REVIEW: What happens when you die in ‘Reborn #1′

In expanding the Millarverse, Scottish scribe Mark Millar explores the concept of life beyond in REBORN #1, with artist extraordinaire Greg Capullo. What if we’re told that whatever we do in life will be reciprocated by going to either heaven or perdition is a big illusion after all. Instead, we are brought to a single place we’ve to fight until we cease to exist. That’s what I can condense after reading this mind-blowing chapter in which includes the equally senses-shattering artwork of co-creator Capullo.

Anyways, Millar has two stories intertwined, the past and the present, until the final reveal comes forth to make sense what the title series is all about (plus, the hype surrounding it). Old loved ones are explored, particularly those who died violently and quietly, with Millar’s trademark violent and mushy moments and dialogues. In a more surprising note here, Mark wants to be more philosophical here because life beyond is something not to be taken lightly (read: religion). Well, Mark is Catholic but he lies to twist that religious notion into his own dystopia, with theme of family and its connectivity beyond corporal existence. Sure, this initial issue gives the opportunity to introduce some interesting characters and the plot though the characterizations are focused more on the femme fatale than the rest of the involved here. I hope other members are given the chance to be known and/or familiarized in the succeeding chapters. In short, Reborn #1 starts off well, another Mark Millar literary trademark.

Truth of the matter here is that the biggest attraction here is no other than Greg Capullo and his hyper-detailed, highly kinetic and painstaking artwork from start to finish. Fans and aficionados from his Spawn years up to his epic New 52 Batman run would surely or definitely love his first ever collaborative-creator-owned series. Even though the dialogues and/or scripts are necessary to comprehend what’s the story all about, Greg’s art alone demonstrates how far his visual storytelling and the intricate artwork evolve to greater lengths to the degree, I opine, Millar has to accommodate the artist’s artistic skills rather than the other way around, similar to what Scott Snyder did then in DC’s New 52 Batman. Gorgeous, exquisite and majestic, I can’t wait further for Greg’s world-building of the Reborn series, in addition of his unmatched visual sequences of mayhem, blood and excellent paneling.

Reborn #1 introduces another component to the expanding universe Mark Millar loves to explore. Millar may be the brains, but Greg Capullo’s interiors (plus his cover arts) are the true hallmarks of this quasi-philosophical graphic representations of what is life beyond salvation. CHEERS!