Ultra #3
Image Comics
Credits: Jonathan Luna- plot, art, colors, letters
Joshua Luna- plot, script, layout assists
Price: $2.95

Rating: 3 stars

Ultra is one of the coolest books to come out of the Image Farm Team since Robert Kirkham dazzled readers with Invincible. Created by the Luna Brothers, Ultra is a matter of fact look at the life outside the cape of super heroine Ultra and her friends. From nights out on the town to lunch at a local pizza place, to the occasional head bashing, this book covers it all.

Issue three takes readers deeper into Heroine Inc. with a glimpse into an interview with a potential employee. The underlying humor is made even funnier by the script?s blatant serious nature. Ultra changes into her civilian identity of Pearl to get ready for her first date in quite awhile. Assisting her with her preparation are friends Liv and Jen, who are also heroines. Their banter is playful and realistic. Readers are then taken along on the event itself, which plays into a comedy of errors.

The Luna Brothers have taken an age old concept and brought a modern flavor to it. It blows me away to see two guys make one of the most fun reads from a woman?s perspective. I am especially impressed at how fully developed the characters and their environment are developed. It is like stepping into a ready-made world when reading this book.

The art style is a deceptively simple one, with the focus being on characterization. The reactions on the faces of these characters are startlingly real. From Pearl and Liv?s expressions while prepping for the date to the date itself, each reaction makes the story that much more compelling. The color scheme of the book also sets it apart from other titles, with a more subdued pallet then seen in most books out today.

Readers looking for a fun, fresh new title should give Ultra a try. I picked it up on a lark and am glad I did. As of this issue, I am hooked. I can hardly wait for the next installment, which is the biggest compliment I can give this title. Also, I think this is a great title to give a lady friend to read, since it is told from a positive woman?s point of view.

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