Review: Star-Crossed #1
From Dark Horse Comics
A new science fiction crime series beginning this week from Dark Horse Comics in Star-Crossed #1.
The two greatest thieves in the universe have a price on their head and every single bounty hunter alive is out to collect it.
Thena Khole and Cody Blue have been living the high life since they robbed the richest woman in the universe, but they put a price on their heads when they did so, and the galaxy’s greatest bounty hunter is now after them for the biggest payday of his career.
Author: Mark Millar
Artist: Corrado Mastantuono
Launching a brand-new series by dropping readers straight into the aftermath of a robbery is a bold move, but it works remarkably well here. Rather than spending pages building up to the heist itself, the story immediately focuses on the consequences, and that proves to be far more interesting. We quickly get a sense of the people who have been robbed, and while they are technically the victims, they certainly aren’t portrayed as sympathetic. Instead, they come across as the sort of dangerous individuals you definitely wouldn’t want hunting you down, immediately giving the story a sense of tension before we’ve even properly met our protagonists.
Once the spotlight shifts to the thieves, the comic begins to reveal more of its personality. There is a brief but intriguing mention of blood tests that feels far too deliberate to be a throwaway detail. It isn’t explored much here, but it immediately plants the seed that there is something bigger going on beneath the surface. I’m expecting that particular plot point to become much more significant as the series develops. For now, though, our leads have other priorities, namely enjoying the rewards of their successful score.
The celebration takes us into a lavish, high-class party that offers a fun contrast to the dangerous opening. The setting allows the creative team to have a bit of fun with the world-building, and the pop culture references sprinkled throughout were particularly entertaining. Some of them feel like affectionate nods to franchises and trends that have had their day, making them both nostalgic and amusing. It gives the issue an offbeat sense of humour that caught me by surprise and earned more than a few smiles.
Of course, it wouldn’t be much of a story if everything went according to plan. The party is violently interrupted when bounty hunters arrive, turning the lavish celebration into complete chaos. This is where the pacing really picks up, with the action sequences flowing smoothly from panel to panel. There are several inventive moments during the confrontation, and I particularly enjoyed how the eventual escape was handled. It never feels like an easy way out; instead, the groundwork is laid beforehand, making the solution feel clever and earned rather than convenient.
That escape naturally pushes the story into its next phase, with the pair now firmly on the run. Just when you think the issue is winding down, we’re introduced to another key figure who looks set to complicate matters even further. It’s a strong hook that leaves plenty of questions unanswered without feeling frustrating, giving readers a solid reason to return for the next chapter.
Overall, this first issue succeeds as a lively and engaging introduction to a universe that already feels much larger than what we’ve seen so far. It has echoes of some of the stranger, more imaginative science fiction stories from 2000 AD, embracing bizarre ideas while never losing sight of its entertaining central characters. By beginning after the main event instead of before it, the comic immediately establishes momentum and lets the fallout drive the narrative forward.
The artwork is another major strength. The action scenes are packed with energy, making every chase and fight feel fluid and dynamic. The colouring deserves particular praise, with vibrant neon shades giving the entire comic a stylish, futuristic atmosphere. Combined with some wonderfully distinctive costume designs, the visual presentation helps the series carve out its own identity from the very first issue.
Overall, Star-Crossed #1 delivers an entertaining opening chapter that mixes science fiction, humour and action into a confident debut. It throws readers into the deep end, trusts them to keep up, and rewards that trust with a fast-paced adventure full of intriguing ideas. It’s certainly a little different from the norm, and that’s exactly what makes it such an enjoyable start.
