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Meteor Men #1-5+
Meteor Men: Expanded Edition
The deluxe Expanded Edition features twenty new pages of story and art interspersed with the original pages of this modern classic!
One summer night, Alden Baylor sits in a field watching the largest meteor shower in human history. What begins as teenage adventure becomes something more—the celestial event brings travelers who will change the world completely, and Alden discovers a connection to one of them. How does a young man who had to grow up fast handle the invasion of his planet? Can Alden keep humanity from oblivion?
From writer Jeff Parker (Aquaman, Hulk) and artist Sandy Jarrell (Batman '66) comes this story of adolescence, friendship, and hard decisions.
One summer night, Alden Baylor sits in a field watching the largest meteor shower in human history. What begins as teenage adventure becomes something more—the celestial event brings travelers who will change the world completely, and Alden discovers a connection to one of them. How does a young man who had to grow up fast handle the invasion of his planet? Can Alden keep humanity from oblivion?
From writer Jeff Parker (Aquaman, Hulk) and artist Sandy Jarrell (Batman '66) comes this story of adolescence, friendship, and hard decisions.
160 pages, Paperback
Published April 26, 2022
1 person is currently reading
22 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Parker
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 9, 2022
An interesting alien invasion story, that asks whether this is actually an invasion at all, and reminds me slightly of E.T., which can't be bad.
The story at first seems perhaps a bit basic, but itkeeps changing the stakes, so as a reader you're kept on your toes. The art is good, maybe the aliens are bit too grey man-ish.
I haven't read the original printed version, so I can't attest how the extra 20 pages add to the book. There are barely any further extras, which I kind of expected there to be, seeing as it's a deluxe edition.
(Thanks to Oni Press for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)
The story at first seems perhaps a bit basic, but itkeeps changing the stakes, so as a reader you're kept on your toes. The art is good, maybe the aliens are bit too grey man-ish.
I haven't read the original printed version, so I can't attest how the extra 20 pages add to the book. There are barely any further extras, which I kind of expected there to be, seeing as it's a deluxe edition.
(Thanks to Oni Press for providing me with an ARC through NetGalley)
July 31, 2022
Alden is a teenager, his parents died in a car crash, and now he’s living with his uncle Phil. One day, they invite a bunch of people to watch a meteor shower. But then something crashes into the woods and starts a small fire. A few strange occurrences happen after that. Like his employer at the gas station goes missing, and Alden’s friend suddenly loses consciousness after pushing him into a swimming pool.
A solid science fiction graphic novel for those who like stories about aliens that come to Earth. Although, for me, there was nothing special about it. I liked the colored illustrations.
A solid science fiction graphic novel for those who like stories about aliens that come to Earth. Although, for me, there was nothing special about it. I liked the colored illustrations.
February 4, 2022
Neither the story nor the drawings impressed me. The idea of a teenager being anti-hero in this narrative was a bit silly. There were so many cliches. I am not good at interpreting artistic works but illustrations seemed messy and outdated. Maybe this particular style was more appropriate for the story but it was quite underwhelming compared to other graphic novels/comics I've read so far.
When I saw the cover on NetGalley I thought this would be a meaningful tale of human experience or something similar. For this reason, I say I was quite disappointed.
In conclusion, I give two stars for the excellent cover and also labor put into this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing an ARC of the book for the reviewers.
When I saw the cover on NetGalley I thought this would be a meaningful tale of human experience or something similar. For this reason, I say I was quite disappointed.
In conclusion, I give two stars for the excellent cover and also labor put into this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for providing an ARC of the book for the reviewers.
November 18, 2021
I got this one as an ARC. It was originally published in 2014, but this is the “deluxe expanded edition,” with twenty additional pages, and it will be out next spring.
It’s not a bad story, though somewhat old-fashioned. In fact, the plot is reminiscent of a B-movie from the ‘50s. I’ haven't heard of Parker before this, but he seems to have half a dozen previous standalone graphic novels out, plus a sizable body of earlier work for various DC series.
The protagonist is Alden Baylor, an orphaned high school junior somewhere in the American Midwest who lives on the family farm, tries to keep the place tidy with the help of his uncle and a few friends, and works part-time at a gas station. In most ways, he’s an ordinary teenager, though more perceptive than most. Because his uncle runs a planetarium (which Parker seems to have confused with an observatory here), Alden has grown up knowing a lot about astronomy, so it’s not surprising that he throws a party on the farm to watch the Perseid meteor shower.
Only this year, there are a large number of meteorite strikes around the world, which turn out to be vehicles for a migrating force of aliens. They’re not “invaders” in the political or military sense, no matter what the government says (all of whose agents are straight from Central Casting), but an invasive species. They’ve been doing this for millions of years, all over the galaxy, and they have no special plan of action They just want to live. The scientists, of course, want to study them, the military wants to kill them, and the world’s governments just want to keep a lid on the whole thing to avoid public hysteria (which, as they find out, will never work in an age of cell phone cameras). That’s as far as I’ll go with that, to avoid spoilers, but if you’re older and read a lot of science fiction, and especially if you remember Forbidden Planet and Invaders from Mars, you can pretty much predict what will happen. There are some original bits, but not many, to be honest. The artwork is straightforward and serves the writing, so no complaints there. As I said: Not bad but not memorable.
It’s not a bad story, though somewhat old-fashioned. In fact, the plot is reminiscent of a B-movie from the ‘50s. I’ haven't heard of Parker before this, but he seems to have half a dozen previous standalone graphic novels out, plus a sizable body of earlier work for various DC series.
