Warning: contains potential spoilers for Order and Outrage #1!Jim Starlin, the legendary creator of Thanos, has returned to the space opera genre in a grand fashion with Order and Outrage from Dark Horse Comics. The new four-issue miniseries sees Starlin team with artist Rags Morales to craft a compelling science fiction story that deals head-on with issues of class and socioeconomic status, as well as the ethics of genetic engineering and manipulation. Fans of Starlin’s cosmic work will find much to love in Order and Outrage.
Although Jim Starlin did not create the “cosmic” side of Marvel, he went a long way in helping shape it, creating Thanos, Gamora, Drax the Destroyer and others. In addition to creating Thanos, Starlin had a memorable run on Captain Marvel, ultimately getting the opportunity to bring Mar-Vell’s story to an end. Perhaps Starlin’s best known work is 1991’s Infinity Gauntlet. With artist George Perez, Starlin created one of Marvel’s biggest stories, a grand cosmic epic that pitted Marvel's heroes against Thanos, who had used the Gauntlet to kill half of the universe. This story would form the basis for the first three phases of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, helping put Starlin’s creations into the mainstream. While largely known for his Marvel work, Starlin has also done extensive work at DC as well as creator-owned books. Now, Starlin has returned to the space opera genre he perfected at Marvel in Order and Outrage.
The First Issue Of Order and Outrage Teases Intriguing Mysteries
Starlin and Morales are joined by colorist Hailey R. Brown and letterer Michael Heisler for this four-issue miniseries. The first issue is set across three different time frames, with stories that at first do not seem to relate, yet as they progress the reader begins to see them come together. On the planet Penetralia, a mysterious woman awakens, finding herself face to face with agents of the fascist Order. Meanwhile, in another time, a young outcast is also facing the Order, as they attempt to purge her and other “non-essentials.” Finally, another young woman, also an agent of the Order, finds herself plagued with doubt and paranoia. Starlin and Morales move the story along at a deft pace as they weave the various storylines together and seed mysteries for future issues.
Order and Outrage is Peak Starlin
Order and Outrage is a return to cosmic form for Starlin. His name is synonymous with grand, space opera stories with heavy philosophical and metaphysical themes, and Order and Outrage is firmly in this tradition. Starlin is not content to rehash old material and in Order and Outrage he and Morales explore intersectionality, looking at how much a person is shaped by race and class. The Order exterminates those who they view as “non-essential,” and the issue defines it as anyone who is not rich. In a world of escalating wealth inequality and brutality on the part of the state, Order and Outrage is a highly relevant comic.
Order and Outrage not only sees Starlin firing on all cylinders, but penciler Rags Morales as well. Morales breathes life into Starlin’s characters, and working with Brown’s vibrant colors, brings the world of Order and Outrage to life. Fans of Jim Starlin’s cosmic stories and creations such as Thanos should read Order and Outrage for it is a grand return to the space opera he is known for.
Order and Outrage #1 is on sale now from Dark Horse Comics!