Prodigy #1: Meet Edison Crane

I can’t say this first installment blew me away, but it is a solid start in a series that will be getting the TV treatment and which may make for more intriguing television than a comic book, although I may be putting the cart ahead of the horse as it’s the only issue one. Millar does a good job of establishing the character of Edison Crane with a series of flashbacks. These include several of Edison’s childhood which serve to show the character as both the ever curious prodigy he is as well as speak to a certain fearlessness and arrogance which comes from possessing such a towering intellect and the belief that one knows the answer to any problem. How many other teenagers would decide to attempt heart surgery on their parent’s guest’s child?

The storyline sees the ever inquisitive Crane who is constantly looking for stimulation by solving impossible problems and pulling off even more impossible stunts pulled into investigating a possible inter-dimensional invasion with a CIA agent showing up to deepen the mystery the first issue sets up.

As smart as he is Crane’s life isn’t flawless with several of the aforementioned flashback moments detailing some of the problems in his life including the estrangement from his father and that works well to humanize the character. I am keen to see if Millar will further explore the psychological underpinnings of being such a superior intellect amongst a sea of normality in the series.

The art team on this series is exceptional as Millar once again has a stellar team to help deliver his vision. Rafael Albuquerque’s line art is top notch and his use of the black shadow in drawings is a thing of beauty. Colorist Marcelo Maiolo’s color palette is deceptively simple and truly excellent in its match to Alburquerques lines. Letterer Peter Doherty, who worked on The Magic Order as well, places the dialogue perfectly and the comic moves seamlessly from start to finish.