MADAME MIRAGE #1 - THE FULL FIRST ISSUE

[MattBrady]

With issues #1-#3 completely sold out at the distributor level (copies may still be available at retailer outlets), Top Cow has provided Newsarama with the full first issue of Paul Dini and Kenneth Rocafort’s Madame Mirage.

The original solicitation for the series first issue read:

Madame Mirage #1

(W) Paul Dini (A) Kenneth Rocafort (Cov) Greg Horn, Rocafort

Superstar writer Paul Dini (52, Lost) makes an explosive return to Top Cow in 2007 when he brings brand new character Madame Mirage to the Top Cow!

But who is this beautiful woman who appears out of the mist? As deadly as she is beautiful, she is cutting a bloody path through the city's villains, who now wear suits and have "legitimate" businesses. But who is her ultimate prey? And how does this Mirage take form? And why is her destiny and that of her sidekick Harper so irrevocably entwined? These and many other questions will be asked along with the most pivotal question of all – Who is Madame Mirage?

Dini weaves a tale of murder, intrigue and revenge in a world of high-tech espionage and treachery. Joining Dini is rising artistic star, Kenneth Rocafort (Hunter-Killer) with his atmospheric and kinetic style. The first issue features two covers by sensual cover artist Greg Horn (Superman Returns, She-Hulk) as well as a stunning cover by series artist Rocafort. Madame Mirage – you'll never forget her… if you can make her acquaintance and live to tell the tale…

Oversized first issue featuring bonus additional pages of story and art!

Click on the thumbnails for larger versions.

[JJMadera]

Never had the oportunity to read this before, looks good.

[Dman]

it's not a bad book, nice of them to post the first issue

[Super-Spider]

the comic looks really good. the art comes from none other than Kenneth Rocafort, viva puerto rico!!!

[Duke Jupiter]

Lots of pretty pictures with words here, but overall a severe lack of good comics storytelling. No thanks.

- DJ

[J. Dincauze]

Dini didn't work on 52.

[NatePetrelli]

Has anyone here actually been reading this?

I'd like to know how the next 3 issues have been

Pretty solid first issue and nice art.

[PoisonElf]

Originally Posted by NatePetrelli

Has anyone here actually been reading this?

I'd like to know how the next 3 issues have been

Pretty solid first issue and nice art.

Fantastic.

The story gets better and better with lots of twists, and inventive uses of her powers.
Her origin story is pretty clever too.

I highly recommend it.

[Kahn]

I can NOT find the first two issues in stores. It sucks. Will there be a trade anytime soon?

[zeitgeist07]

Originally Posted by PoisonElf

Fantastic.

The story gets better and better with lots of twists, and inventive uses of her powers.
Her origin story is pretty clever too.

I highly recommend it.

QFT!!! it's on my not-marvel-reading-list and that list is not very long

[Colonsus]

Hmmmm... this is not awesome.

[Jason Craig]

Originally Posted by Duke Jupiter

Lots of pretty pictures with words here, but overall a severe lack of good comics storytelling. No thanks.

- DJ

I agree the art is really nice........I see a Silvestri meets Capullo feel to the panels, but I also see a heavy handed Lienel Yu look to the art, which is sweet because all 3 artists I'm a big fan of.

The story telling comment was what got me.

Personally I think that is Yu's weaker points, his panel layouts are hard to follow at times, or its hard to decide should i read left to right or up and down now, but Silvestri and Capullo are masters at the field.....

My point, I really dig the storytelling/art and colors. I thought it was a nice package deal. I could go through all the pages, without reading the story, and follow whats happening,and thats the sign of a GOOD storyteller.

I really don't buy a lot of books anymore, barely have time to sleep because of the hours spent working on my own book, but i really enjoyed looking at this. Id be really interested in seeing the other books.

but thats me

-j

[SouthernHero]

I'm loving this series.

[sephiroth617]

Originally Posted by Kahn

I can NOT find the first two issues in stores. It sucks. Will there be a trade anytime soon?

Yeah, I'd like to know if there's gonna be a trade soon too.....looks good.

[Hoppy]

Her breasts are a trifle small, though.

[RedSquirrel]

Originally Posted by Kahn

I can NOT find the first two issues in stores. It sucks. Will there be a trade anytime soon?

You can't find that first two issues because they came out last summer. I like this book, but the erratic shipping schedule has me thinking I should have just waited for the trade. I predict a TPB in Fall '08.

Top Cow needs creators that don't treat their books like side projects. Paul Dini is not waking up every morning worrying about hammering out the next M. Mirage script.

All that aside, #4 was a nice ish.

[Simon DelMonte]

Interesting, but a bit cynical and I just can't approve of yet another oversexualized female lead.

[munsung02]

Originally Posted by Simon DelMonte

Interesting, but a bit cynical and I just can't approve of yet another oversexualized female lead.

There's actually a very good reason she looks the way she does. You find out in issue number 3 and it makes perfect, and very sad/poignant sense.

!!SPOILER!!

Mirage looks the way she does because she's an advanced hologram created in caricature of the the deceased older sister. The girl who was recording the video is the younger sister and out to destroy ASI for taking the killing her older sister and stealing her work. So she's created to look like the person they killed

[david r]

This looks good! I may start picking it up. I remember Paul Dini saying his wife looks like Madame Mirage. That must be why Paul always has a smile on his face.

[ArchonComics]

I've read the first two issues and really enjoyed them. The art is nothing short of of visual awesomeness. The story is keeps you interested with nice plot twists and fun characters.

[loosecannon]

Originally Posted by Hoppy

Her breasts are a trifle small, though.

[raucous laughter]

Yeah... I could never quite get into Top Cow, mainly because all it was was an excuse for any and all comics creators to make uncreative comics revolving around big breasted heroines.

Until Top Cow improves, make mine Kirkman!

[The6th]

Originally Posted by Colonsus

Hmmmm... this is not awesome.

Then what are you doing here???

From my point of view, Madame Mirage has been great since day one, and the last issues have just solidified that. People who've loved Dini's run on Detective Comics should really gice this book a look and see what happens when Dini gets completely unbound. I haven't been buying the monthly, but I'm planning on getting the trade, if there is a trade, and then start getting the monthly issues after the trade. Yet another book for my way too big stack...

[hondo]

Originally Posted by david r

This looks good! I may start picking it up. I remember Paul Dini saying his wife looks like Madame Mirage. That must be why Paul always has a smile on his face.

I saw her at San Diego Comic Con a couple of years ago. IIRC, she's a professional magician and wore the classic Zatanna fishnets for the Eisner Awards. Misty Lee, Paul Dini's wife.

[THE EOS]

Give me anything with Rocafort's art in it and I am all over that. I love his style! The kid definitely has skills with the hand and pencil. His art is very dynamic and flows well through each panel. In my opinion he is a good storyteller which is something that most comic artists lack majorly now days. Plus, how can you go wrong with Paul Dini holding the front lines? You can't!

Overall I think this book is good reading material with enough visual eye candy to feed you phat.



Where the spirit does not work with the hand there is no art,
THE EOS.-

www.myspace.com/idania_eos