Mother Nature features a young girl, Nova Terrell, who following the death of her father has grown up hating the seemingly benevolent Cobalt Corporation. Imagine Clark Kent’s feeling towards Lex Corp and you get the idea. Of course, as with Lex Corp, there is some truth in the respective distrusts, but it is a terrifying discovery by Nova show that Mother Nature could mean the end of the town altogether!
Recently I have been a tad harsh on celebrities taking up the pen. Step up “scream queen” Jamie Lee Curtis, who despite a varied acting career, is seen as something of a horror legend. OF course, Curtis has history as a writer have penned a number of children’s books. Here Curtis takes time to build on well known tropes. Small town mindset, big corporations, on point environmental concerns echoing a timely reminder, if needed, of our planets current state of affairs. The dialogue works well enough, with the familiar tones of rebellion from Nova and the tired acceptance of her her mother; it is a book that serves to set up all the pieces of a longer puzzle. Curtis is joined in writing by Russell Goldman, of Halloween fame.which may add the more threatening horror element that we expect from this book.
As solid as the writing is, I found the art from Karl Stevens a tad disconcerting. Sure, some of the faces show the right kind of emotion, but body poses look wooden and lack and real movement. Its as if the art somehow is being used as story boards for the aforementioned movie. It is disappointing that I feel that the comic medium that I love is seemingly being parlayed in favour for something else entirely. With no colorist of letterer credited, I am assuming that Stevens is responsible for the washed out, almost water coloured scheme.
Mother Nature is by far one of the better “actors turned writers” books I have read recently. The inclusion of Goldman may have had an impact . I could have done without the artistic inclusion of Curtis, but I suppose it had to be done at some point. Overall, an enjoyable, if trope filled, graphic from a publisher known for publishing different projects.
Writing- 4 Stars
Art & Colors – 3 Stars
Overall – 3.5 Stars
Written by; Jamie Lee Curtis & Russell Goldman
Adapted & illustrated by; Karl Stevens
Published by; Titan Comics
Mother Nature is due in shops August 9th
Author Profile
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I am a long time comic book fan, being first introduced to Batman in the mid to late 70's. This led to a appreciation of classic artists like Neal Adams and Jim Aparo. Moving through the decades that followed, I have a working knowledge of a huge raft of characters with a fondness for old school characters like JSA and The Shadow
Currently reading a slew of Bat Books, enjoying a mini Marvel revival, and the host of The Definative Crusade and Outside the Panels whilst also appearing on No-Prize Podcast on the Undercover Capes Podcast Network
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