[Comic Book Review] The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1 from Dark Horse Comics

PopCultHQ received an advance review copy of The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1 from Dark Horse Comics. Available on Wednesday, October 3rd, the issue features writing from Gerard Way, and illustrations from Gabriel Bá, colors by Nick Filardi, and letters from Nate Piekos.

Here’s PopCultHQ’s Spoiler-Free Review of…

The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1

Writer: Gerard Way
Artist: Gabriel Bá
Colorist: Nick Filardi
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Cover Artist: Gabriel Bá

Publication Date: October 03, 2018
Price: $3.99

Gerard Way & Gabriel Bá reunite!

Faced with an increasing number of lunatics with superpowers eager to face off with his own wunderkind brood, Sir Reginald Hargreeves developed the ultimate solution.

Now, just a few years after Hargreeves’s death, his Umbrella Academy is scattered. Number Five is a hired gun, Kraken is stalking big game, Rumor is dealing with the wreckage of her marriage, a rotund Spaceboy runs around the streets of Tokyo, Vanya continues her physical therapy after being shot in the head–and no one wants to even mention Seance until issue #2.

With a Netflix series soon to debut, the award-winning and best-selling superhero series returns, stranger than ever.

And their past is coming back to hunt them.

The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1 preview page 1

PopCultHQ’s Comic Book Review:
The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1

It’s the return of one of the most messed up families in comics. And with their return, a reuniting of a power duo. Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá back in action, doing what they do best with characters they know best. Time to get down to business, the hero business that is, because The Umbrella Academy is at it again, and this will be an adventure that no one wants to miss.

Writing:

Gerard Way is a man who commands adoration both within the music industry and the comics industry. His stories and songs have delighted people for years. And now, he comes home to Dark Horse and his twisted family of super-people. Fans of both Way and these heroes will cheer as they dive into issue #1. It has it all and more, with a few twists, turns, and surprises thrown in as well. A crisp script and stand-out setup, there’s a lot to enjoy here, with promises of more on the way.

Art:

It’s time to get back into the action with Gabriel Bá. His artwork is absolutely stunning, as it always is. But here, seeing it again wedded to one of Gerard’s scripts, with characters that are tied to these two, it’s magical. There’s so much familiar stuff shown in this first issue, and so much new stuff too. It’s bold, dramatic, scary, exciting, and dares readers to come along on this adventure with them. Whatever may happen, whatever comes along, will be showcased because of Gabriel and his art.

The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1 preview page 2

Colors:

Nick’s colors are just downright crazy. There is this absolutely marvelous blending of dark and light colors, all mixed together at times to help bring Gabriel’s art to life. And this reviewer will confess, that there are moments reading issue #1 where the color gets so vivid and awesome. It feels as if the color moves along the page, and will carry the reader with it. A wonderful first outing of his and Gabriel working together on the series, heralding more to come.

Letters:

Nate’s an old hat when it comes to lettering in the comics game. And it’s great to have him back with Gerard and Gabriel on The Umbrella Academy again. His well-known style of lettering has always meshed well with Gerard’s stories and Gabriel’s art. And here, he gets to letter familiar faces (the Children etc.) and new ones (not saying who). All in all, its wonderful to see this trio working hand in hand once more.

The Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion #1 preview page 3

PopCultHQ’s Overall Assessment:

11 years ago, the first issue of The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite came out. 9 years ago, Gerard Way announced the title of this, the third installment of his work with Gabriel Bá of their famous team. And at last, here it is. An opening gambit to kick off a long-awaited reunion. It’s jam-packed with everything people have wanted and waited for: The Children, adventure, crazy super-heroics, villains, a hidden secret. All adding up to be a sure-fire foray into the familiar world of the Hargreeves family.