[BOOK REVIEW] Morning Glories: Truants Volume 4 by Nick Spencer

Title:  Morning Glories: Truants Volume 4

Author: Nick Spencer

Artist: Joe Eisma


Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy

Year Published: 2013

Year Read: 2013

Series: Morning Glories #4

Publisher: Image Comics

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 16+ (Strong Language and Gory Violence)
 

Introduction:

After reading the previous three volumes of Nick Spencer’s “Morning Glories” series, I was surprised to find myself actually wanting to read more adventures from the Morning Glories students and I finally managed to pick up the fourth volume “Morning Glories: Truants,” which introduces the next generation of the Morning Glories students!

What is this story about?

After the events that happened in the third volume, the Morning Glory students find themselves face to face with a group of students called the “Truants” (which includes Akiko, Fortunato, Ian, Guillaume, Irina and Vanessa) who happened to be on a mission to kill the creator of Morning Glory Academy.  But, will the Truants end up saving the Morning Glory students from the school itself or will they be a much bigger threat to the school and the students?

What I loved about this story:

Nick Spencer’s writing:  Nick Spencer’s writing is once again full of intensity and excitement!  I loved the fact that in this volume, we actually have a better background story of the teachers Georgina Darmount and Lara Hodge as I was wondering what their relationship with each other was really like and how they felt about obeying their “father” about dealing with the students.  Now, even though I would have been happier to see why the school wanted these particular students and what they are going to do to them, I am glad to actually get a good background story on Lara and Georgina since I could better understand their characters.  I also loved the fact that Nick Spencer introduced the Truants into this story as I was interested in seeing how they would deal with the strange and scary situations going on at Morning Glory Academy while colliding with the Morning Glory students.  I also loved the little nods to Marvel Comics, such as some of the references to “X-Men” sneaking up in this story, like this little exchange:

“How do you even do that?  You’re half my size.  You’re a girl.”

“So sexist.  It’s my special mutant power. Like Colossus!”

Joe Eisma’s artwork:  Joe Eisma’s artwork is once again extremely gorgeous in this volume as the characters look truly realistic and the violent scenes are done so well.  Call me a huge fan of gory violence, but I loved the way that Joe Eisma drew the gory scenes, such as people’s insides being ripped out, as they look so detailed that I was literally blown away by the horrific situation of those scenes.

What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

Just like the previous three volumes of this series, I often had trouble keeping up with the narration of the story.  As much as I like seeing the flashback sequences for the characters’ back stories, they often get in the way of telling the stories in the present day since they keep interrupting the flow of the stories.   Also, for anyone who does not like strong language and gory violence, this volume has tons of gory scenes of characters having their insides ripped out and a bit of strong language such as the use of the “f” word.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Morning Glories Volume Four: Truants” is a great volume that “Morning Glories” fans should definitely check out!  Now that Season One is done with, I cannot wait to see what will happen to these students in the future volumes!

 

[BOOK REVIEW] Morning Glories: P.E. Volume 3 by Nick Spencer

Title:  Morning Glories: P.E. Volume 3

Author: Nick Spencer

Artist: Joe Eisma


Genre: Sci-fi Fantasy

Year Published: 2012

Year Read: 2013

Series: Morning Glories #3

Publisher: Image Comics

Source:  Library

Content Rating: Ages 16+ (Strong Language and Gory Violence)
 

Introduction:

After reading the first two volumes of Nick Spencer’s current comic book series “Morning Glories,” I was interested in seeing what kind of strange and nightmarish adventures our main protagonists are getting themselves into this time.  Well, it turns out that there are even more twists and turns for the characters in this volume than ever before!

What is this story about?

In this volume, the faculty at Morning Glory Academy decided to cancel classes for the rest of the day just so the students could play a game called Woodrun.  Unfortunately, as the students start playing this mysterious game, things start getting really crazy when time travel and various flashbacks of the characters’ past lives start surfacing during the games!

