- Created by Seth MacFarlane
- Writer: David A. Goodman
- Artist: David Cabeza
- Colorist: Michael Atiyeh
- Letterer: Richard Starkings and Comicraft’s Jimmy Betancourt
- Designer: Kathleen Barnett
- Digital Art Technician: Ann Gray
- Editor: Dave Marshall
- Assistant Editor: Konner Knudsen
Thanks to Dark Horse for the review copy!
THE ORVILLE is one of those shows that I want to hate but can’t help liking immensely. It should annoy me because it’s a blatant Star Trek ripoff, with takes on everything from the Federation to the uniforms. And yet, if it was simply branded as a Star Trek show, I’d say it was one of the best iterations of the franchise. It has likeable characters and it isn’t doesn’t take itself too seriously. So, I’ve given in and decided to embrace THE ORVILLE.
While the show often shifts between being a Trek parody and being a serious take on the genre, this comic takes a look at one of the more serious plotlines in the show. Unlike prior Orville comics, which served as standalone stories, this one is largely dependent on knowledge of the show. The comic does a good job filling in the set up – In the show, Kelly was brought to the future and sent back with a memory wipe. When the wipe didn’t take, she broke things off with Ed to avoid hurting him and caused a whole different timeline. It is fun to see how this timeline differs from the Orville we know and love (and how it converges). While you can figure out what is going on without having seen the show, the issue is much more enjoyable if you’ve watched the show.
In addition to the plot, knowing the characters brings an appreciation for the art. The characters really look like their TV counterparts. Faithfully recreating an alien like Bortus is one thing, but it is a real feat to make the human characters bear such an uncanny resemblance to their sources. The faithful recreations of the characters, uniforms, and ship combine with the writing to make this feel like an authentic episode of the show. Perhaps the greatest feat is how Ed is treated – he usually is my least favorite part of the show (Sorry Seth MacFarlane), but he is downright likeable in this book.
If you enjoyed the TV version of THE ORVILLE, you will love this comic. Like the show, this is a family friendly story – there is no cursing or violence. This is the first part of a two part story, so be prepared to get the second issue.
THE ORVILLE #1: DIGRESSIONS (PART 1 OF 2) is now available.
Check back soon for my thoughts on the 2nd part of this 2 part mini-series.
Do you plan to read the series? Have you already? Let me know in the comments.
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