Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows #2 Review

Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows #2 
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Max Fiumara
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics

Review by Michael Farris, Jr.

In this second chapter of Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows, Jim Robinson is at the hospital bedside his dying (and much older) son revisiting the regrets of his past. Through a series of flashbacks, we learn that Doctor Star makes contact with alien life, saves them from a menacing threat, but in the process loses 18 years thanks to the cruelties of space-time. The wife of his son insists that neither of them want anything to do with Doctor Star, but he is determined to save his son’s life in order to regain those lost years.

Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows #2 basically reminded me of that song “Cat’s in the Cradle” if the dad in that song was also a space-traveling superhero. This continued tragedy of watching Jim Robinson ignore his family for the sake of his hubris is not an easy thing to experience. I’m continuing to get the sense that, despite his remorse at having missed out on time with his family, Doctor Star isn’t exactly getting the lesson that he should be learning in that his pride shouldn’t be what dictates his actions. By the end of the book, you want to reach into the pages and slap him for not seeing past his own ego.

But that’s what makes this story so compelling. It’s a story that is unfortunately all-too common for a lot of people. The creative background of having a 1940s superhero with interstellar abilities doesn’t change the fact that some dads are just plain jerks. It will be interesting to see if any lessons are learned by the end of this series and what effect this will end up having on his son.

The artwork in Doctor Star and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows #2 is amazing and beautifully done. The alien planets feel exotic and real. The dull and industrial tones of the present time make the story feel that much weightier. Overall, the artwork amplifies the feelings that you’re supposed to be having while experiencing this story.

Verdict: Buy it.

This is one of the better superhero tragedies out there today. The story has a lot of emotional depth that you just don’t get in a lot of comic books. Don’t miss out on this series like Doctor Star missed out on his son’s formative years.