What I loved about this story:

Nick Spencer’s writing:  Once again, Nick Spencer manages to weave in mystery and thrills into this volume as we see the Morning Glories go through various surreal situations during the mysterious game called Woodrun.  I enjoyed the way that Nick Spencer still manages to add more to the characters’ back stories such as Casey’s father being in the military, how the death of Jade’s mother affected Jade deeply and Zoe’s dark past with a teacher at her former school.  It added more dimensions to the characters and I would like to see whether or not these characters would overcome their dark pasts in order to survive in a school that is out to kill them.  I also loved the fact that this volume focuses more on the interpersonal relationships between the characters and how they are trying to get to know each other since it brought more depth to their personalities and it would be interesting to see in future volumes about whether or not they will try working better with each other to escape Morning Glories academy.

Joe Eisma’s artwork:  Once again, Joe Eisma’s artwork is just so gorgeous to look at as the characters glow right off the pages and the action sequences were drawn extremely well.  I also loved how Joe Eisma made the characters’ facial expressions look so realistic and effective as I really took in emotions that the characters were experiencing and I felt myself sympathizing with the majority of them.

What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

The main problem I been having with this series so far was that the stories continue to switch back and forth from the characters’ flashbacks to what is currently happening to them (and some awkward scenes where the characters time travel to different eras). Even though there is a clear story here, I felt that the constant switching of the narratives between the past and the present were a bit too frustrating to go through since I am one of those readers who prefers to read stories that take place in the present  and have flashback sequences happen in certain points of the story.  It is not that I hate flashback stories, it is just that in this case, the flashback stories of each character kind of slowed down the story for me and I was more interested in what was happening to the characters in the present rather than having more flashbacks of the characters’ past lives.  Also, for anyone who does not like strong language and gory violence, this volume contains quite of bit of both and it would best to skim over these scenes if they prove to be uncomfortable for the reader.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Morning Glories Volume Three: P.E.” is a pretty good volume that really explores the inner relationships of each character and reveals much more about each character and their journey in escaping from the nightmarish Morning Glory Academy!

 

 

[BOOK REVIEW] Morning Glories: All Will Be Free Volume 2 by Nick Spencer

Title:  Morning Glories:  All Will Be Free Volume 2

Author: Nick Spencer

Artist: Joe Eisma


Genre: Sci-fi Fantasy

Year Published: 2011

Year Read: 2013

Series: Morning Glories #2

Publisher: Image Comics

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 16+ (Strong Language and Gory Violence)



Introduction:

After reading the first volume of “Morning Glories Volume One: For a Better Future” by Nick Spencer along with artwork by Joe Eisma, I was curious to see how the characters would get out of the nightmarish Morning Glory Academy while keeping their sanities in check.  Now, I finally got around to reading the second volume of this series “Morning Glories Volume Two:  All Will be Free” and I am proud to say that the stories are starting to progress a bit more with these characters!

What is this story about?

In this volume, the six Glories Zoe, Hunter, Jun, Jade, Ike and Casey continue to try and solve the dark mysteries surrounding the school Morning Glory Academy.  But this time, we are treated to hearing the back stories of each character as they confront their dark pasts which could have an affect on their futures.

What I loved about this story:

Nick Spencer’s writing: After reading the first volume, I was wondering about where each of these characters came from and why they seem to be so troubled.  Well, Nick Spencer has finally given us the back stories of each of these characters and I really loved how the back stories really fleshed the characters out!  Nick Spencer really made each characters’ back stories dark and tragic, which really made me feel so much for the characters and it makes me hope that each of the characters would confront their dark pasts and try to benefit themselves in the future.  I also started to connect a bit more with the characters now that their back stories are revealed because in the first volume, I could not get into the characters since I did not know much about their backgrounds. Nick Spencer did a brilliant job at telling the story from the perspectives of all six of the Glory students as it helps gave each character a purpose in the story. I also loved the way that Nick Spencer continues to build up the suspense and mystery of Morning Glory Academy as I was yearning to find out the mysteries of the academy and what the staff wants with the chosen students.

