful impersonator, a crack shot (she using bullets from that gun?), has a sister with a wry attitude toward M (calls her a 'drama queen'); sister, is a highly trained support-system/accomplice. One or both must be very wealthy, or work for a wealthy organization--or--? Mde. M can project a holographic image of herself, or, actually 'fade away' from a scene (' not in the truck').

and now I'm more happily awaiting issue 2.

Matt

[MightyBeard]

I have to say i was completely satisfied with this issue and am very excited for the future of this tale. I had no real expectations walking into it, but was happy to find the fast pace and intriguing story. Very much in the style of Stephen King or Wes Craven, come out and punch the audience in the face quick and hard so you know you have their attention when you go deeper into the story. It reminded me of a mix of Hellsing with Cowboy Bebop, needless to say i am anticipating the next issue.

[Affinity]

I loved this issue so much!

I read none of the interviews before hand and only saw those flash ads on Newsarama's sidebars and I was very UGH about it. Horrible proportions on a character from Top Cow, what a surprise, (that's my ignorance btw, I'm a kid who is slightly aware of the 90s and her art style!), and she was a typical O IM SO HOT kind of design. So I went into this completely blind.

I guess what killed it for so many of you was the total not meeting of expectations. You were psyched for one thing and got something else that is of high quality, but in the end it's just not what you wanted. Doesn't make it a bad book; possibly advertised badly. Didn't preview pages show the art early on, though? I just looked up what was said about it after I read the issue and there were uncolored pages with the narrative boxes already there. You guys couldn't have been TOTALLY blind.

I don't think I would have liked it so much if it was a 1920s noir drama. I love the term technoir and it's so fitting here!

My only gripe is her design. The artist draws AMAZING, and he draws females great! But the two protagonists, Madame Mirage and Harper, aren't his finest peices of work. Miniscule waist and and totally out of proportion torso, which I'm used to but not so blatantly, is such a turn off in such an awesome book! Her face is great though and the artist does great profile shots. She's cool looking, I just want to see a normal body on her. Some exaggeration is fine, but too much is bad.

And I agree with Kitty Fantastico, it's totally a fine opening issue. The opener drew me in and I felt very comfortable and eager to learn more about the character. The first issue does NOT need to be a MEET MADAME ~~MIRAGEEE~~~[/I] with extensive narrative like old Uncanny issues.

I sincerely believe Dini and (Roccafort?) blew me away with this! I loved it and will be back for so much more.

[jesse_custer]

It didn't have to be "Meet Madame Mirage." However, it could have had more depth than a drying creek.

[tragedythrillsme]

overall it was so-so. the story was a little clunky. i did like the artwork quite a bit. i'll give #2 a shot if/when it's released.

[torippu]

I was hoping that the second issue would have shipped in time for either San Diego or Chicago. This has been a bit disappointing - hearing Dini talk about how excited he is about the project but not having the books ship.

[DonC]

I was hoping that the second issue would have shipped in time for either San Diego or Chicago. This has been a bit disappointing - hearing Dini talk about how excited he is about the project but not having the books ship.


Cut the creators some slack. The book was only announced a year ago. They can't be expected to have more than one issue done. ;)