Damn. It didn't happen.
In my review of the first issue of this anticipated series, I noted that the need to establish the characters and the premise got in the way of the inherent humor potential. I expected Rodi to capitalize on that potential in the forthcoming issues, but now, I'm not so sure. He doesn't play the story entirely straight, but he doesn't seem to have much fun with the charming absurdity of the concept.
Carter and Calista Crossover are both terribly concerned that their arch-enemies -- who have become aware of their private lives -- are going to target their loved ones. Of course, neither one is aware of the other's secret life, just as they are unaware of the secrets their children are harboring. Of course, one family member and his secrets end up inadvertently helping the others. Meanwhile, as Cris goes missing for a little while, and Carter seeks out the assistance of an old ally.
Mauricet's cartoony style suits the rather silly premise quite nicely, and a number of his designs -- notably those associated with the aliens with whom Cliff associates -- are sharp. He conveys the youth of the Crossover children nicely, but their parents really don't come off as old enough to have teenage kids. The gaudy colors are in keeping with the over-the-top notion of a family full of adventurers as well. Where the artwork falls flat, though, are those scenes that play up a more dramatic tone. Mauricet's style just isn't suited to such moments.
I wasn't really wild about Cris's character -- the warrior-princess archetype -- in the first issue, and I don't much care for her everyday, real-world face here either. I guess Rodi's playing around with her grief and an innate teenage yearning to rebel, but the character ends up coming off as entirely unlikable. Ma and Pa Crossover don't seem to grow beyond their heroic roles either. Cliff, fortunately, is a thoroughly entertaining character. He's really something of a villain, but Rodi has really made the most of him. Perhaps it's because Cliff really doesn't fall intoa a neat, genre-fiction category like the rest of his family does.
Is this a humor book? To a limited extent, yes. But the premise calls out for more of an emphasis on the laughs. The moments in which the book is at its strongest are those that have fun with the characters' unusual backgrounds, and the book is at its least interesting when Rodi plays things straight. I had high hopes for this series, but I fear Rodi's lost me already.
