Shi Lalis needs to go on a diet.
Star Power #12
(November, 2015)
“The Mystery Of The Zel Gux Dynasty” part 2
WRITER: Michael Terracciano
ARTIST: Garth Graham
If you do so, note that as of this writing page 14 is down. It goes from 13 to 15 and if you try to get there manually you get a link down message with a confused Star Power.
After alerting the authorities to their new tourist scientific addition, our heroes head to the next planet, Hydrolax. This world has created a sort of summer resort near the palace, but while waiting for their turn to explore they check out the beach. Danica and Kaylo go swimming, but when Kaylo starts his usual pranks Danica goes into Star Power mode, alerting a local creature who brings them to the underwater Hydrolaxian kingdom to meet the Infinite King. His Magesty (yes, that’s how they spell it in the comic, and Danica gets corrected when she slips into “Majesty”) gives her a test of honesty, which she passes without knowing she was taken, granting her the second key and the next location. Back on Sanctuary Six, a PsyCop agent named Quincy is interviewing the Countess while in space the Void Angels have arrived in Star Power’s location.
In the back-up story the hunter and storyteller arrive at the fallen star and find the Zel Gux’s crashed starship. But what are they building?
What they got right: With no villains to fight in this issue, it’s all just exploring and enjoying the planets they’re on. After the previous storyline they need this time to relax, and although the search for the last Star Power signal is the goal it’s also rather easy after dealing with Black Hole Bill and the Supernova Dragon Lords. Plus the story is just fun to read. They’re good characters and while we don’t get a lot of characterization we do get their personalities as friends. Even Beena’s growing disappointment about the changes in facts (I think we learn later she feels like she’s not pulling her own weight on the mission or being helpful to her new idol, Star Power) makes her feel like a growing addition to the group. Additionally, Quincy’s interview with the Countess gives us more into their history just as we learn more about the Zel Gux and their apparent connection to the Star Power Sentinels.
What they got wrong: Still getting annoyed by the Void Angels appearance. The team leader may be the only one this gung ho but I just want to hit him with a meteor the more he appears.
What I think overall: I hope they fix the missing page but I think they’re on to new projects these days. This is a fascinating and fun storyline that reminds me why I love superheroes and disappoints me so many modern superhero stories have forgotten those aspects.
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