The Red Star Collected Edition

The Red Star

by Christian Gossett, Bradley Kayl, Snakebite (Artist)

Set in the latter days of the imaginary U.R.R.S. (United Republics of the Red Star), this critically acclaimed story follows the heroes of the Red Star as they discover their country's true intentions in a war against a smaller neighbor state; a revelation that leads the soldiers on a quest to liberate their nation from its dark legacy of oppression.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Fantasy, Fiction, Science Fiction, Comix

312 pages, Paperback

First published September 2, 2003

Reviews

[David]

I mean, it was okay. It looks pretty difficult, cost wise, to track down the rest of the series, unfortunately.

[Mike Montesa]

Set in sort of an alternate universe Cold War, the U.R.R.S. has suffered a collapse akin to the real world Soviet Union after being driven from Afghanistan (re-named Nistan). The story is amazing, with beautifully drawn and colored characters, vehicles and backgrounds. It also combines traditional art with computer effects and does it very well. But the story is the real draw. The narrative is painted large, a true epic, and the characters say so much with their eyes it's hard to believe it's a comic. This book is a collection of single issues but forms a complete narrative. Truly an awesome piece of comic art.

[One Flew]

1.5 Stars

The two stars are for the artwork which is gorgeous, the story gets none. The plot to this novel is confused, convoluted, has clunky dialogue, is a mixture of too many genres and failed at every moment to hold my attention. For some reason the Red Star has been on my to read shelf for a long time, now having read this volume I have no intention of going back to read more. The only redeeming feature is the artwork, which still wasn't enough to actually like this.

[Adam Furman]

Decent reimagining of the USSR mythos with a mature and serious tone about war, duty, family, and friendship. Artwork was odd for me at times but I think it was state-of-the-art at the time of publication.

[Mati]

What if the USSR was build on magic, what if the technology was linked with it, what if the spell is called the protocol, what if there is something bigger behind? Meet United Republics of the Red Star - URRS.
Sorceress-Major Maya Antares was facing the reality, where she lost her husband in the battle, which was doomed from beginning, but as story goes she learn that he became something else. The totalitarian regime is declining and one ship, one commander was decided to aid Maya on her quest.
The story is more complex, but I will not spoil it.

The art is simply stunning and this is the must have comics.

[Sev]

Imaginative mix of history, science fiction, and mythology. The art style very smoothly mixes traditional pencilling and coloring with CGI images and watercolored backdrops. It's fun to get pulled into a story with a strong current of DESTINY.

My only complaint is that the quality of the character models really seems to vary, even though only one penciller is credited. It just drops you out of the story when you flip to a frame and the characters eyes are suddenly bigger and closer together...

Either way can't wait to read the next volume and get to know Makita better.

[Ron Turner]

I really liked it. Very unique blend of different genres.

Alternate history: A world where the Soviet Union still exists and remains powerful.

Sci-fi: Skyships that drop armored units and fire devastating nuclear blasts.

Fantasy: Soviet and Muslim sorcerers battling it out. Godlike beings. Spirits.

Anime: The art and storyline has a very anime feel to it.

I'm going to try to find the rest of the series. From what I understand there's a second part that wraps everything up.

[Mary Catelli]

Read in The Red Star: Deluxe Edition Volume 1

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

The Red Star: Deluxe Edition, Volume 2

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[M.i.]

The red star collection is an alternative reality version of the USSR in a time where magic and technology coexists. It does a good job of exploring war time issues, especially on the toll it leaves on those fighting. Cool artwork as well.

[Anthony]

Imagine a world dominated by a technologically advanced Soviet Union that also employs sorcerers as living weapons. This book hit my geek button and held it down. I didn't see where the story was going until the final chapter, but it was a very satisfying conclusion.

[Steven]

This is the best everything ever.

[Trish Lockhart]

Great Graphic Novel. Beautifully written and illustrated.

[Robbie Black]

One of my fave GN. The setting and artwork rock.