The Umbrella Academy
in Diesel
Don't know if you're familiar with this but as it's one of my fave comic lines, I just got to share it with you 
Here we go:
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY - a fantastic comic somewhere between wicked pulp, diesel- and steampunk and tons of other influences (imo - at least)
Despite it's very colourful artwork it builds up a great noir-like atmosphere and is far from "just another superhero story" (again - imo).
So far two series (each consisting of six issues and already available as TPBs) were released and both are really, really amazing in both artwork and storytelling.
A third installement is planned for this year (happy-happy-joy-joy
)
00.01 Spaceboy (Luther Hargreeves) His body is that of a gorilla’s and was transplanted after a failed expedition to Mars. His powers are enhanced physical strength and resilience.
00.02 The Kraken (Diego Hargreeves) The reckless and rebellious member of the group, described by The Monocle as “an insolent brat.” He has the ability to hold his breath indefinitely and has demonstrated a strong affinity for knife-throwing.
00.03 The Rumor (Allison Hargreeves) She has the ability to prevaricate, whatever she says becomes the truth.
00.04 The Séance (Klaus Hargreeves) Showcasing a fretful, morbid temperament. His powers are to contact the dead, levitate and telekinesis.
00.05 The Boy Disappeared at the age of ten and reappears in his childhood form 20 years into the future. (don't want to spoil here )
00.06 The Horror (Ben Hargreeves) He possesses monsters under his skin from other dimensions. He is deceased, but no information regarding his death is given. There is a memorial statue of him located in the front of the Academy
00.07 The White Violin (Vanya Hargreeves) The most estranged member of the group, Vanya showcases no particular powers, other than an interest in music. Vanya is known to have written a book detailing her life with the Academy and her decision to leave
Here we go:
THE UMBRELLA ACADEMY - a fantastic comic somewhere between wicked pulp, diesel- and steampunk and tons of other influences (imo - at least)
Despite it's very colourful artwork it builds up a great noir-like atmosphere and is far from "just another superhero story" (again - imo).
So far two series (each consisting of six issues and already available as TPBs) were released and both are really, really amazing in both artwork and storytelling.
A third installement is planned for this year (happy-happy-joy-joy
)The heroes - or better anti-heroes - are:The members of the Umbrella Academy, a disbanded group of superheroes, reunite after the death of their adoptive father, "Sir Reginald Hargreeves". Hargreeves, an alien disguised as a famous entrepreneur, collected the members of the Umbrella Academy shortly after their birth (In an inexplicable worldwide event, forty-three extraordinary children were spontaneously born by women who'd previously shown no signs of pregnancy) and trained them to save the world from an unspecified threat. After his death, the members carry on his plan to save the world.
00.01 Spaceboy (Luther Hargreeves) His body is that of a gorilla’s and was transplanted after a failed expedition to Mars. His powers are enhanced physical strength and resilience.
00.02 The Kraken (Diego Hargreeves) The reckless and rebellious member of the group, described by The Monocle as “an insolent brat.” He has the ability to hold his breath indefinitely and has demonstrated a strong affinity for knife-throwing.
00.03 The Rumor (Allison Hargreeves) She has the ability to prevaricate, whatever she says becomes the truth.
00.04 The Séance (Klaus Hargreeves) Showcasing a fretful, morbid temperament. His powers are to contact the dead, levitate and telekinesis.
00.05 The Boy Disappeared at the age of ten and reappears in his childhood form 20 years into the future. (don't want to spoil here
)00.06 The Horror (Ben Hargreeves) He possesses monsters under his skin from other dimensions. He is deceased, but no information regarding his death is given. There is a memorial statue of him located in the front of the Academy
00.07 The White Violin (Vanya Hargreeves) The most estranged member of the group, Vanya showcases no particular powers, other than an interest in music. Vanya is known to have written a book detailing her life with the Academy and her decision to leave
Here'S a bunch of pics:Once, the Umbrella Academy was unstoppable. Under the tutelage of their guardian and mentor, Dr. Reginald Hargreeves, its members spent their childhoods fighting evil and honing their extraordinary gifts.
Until something went terribly wrong.
Now, nine years later, the estranged members of the Umbrella Academy are reunited by the death of the only parent they've ever known and the rise of a new and terrible threat. Will they be able to overcome their history for long enough to save the world-one more time?
Comments
One of the "heroes" who was adopted by the rather cold and heartless mentor showed no signs of special powers in childhood times and left. Another member disappeared at the age of ten and was never seen.
So far nothing totally unknown but when both characters return a weird story starts going dealing with time shifts and a mad force in form of the "Orchester der Verdammten" (orchestra of the damned) unleashes unearthly sounds creating a real bloodbath...
The characters are also very unusual showing a lot of personal dysfunctions and inner struggles.
I personally would say that everyone tired of the usual comic hero cliches should try this one - it's total unique, fresh and weird....
And with the last issue of series one titled "FINALE or Brothers and Sisters, I am an Atomic Bomb" I say you can't go wrong
Previews of a few pages from each issue can be found here:
http://www.darkhorse.com/Search/Browse/umbrella+academy/PpwNwkt8
When I have money I'll look into buying them.
(after I buy other books higher on my to read list first mind)
Luckily that didn't was the case