It seems that every other week we are graced with a new headline regarding another Mark Millar title being adapted for a movie or TV show. After creating the Kingsman Universe, Kick-Ass, Wanted, as well as various successes for Marvel, it is clear that the Millar well is a deep one to draw from. And it was no surprise when Netflix acquired the rights to all of Millar’s creations, as they could have a seemingly endless TV show or movie idea-generating machine. Prodigy #6 is the latest in Mark Millar and Rafael Albuquerque’s newest series, and while it is not his magnum opus, it is a very simple, enjoyable read with a unique art style.
Edison Crane is the hero an 8 year-old came up with in one of their ramblings in the best way possible. Crane is the smartest man in the universe, the best fighter in the universe, adored by all women, envied by all men, etc. And you can tell that Millar had a lot of fun envisioning and creating this “uber-Bond” character. Crane’s dialogue is cheeky and cocky. The villain’s read like Saturday morning cartoon baddies and their scheme for world domination is equally extravagant including an invasion from a parallel universe. There is some overarching plot from the previous chapters, but it really is window dressing. Millar clearly just wanted an excuse to put Crane in extremely dire circumstances only to have him calmly fix them.
Due to the nature of the story and Edison Crane, the main antagonists who have orchestrated the last couple of chapters feel a tad toothless in this issue. They devise a devious plan to fool Crane, but of course, they don’t because Crane is the smartest man ever. Obviously, their plan was never going to work so it brings to mind, why even bother having one.
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This series has the feel of a great “monster-of-the-week” story and it could be really successful in doing so. By creating this constantly rotating series of baddies, they could become increasingly more wacky and outlandish, which would better fit the power fantasy tone of the story.
Rafael Albuquerque’s art plays really well into the more cartoonish elements of the story. The main antagonists’ features are sharp and pointed, with slender frames and comically expressive faces and the invading army looks like something out of a Saturday morning special. The scenery can be a bit dull and the panel layout is pretty vanilla but that’s really not why any one is reading this book. Albuquerque’s explosions and set pieces are awesome.
Marcelo Maiolo’s colors are sublime however. He drapes a majority of the early scenes in heavy shadow, making them feel heavier. And when the action picks up, bright-stylized vibrant colors flood the page. And once again the explosions look awesome.
Prodigy #6 is a fine issue. The plot could be improved by scrapping all of the bells and whistles and focusing on one circumstance per issue. Rafael Albuquerque and Marcelo Maiolo’s art is nothing exceptionally experimental, but combined it’s more than serviceable. Prodigy #6 is not going to convert the nonbelievers and it is not Mark Millar’s grand opus, but it is damn fun.
