Second Coming Trinity #1 Review

 

Second Coming Trinity #1 Review

Writer: Mark Russell

Artists: Richard Pace & Leonard Kirk

Colorist: Andy Troy

Letterer: Rob Steen

Cover Artists: Richard Pace; Howard Chaykin

 

Bonus Short Story: Extra Credit 3: The Groundskeeper

Writer: Tyrone Finch

Artist: Cayetano Valenzuela

 

Bonus Short Story: Ingredients Of Matter

Writer: Darrick Patrick

Artist: Ed Catto

 

Publisher: Ahoy Comics

Price: $3.99

Release Date: April 5, 2023

 

God The Father decides Earth could use a hand, so he sends his only begotten son to live with a superhero. Can Jesus help Sunstar create a better world? Let’s open our copies of Second Coming Trinity #1 to page 1 and find out!

 

Story

In Mark Russell’s story, Sunstar has helped complete work on humanity’s first space elevator. This achievement—envisioned by such novelists as David Gerrold in Jumping Off The Planet, Kim Stanley Robinson in Blue Mars, and Arthur C. Clark in 3001: The Final Odyssey—will make space exploration easier by reducing the costs of transporting people and materials out of Earth's gravity well. That such a long-desired dream has been realized so quickly underlines how superheroes could reshape our world. Still, the focus of Second Coming Trinity #1 is more down-to-Earth.

 

Sunstar attends Crannius’ trial. There seems little doubt the supervillain is responsible for many deaths. Yet Sunstar can't help feeling guilty. Did his actions shape Crannius' character? He remembers attending their 20-year High School Reunion. While Crannius tried to connect, Sunstar stood apart with his superhero friend Maris, Prince Of The Sea. When Crannius tried to fit in, Sunstar undermined his efforts. During a court break, Sunstar phones home. Babysitting Sunstar's infant, Jesus urges compassion. 

 

Art

Old School layouts make Second Coming Trinity #1 easy to follow. Sunstar and his friend Maris are readily comparable to Superman and Aquaman. Crannius’ swollen and cracked head reminds us of the Moon, where he perpetrated his alleged crimes. Mrs. Gaddis—the school's old lunch lady—looks and acts like Gru's mother in Despicable Me. Jesus could have walked out of a painting at your local church, and Sunstar's superpowered son Jordan is adorable.  

 

Andy Troy enhances Richard Pace & Leonard Kirk's 60's era art with soft, pleasing coloring. He loads his palette with complementary colors and shades with gray or darker tones. While he pays great attention to light sources and shadows, both are understated. Andy often adds a light background color that never distracts attention from the panels. His colors gradually strengthen as the story builds toward a satisfying climax.

 

Rob Steen's uppercase letters make this comic a blessing. Spherical dialogue balloons are easy to read and follow. Offscreen speech and inner thoughts appear in white narrative boxes. When Sunstar uses his cell phone, Jesus' dialogue manifest in a starburst. Jesus' counsel to Sunstar appears on scraps of yellowed parchment. Big yellow letters signal time and location shifts, and page numbers are a godsend in Second Coming Trinity #1. 

 

 

In Tyrone Finch's story, Extra Credit 3: The Groundskeeper, Bryce--a skateboard enthusiast--demolishes a cherished bed of rhododendrons. When Mr. Conrad orders him to repair the damage, Bryce discovers the groundskeeper’s office is stocked with wonders to rival the TARDIS in the Doctor Who story The Caretaker. This rousing adventure will test Bryce and give him insight into a man he never previously respected. Did Finch's character Thunderbolt prompt Cayetano Valenzuela to give Mr. Conrad a Thor-like aspect? Or was he inspired by Jason Aaron's seven-year run on Thor?

 

Ed Catto’s illustration for Ingredients Of Matter suggests the 1977 movie The Incredible Melting Man. Darrick Patrick's story seems closer to the 1980 movie Altered States. While Mark Russell’s Jesus speaks plainly, Ingredients Of Matter seems a metaphor for how education and experience expand our worldview. Readers of such trippy fare may enjoy the dark and disturbing Hairball #1, new this week from Dark Horse Comics.

 

Final Thoughts

Pleasing composition and imagery accompany inspiring ideas, character development, and story themes in Second Coming Trinity #1. Relatable characters and situations seasoned with humor and charm invite readers to reevaluate their lives and interactions with others.

 

Rating: 9.3/10

 

To preview interior art see my review at Comic Book Dispatch.