Always embarrassing when someone comes to a party with the same outfit you’re wearing.
Star Power #25
(October, 2018)
“The Choir Of Doctor Hymn” finale
WRITER: Michael Terracciano
ARTIST: Garth Graham
COVER ART: Krystilyn
Dr. Brightman (hey, I finally have a first name for her…Correia) is shocked that Hymn’s “flash clones” (adult clones with a short lifespan that have to be “programmed” to be adults) are his choir and that he cares so little for his “instruments”. The others are also clued in just as Danica’s flash clone is also complete, but in pain and enraged, attacking everybody. Star Power is forced to fight her, seeing through her eyes when it attacks Correia. In fact, she’s forced to kill her clone “sister” when it proves to live up to Mitch’s nickname, “Monstar Power”. Hymn kills his assistant because she failed to keep the evening under control. (She’s also a clone, using DNA from the smuggled people Burke found, in hopes of creating a new kind of sound.) However, his “order 66” style command doesn’t fully work on the rogue, who resists the order long enough for Correia to kick Hymn in his other instrument. The case is solved, but Danica is shaken by having to kill her clone, Correia by her hero being evil, and Burke still angry over Danica’s comments. However, that last wound may actually be capable of healing when Danica makes the effort. With pizza.
There’s also a back-up story in the online version of Star Power bringing gifts to her friends at Christmas. Terracciano seems to be doing the art since I recognize his style from Dominic Deegan: Oracle For Hire when I had to look up the comic for research about his ConnectiCon appearances, but with Graham still credited it may be a complete swap of the usual roles, with Graham doing the story. It’s a cute little story with little dialog.
What they got right: The action is really good but what makes this issue click is the character moments. There’s no laughing this off. Danica is shaken by her actions, even though they were necessary, and has to be supportive of her mentor. She also has to put the effort into mending bridges with Burke after the things she accused him of (and yet he still saves her from an attack by Monstar Power, proving he’s one of the good guys now), which she’s legitimately sorry for. There’s also a call back to “Free Bird” when Danica arrives at Burke’s place. The rogue singer has to say goodbye to his friend. The pain of everything that happened is felt at the end and it hits hard, but there’s still signs of being able to recover. We also get a filler page in the online version (not sure where it shows up in the digital or physical book) about the flash clones and the ethics that the Millenium Federation came up with to stop their creation, but to treat the clones like people if they are made, making their short lives as pleasant as possible. Also, Hymn is just flat out evil, even if he doesn’t see it that way since to him only the music matters. He’s not evil for evil sake but still totally evil and unrepentant, a great villain.
What they got wrong: The human smuggling subplot gets resolved…weird. Hymn wanting new material to improve his “instruments” feels like they didn’t know what to do with the subplot and this is what they came up with. That might not be the case and this was their plan all along, but it doesn’t feel like a very good ending. Hopefully it at least leads to a pardon for Burke.
What I think overall: This might be my favorite issue thus far. Everything just comes together nicely (except for the aforementioned smuggling subplot). Danica isn’t perfect but she tries to fix her mistakes, and that’s why we love her. It’s a great mix of action and character. As for Monstar Power, she’s best served as a one-time threat because any further appearances would weaken her given she’s attacking out of pain and imperfect as a clone.
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