Morning Star #2: Oh, Deer
Creative Team
writers: DAVID ANDRY and TIM DANIEL
artist: MARCO FINNEGAN
colorist: JASON WORDIE
letterer: JUSTIN BIRCH
publisher: MAD CAVE STUDIOS
Reviewed by Seth Adrian Romo
Morning Star #2 is a family drama wrapped up in a sci-fi mystery story and this issue continues to keep readers hooked.
Jolene Garrett is a recent widow doing her best to guide her son and daughter in the aftermath of family tragedy. On a trip to Montana to receive closure, it quickly becomes clear something is off with the wilderness around them.
Writers David Andry and Tim Daniel have crafted an excellent script and a family with heart and depth. While the mystery of what lurks in the forest is interesting on its own, readers will find themselves quickly connecting to Jolene as she tries to be strong for her kids.
It’s clear a lot of care went into creating a broken family unit that feels believable and readers will benefit from this intentional design. Every character is trying to put on a brave face, but the story is well-paced and allows for intimate vulnerable moments as Jolene and her kids Marabeth and Charlie struggle to collectively heal.
This is assisted by the art from Marco Finnegan and colors by Jason Wordie. As a character centric story the panels often focus on the core characters leaving the background devoid of too much detail. While this may sound like a bad thing, it works incredibly well as Wordie’s colors fill the spaces with deep hues. (Another note is the clever color palettes often are in the same tone as fire—which is a clever nod to their loss of Nathan Garrett on a failed attempt to battle a wildfire.)
The ethereal elements from the issue #1 may be limited in this entry, but readers can expect small reveals as to how the wilderness is not the way it used to be and how Nathan’s soul is still connected to the the Kootenai Forest in Montana.
Less is more with this story as there is not extensive exposition or overly stuffed plot points. This is a welcomed approach as it allows readers to connect with the Garrett family and quickly become invested in their story. Additionally, it allows the overarching narrative, visuals, and great lettering from Justin Birch to perfectly fill each page.
Final Verdict
With a tight script and excellent semi-retro art, Morning Star #2 continues to hook readers with the mystery unfolding. This comic book is a sincere family drama that captures readers for an emotional journey.
| Criteria | Score |
|---|---|
| Writing | 9.5 |
| Story/Plot | 9.0 |
| Art/Line Work | 9.0 |
| Colors | 9.5 |
| Final Score | 9.3/10 |