Omega the Unknown

[astronato]

I did not see a thread started for issue 3 and figured it would be better to have one thread discussing the entire series.

So how are you liking this book so far?

JONATHAN LETHEM ON OMEGA THE UNKNOWN

[astronato]

OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #1 (of 10)
Written by JONATHAN LETHEM with KARL RUSNAK
Art by FAREL DALRYMPLE & PAUL HORNSCHEMEIER
The story of a mute, reluctant superhero from another planet, and the earthly teenager with whom he shares a strange destiny -- and the legion of robots and nanoviruses that have been sent from afar to hunt the two of them down. Created in 1975 by Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes, the original Omega The Unknown lasted only ten issues but was a legend to those who recall it -- an ahead-of-its-time tale of an anti-hero, inflected with brilliant ambiguity. One of Omega's teenage fans was award-winning novelist Jonathan Lethem, who has used the original as a springboard for a superbly strange, funny, and moving graphic novel in ten chapters.
32 PGS./Rated T+?$2.99

[astronato]

OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #2 (of 10)
Written by JONATHAN LETHEM WITH KARL RUSNAK
Art by FAREL DALRYMPLE & PAUL HORNSCHEMEIER
The plot deepens and thickens and grows strange in author Jonathan Lethem's labor-of-love retelling of the legend of Omega the Unknown, the noble and enigmatic superhero from another world, and Titus Alexander Island, the earthly teenager lucky -- or is it unlucky? -- enough to find himself under the wing of this uncanny protector.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ?$2.99

[Bevbos]

Best book Marvel is currently publishing.

Got that Twin Peaks vibe I dig so much...

[astronato]

OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #3 (of 10)
Written by JONATHAN LETHEM WITH KARL RUSNAK
Pencils & Cover by FAREL DALRYMPLE & PAUL HORNSCHEMEIER
Alex goes to school, the robots deliver some poisoned gifts, Omega gets a day job and The Unparalleled Mink goes a-courtin' in this third issue of the mysterious, absurd and poignant tale of the mute superhero from another world, a revival of the Gerber-Skrenes cult legend by novelist Jonathan Lethem.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ?$2.99

[astronato]

Originally Posted by Bevbos

Best book Marvel is currently publishing.

Got that Twin Peaks vibe I dig so much...

I was going to say...very last episode of St Elsewhere-ish

But I loved Twin Peaks too

[astronato]

OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #4 (of 10)
Written by JONATHAN LETHEM WITH KARL RUSNAK
Pencils & Cover by FAREL DALRYMPLE & PAUL HORNSCHEMEIER
The schooldays of Alex Island, Omega's youthful counterpart, take a swerve into teen tragedy, raising the question: What's worse, an invasion of interstellar robots intent on poisoning our nation's precious hamburger supply with nanotechnology or an ordinary day in a public high school in New York City? Plus, the robots don't give The Mink a hand?they take one.
32 PGS./Rated T+ ?$2.99

[artiepants]

the art looks amazing, i might pick up the trade if it gets good reviews...

[scottmdavis]

its definitely different. I've read two issues, but I thik I will wait for the trade or possivle OSHC. at ten issues it better get an OSHC!

[astronato]

OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #5 (of 10)
Written by JONATHAN LETHEM WITH KARL RUSNAK
Penciled by FAREL DALRYMPLE & PAUL HORNSCHEMEIER
Omega gets a job in a fast-food joint, the Unparalleled Mink loses a family member and a body part, and Alex discovers that when you run away from home it's probably better not to retrace your steps, in the fifth chapter of the future-award-winning reprisal of Steve Gerber and Mary Skrenes "Omega The Unknown" by Jonathan Lethem, Karl Rusnak, Farel Dalrymple and Paul Hornschemeier
32 PGS./Rated T+?$2.99

[astronato]

OMEGA: THE UNKNOWN #6 (of 10)
Written by JONATHAN LETHEM & KARL RUSNAK
Pencils & Cover by FAREL DALRYMPLE & PAUL HORNSCHEMEIER
Twin funerals deepen and darken the saga of young Alex Island and his mysterious protector, Omega The Unknown. Also in this issue: Alex goes to college! And we get a glimpse of some genuine panels from the comic-within-a-comic, The Unparalleled Mink, by a special guest artist.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

[astronato]

So, is it all in the kids mind?

[Bevbos]

By "Twin Peaks vibe," I mean, seemingly a comedy on a lot of levels, but still filled with an eerie aura of suspense and danger just under the surface. Even the ostensible protagonist, the Mink, seems to really just be a surface-level player. Very odd stuff. I like it a lot.

[astronato]

Here are 6 or 7 preview pages of issue #1 and a review over at IGN.

[astronato]

Originally Posted by Bevbos

By "Twin Peaks vibe," I mean, seemingly a comedy on a lot of levels, but still filled with an eerie aura of suspense and danger just under the surface. Even the ostensible protagonist, the Mink, seems to really just be a surface-level player. Very odd stuff. I like it a lot.

Yeah, this is definitely off kilter (with a quirky sense of humor). I'm thinking that the Mink is a stand in for the bullies in the kids school. There was a line the Mink said about putting birth control pills in someones drink when he they were kids. But that's probably wrong.

[astronato]

Originally Posted by artiepants

the art looks amazing, i might pick up the trade if it gets good reviews...

Here is a 5 star review over at ....Silver Bullet

[astronato]

Here is a brief review of the original 1970's Omega the Unknown, including 4 or 5 preview pages.....over at UGO

[JustAnothaSucka]

as a fan of both the writer and the artist I am really enjoying this one. And as much as I'm enjoying it monthly I can't wait till it ties up and can be read as the comic novel it is meant to be, then Farel can back to work on Pop Gun War as well.

[BillReed]

I like it. The sales are in the toilet, which is a shame.

I'd buy this thing just for the art. Luckily, the story's good.

[cernunnos]

I like the Omega the Unknown mini so far. It's a little out there, that's for sure. It's not a typical superhero comic.

[mike oxbig]

I'm excited for the trade/HC for sure. I read the first issue and it seems that's the only format that will do the story justice.

[astronato]

Preview of issue 4 over at Wizard Entertainment

[Stephen Day]

Originally Posted by BillReed

I like it. The sales are in the toilet, which is a shame.

I recall in one of the interviews for this series it being mentioned that the monthly sales weren't expected to be good. The trade sales, particularily in bookstores, was where the sales were actually expected to be.

[bebopeva88]

Originally Posted by Stephen Day

I recall in one of the interviews for this series it being mentioned that the monthly sales weren't expected to be good. The trade sales, particularily in bookstores, was where the sales were actually expected to be.

Yeah, that's the expectation with many of the lesser known minis written by popular authors, such as the White Tiger mini.

[Crump's Brother]

I've read up to issue #3, what issue is out now? It's a great series. It will be an awesome trade too.