5 out of 5

What generally hasn’t appealed to me too much about Chris Roberson’s other books is that they feel too kitsh, and sell themselves off of a single twist on that kitsch, while still peddling mostly generic characters and plots.

What’s ironic about Edison Rex, then, is that it’s supposed to be kitsch, but Chris made sure to take his time – in the first trade – to insure the readers that this wasn’t just a one-gag alternate Superman book, but actually a full story, capable of holding a world that would be interesting in its own right.  This earnestness both made the book absolutely worth reading, but also held it back a bit, a sense of cautiousness in its presentation.

But for volume two, the process is proven.  We can feel Roberson growing that much more sympathetic for Rex, our hero turned villain, as he continues to try to prove himself to the current heroes.  With his confidence adjusted as such, Chris can let the kitsch free into Rex’s pages, which – because, again, this is *meant* to be a world based on kitsch – makes the whole experience feel that much more organic, including the character bio “Rex Files,” which add as much to the narrative as the regular pages.  It’s a concept now perfectly suited to its writer, and for every predictable plot point, there’s something subtle that sets Rex slightly – desirably – off its axis.

And there could be no one better suited to this than Dennis Culver, especially when buddied up with colorist Stephen Downer.  Culver somehow chooses the most distilled version of any given moment – very basic, with establishing background details, or just solo character shots – and yet you never feel like you’re getting filler art.  Part of this is Downer’s colors, choosing just the right blend of pop colors to complement our big, bold leads, but it wouldn’t work without Culver’s mastery of gestures and expressions.  So few lines, applied just right.

Edison Rex volume 2 might prove to be the tight rope between the origin story of volume 1 and maybe a culmination of pieces in volume 3.  But: I’d be perfectly content – or, er, happier, actually – if Roberson would take his time getting to the other end of that balancing act, and continue exploring Rex’s world as well as he does in Heir Apparent.