Shatterstar #3: Cooked by the Grandmaster

Gringrave and the Death Sponsors arrive on Horus VI with most of Ben Gaveedra, aka Shatterstar’s tenants, however, it is not long before one escape only to run into the Grandmaster. Like a mouse to the cat, a game with Tina Cooke’s innocence is well played against her. Targeted by a psychopath, unknowing the manipulation, Tina unwittingly becomes an opponent in a game with high stakes and the odds stacked against her. Will she become the hero or another victim to the interdimensional gladiator games?

Meanwhile…

Tim Seeley provides elements of a really good comic book. However, he falls short on each area and this series needs much improvement to keep the reader’s interest. Seeley’s story is a compelling tale of Shatterstar’s past as a once fearsome gladiator with a good rationalization as to why this hero has relationship issues. I would like to see Seeley improve this gladiator genre story as it should stand on the podium alone, unrivaled in terms of spectacle, dramatic weight, and entertainment value with beautiful body art, beautiful scenery, and powerful performances. Maybe a pinch of three movies; Gladiator, Spartacus, and Ben-Hur intertwined in a modern day interdimensional relationship.

This series seems to have potential of a dramatically psychological story. The Grandmaster is in search for an intense dopamine high – and the relief from the intolerable sense of bored emptiness he feels without it. How will he continue the relentless pursuit of stimulation intense enough to stay exhilarated? Though Seeley does dabble in this avenue, I would like to see him draw from different perspectives on a mind-bulging horrific story.

I love the cover art by Yasmine Putri, but too bad the rest of the comic book lacks that quality. Don’t get me wrong, the art by Carlos Villa, Jan Vasco, and Gerardo Sandoval along with colorist Carlos Lopez provides some striking panels, but just don’t provide enough “eye candy”. Shatterstar #3 is less stimulating than the other two issues; however, there are interesting subplots as Seeley provides tidbits on shatterstar’s tenants and other characters. This is worthwhile to continue and see where the story leads for Shatterstar and his quirky tenants.