Joe Eisma’s artwork:  Joe Eisma’s artwork as usual is truly beautiful and is probably the best aspect of this series.  I loved the way that Joe Eisma made all the characters realistic and gorgeous as it really brings so much clarity to the story and it makes this series stand out in its creativity.  I also loved the scenes with the flashbacks of each character as the coloring is done in brown as it really helps set the flashback sequences apart from the present stories being told.

What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

The reason why I gave this volume a four star rating, even though I loved the fact that the characters’ back stories are now told, is because there were times where the story got a bit confusing and it was a bit difficult to understand the story.  There also seems to be too many events going on in this book as the actions of the characters are rushed through a bit too quickly and I sort of wish that more time was spent on trying to explain the actions of the characters.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Morning Glories Volume Two: All Will be Free” is a great continuation to the first volume and I definitely cannot wait to see if the Glories will escape from this school and what the school really wants with these students!

[BOOK REVIEW] Morning Glories: For a Better Future Volume 1 by Nick Spencer

Title:  Morning Glories:  For a Better Future Volume 1

Author:  Nick Spencer

Artist: Joe Eisma

Genre: Sci-Fi Fantasy

Year Published: 2011

Year Read: 2013

Series: Morning Glories #1

Publisher: Image Comics

Source:  Library

Content Rating:  Ages 16+ (Strong Language and Gory Violence)



Introduction:

I have read so many comics from Image Comics and I have been enjoying many of them so far!  So, I stumbled upon this new series written by Nick Spencer called “Morning Glories Volume One: For a Better Future” and this is honestly my first comic book that I had read by Nick Spencer.  Now, when I first saw this comic book, I actually thought that this series was something similar to the premise of “X-Men” where the main characters have special powers and learn how to control them.  However, I was quite surprised to see a different set up in this comic than what I would normally expect from a comic book that has high school aged teenagers attending a special school!

What is this story about?

Morning Glory Academy is known as one of the most prestigious prep schools in the country and six students are chosen to attend the academy which includes Casey Blevins, Fukayama Jun, Hunter, Jade, Ike, and Zoe.  Unfortunately, the six students will soon discover that there is a dark secret lurking around the school and they must find a way to escape the school before it is too late!

What I loved about this story:

Nick Spencer’s writing: Nick Spencer did a great job at providing us a story that dealt with six students trying to find out the dark secrets of Morning Glory Academy and how they will escape their torturous sessions (it is practically “Lost” a la mode, since it focuses on the mystery segments and the constant use of flashbacks). I really liked the way that Nick Spencer built up the mystery surrounding Morning Glory Academy and I was wondering about what the staff wanted from the six students and what their ultimate plan for the students is. I also really loved the character Casey Blevins of this story as she is a strong female protagonist who is willing to help out the other students escape the academy and I loved the way she used her intelligence to trick the school system into not figuring out her plans.

Joe Eisma’s artwork:  Joe Eisma’s artwork is just fantastic in this graphic novel as the characters look truly realistic (kind of reminded me of the characters from “Buffy the Vampire Slayer”).  The colorings really glowed off the pages and it made the characters look so fluid. I really loved the school uniforms that the students had to wear as it really brought out a unique spin on academy focused stories and it brought a more authoritative air to the story.

What made me feel uncomfortable about this story:

One of the main problems I had with this graphic novel was that the pacing for the second half of the story started slowing down as some of the heavy dialogues started becoming more apparent.  I often found myself getting bored with the heavy dialogues of the teachers as it really slowed the pace down and it threw the story into another direction that was different from the main story.  Another problem I had with the story was that the plot tended to jump all over the place such as one moment, we are in the present day and then the next moment, we have a flashback from one of the characters. It made me wonder sometimes about what was really happening in the story and what did the flashbacks have to do with the main story at hand.  Also, for anyone who does not like strong language or violence, this volume has plenty of language and scenes of characters getting murdered in bloody and graphic ways, so it might be best to skim over these scenes if they are too squeamish for you.

Final Thoughts:

Overall, “Morning Glories Volume One:  For a Better Future” is a great introductory volume into Nick Spencer’s “Morning Glories” series and I will try to check out the rest of this series to find out more about the mysterious and frightening Morning Glory Academy!