Anyone read the first issue? Once again his mind and mine are on similar stuff I think it's very promising.

Yep. I thought it was a great idea, and so far well executed.

What really impressed me was how nuanced and devoid of his usual shock pandering. So far very well done.

Time and time again, Millar shows an ability to portray a character's feelings with very little text. An example from this issue is the table all set as he tells his son, "No trouble."

There are little touches like this in many of the Millarworld books, where we get an idea of what a character is thinking or feeling with a very efficient use of the medium.

I tend to read all the Millarworld books. They're a 75% proposition for me, and several of them are extremely good.

I can't really figure out a world where Morrison is supposed to be a genius, and Millar isn't. Starlight is a perfect example of good storytelling to me. It's effortless, and I feel like I know this character already.

Well, in the world we live in, Mark Millar is constantly bringing out comic book properties that are often optioned to be made films and he's constantly advising movie studios on how to adapt comic book characters. Meanwhile, Grant Morrison is driving the DC bus or whatever.

So, yeah, I can't really figure out this world, either.

I think Millar's work translates very directly into film -- gripping plots with interesting characters, where the scenes move the action naturally, effortlessly.

If they tried to make Morrison's work into movies they'd have to hand out index cards in the lobby.

They'd all start with a dramatic voiceover reading the movie's Wikipedia entry.

I enjoyed Starlight A LOT. Really appreciated the small touches that Lil Jay refers to plus I like how restrained and understated Millar is with this issue. There is no Millar trying to clever or Millar going way over the top, its just nice, nice stuff. Perfect pitch. A great first issue. And Parlov's art doesn't hurt one bit (again, it's just bang on).

I feel the same way. When he is subtle and restrained, he does great work.

When he is "over the top," I at least feel like he's doing it on purpose, trying to give a good soap opera. Almost like professional wrestlers venting. But often times it's not for me -- couldn't ultimately go for Kick-Ass and its progeny. And Nemesis was like reading manga tentacle porn or something -- oddly compelling, but still too much.

But Secret Service? Excellent. And I liked Super Crooks. Also Superior. And Jupiter's Legacy is really, really hitting its stride.

1985 also felt like a Millarworld title, although it had Marvel characters in it.

I now want to read this. Trade wait.

I now want to read this. Trade wait.

Yeah, I don't think his use of 'over the top' is a misstep or miscalculation... he's definitely going for that effect. But its just not for me (i.e. Kick-Ass and Nemesis -- your comparison of which is pretty much right on the money... compelling but left me feeling dirty).

I haven't read Secret Service yet or Super Crooks (haven't even heard of that one), but I'll check em out. Superior I think I tried and passed.. Leinil Yu on art right? Not a big fan (good artist, just not a style I like).

Jupiter's Legacy has some of that over-the-top stuff but I feel it works well within the story.

Count me among those that are enjoying both Starlight and Jupiters Children.

I think Nemesis was the onky book he's done that I've read where I thought it was a total snoozer.

And I agree with Allen that not going for shock value is a nice change of pace for Millar.

Secret Service would be the one I'd recommend you not miss. The other two were enjoyable, interesting books. Yu's art does have a style all its own (kind of ugly, but it works for him).

What's the hook for Secret Service? It doesn't look intriguing when you flip through it off the rack.

It's a James Bond type character, and he's been helping his nephew from time to time. Nephew is a punk, who lives with his welfare queen mother and has never amounted to anything. Uncle Bond pulls some strings and gets him a slot in the newbie training program. Turns out the kid is a natural. But still needs a major attitude adjustment.

Obviously, there's a Bond-villain type world scheme going on during all this.

Is it over and in a TPB?

Yes, it's been over for some time. Trade is not quite out -- they're calling it "Secret Service: Kingsman." Amazon says April 1.

You mean he CAN be subtle and restrained? Wow.