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Nathan James Norman

Husband. Father. Pastor.
Storyteller. Reader. Comic Fan.
Slave of the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Orchard Church

Review: Hand of the Morningstar

4/23/2013

2 Comments

 
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Summary: When super-powered eco-terrorist Tempest attacks an oil rig, the equally powered Hand of the Morningstar team fly in to save lives and put a stop to Tempest’s mayhem. As the world praises the team, the superheroes redirect the world’s attention to their mysterious and supernatural leader, the Morning Star, the person with a plan to save the world.

Review: I’m just going to spoil the review up front and say that I absolutely love this series! The series is an eight volume story that is highly character driven, filled with awesome super-powered fights, and a theological subtext that brought me to tears a number of times.

The book was originally written by Brett Burner and Mike Miller, with the art being drawn by Mike Miller as well. As the series progressed, Miller dropped off and newcomer Eric Ninaltowski took over the art and Ben Avery also joined the writing team. Usually a change in the creative team (although Burner stayed on the series throughout) is never a good sign, but all eight of the titles were written and drawn well.

The graphic novel series bogged down a little during volumes four and five, but that’s really my only complaint.

Hand of the Morningstar is a complex super-hero story. The heroes aren’t all heroes. Some of the bad guys use language and phrases like a church-going person might use . . . and that’s terrifying. We’re exposed to a wonderful love story, and exploration on truth and deception, redemption, damnation and the ultimate source of power. Fans of comics, superheroes, complex characters and action absolutely need to check out these books.

The books are appropriate for junior high levels and up. Take a peak at the trailer for the series:

Rating: 5/5 (I loved it)

The graphic novels were a part of the “Z Graphic Novels” line which was very poorly publicized and many readers had a very difficult time finding and buying all the books in the series. Because of this, I’ve listed all the titles, in order, here.
Hand of the Morningstar, Vol. 1: Advent
Hand of the Morningstar, Vol. 2: Resurrection
Hand of the Morning Star, Vol. 3: Confession
Hand of the Morning Star, Vol. 4: Emergence
Hand of the Morning Star, Vol. 5: Indoctrination
Hand of the Morning Star, Vol. 6: Allegiance
Revelation (Z Graphic Novels / Hand of the Morning Star)
Transformation (Z Graphic Novels / Hand of the Morning Star)
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2 Comments
Brett Burner link
12/7/2014 05:18:59 pm

Thanks for the props! The series is now being compiled into a two-book set! It will be available by the new year.

Reply
Nathan J. Norman link
12/10/2014 04:04:02 am

Wonderful! Congratulations on the successful Kickstarter campaign!

Reply



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