The protagonist is Alden Baylor, an orphaned high school junior somewhere in the American Midwest who lives on the family farm, tries to keep the place tidy with the help of his uncle and a few friends, and works part-time at a gas station. In most ways, he’s an ordinary teenager, though more perceptive than most. Because his uncle runs a planetarium (which Parker seems to have confused with an observatory here), Alden has grown up knowing a lot about astronomy, so it’s not surprising that he throws a party on the farm to watch the Perseid meteor shower.
Only this year, there are a large number of meteorite strikes around the world, which turn out to be vehicles for a migrating force of aliens. They’re not “invaders” in the political or military sense, no matter what the government says (all of whose agents are straight from Central Casting), but an invasive species. They’ve been doing this for millions of years, all over the galaxy, and they have no special plan of action They just want to live. The scientists, of course, want to study them, the military wants to kill them, and the world’s governments just want to keep a lid on the whole thing to avoid public hysteria (which, as they find out, will never work in an age of cell phone cameras). That’s as far as I’ll go with that, to avoid spoilers, but if you’re older and read a lot of science fiction, and especially if you remember Forbidden Planet and Invaders from Mars, you can pretty much predict what will happen. There are some original bits, but not many, to be honest. The artwork is straightforward and serves the writing, so no complaints there. As I said: Not bad but not memorable.
November 23, 2021
*
e-ARC provided through NetGalley
*
1.5
I read a lot of graphic novels but never comics, and I just realized the reasons why while reading this.
A.) there is SO. MUCH. TEXT. on every page... I read books that rely on illustrations so I can relax and go through them quickly. if a graphic novel/comics/manga makes me spend more than 20 seconds on a page I simply do not see the point.
B.) the art style is the same 99% of the time. nothing new, nothing special, everything I've seen before.
now, onto the main criticism that I had- this felt... oddly robotic. alien-like, if you may. (god, I am so funny.) by that, I mean that all the characters acted and interacted like robots. they seemed to have no emotions, no feelings, no reactions to ANYTHING, and no backstories or depth.
it is quite literally impossible for me to engage in a story where I either hate or do not care in the slightest about the characters.
for me, the story wasn't that interesting either. so, even if the characters HAD evolved, I still wouldn't have enjoyed it much.
yet, as you can all see, I'm giving it 1.5 stars. can't explain why, but I went off my gut feeling. I guess even books that I don't enjoy can have something charming in them that I like, right?
overall, this wasn't for me. if you're a character-driven reader, I would not recommend this at all. if not, give it a fair shot and see! :)
1.5
I read a lot of graphic novels but never comics, and I just realized the reasons why while reading this.
A.) there is SO. MUCH. TEXT. on every page... I read books that rely on illustrations so I can relax and go through them quickly. if a graphic novel/comics/manga makes me spend more than 20 seconds on a page I simply do not see the point.
B.) the art style is the same 99% of the time. nothing new, nothing special, everything I've seen before.
now, onto the main criticism that I had- this felt... oddly robotic. alien-like, if you may. (god, I am so funny.) by that, I mean that all the characters acted and interacted like robots. they seemed to have no emotions, no feelings, no reactions to ANYTHING, and no backstories or depth.
it is quite literally impossible for me to engage in a story where I either hate or do not care in the slightest about the characters.
for me, the story wasn't that interesting either. so, even if the characters HAD evolved, I still wouldn't have enjoyed it much.
yet, as you can all see, I'm giving it 1.5 stars. can't explain why, but I went off my gut feeling. I guess even books that I don't enjoy can have something charming in them that I like, right?
overall, this wasn't for me. if you're a character-driven reader, I would not recommend this at all. if not, give it a fair shot and see! :)
October 13, 2022
This is really well-written. Solid story.
December 30, 2021
Meteor Men is a beautifully presented, engaging, and sophisticated graphic novel featuring a perfect marriage of story and art. I was greatly reminded of the movie "The Iron Giant" due to this title's distinct style, sense of adventure and wonder, underlying message, and appeal for both children and adults. If but for a somewhat abrupt ending, this would be a perfect title. Twenty new pages were added to this expanded edition, adding a bit more to the story.
Story: When a group of kids go outside to see a yearly meteor shower, they are stunned when one of the meteors lands nearby. Alden, a somewhat lonely and introspective tween, saw the meteor land on his property and tracked it down. What he and the other kids find is a meteorite, split in half, and hollow in the center. Soon, Alden discovers that meteors landed all across the world and both educational and government entities want the meteor fragment on his property. Then Alden sees an alien - and he realizes there was a reason the center of the meteor was empty. Suddenly, everything changes as he begins to communicate with the alien, discovery a fearful truth about their reason to be on Earth, fend off the government, and fight to retain control of the meteorite.
The art was beautifully rendered in full color and clean line drawings. It was so perfectly suited for the story that I could not imagine any other artist doing more justice to the plot. I was hooked from the very beginning of the story and could not put it down; I had to see what adventure the author was going to take me on with main character Alden. Although it may seem Alden is the 'hero' of the story, there are actually several characters who interact with him and, for once, the adults are not always the enemy. The underlying messages means this is a book you'll want to read several times.
The story felt very original and the author made some very interesting moral observations that didn't club the reader over the head. Alden isn't a wide-eyed innocent and has to think his way through the plot. That he is older and has to deal with teen drinking and the death of his parents mark this as a much more mature story than with The Iron Giant movie. The author builds the mystery slowly and assuredly and the book never drags in the middle.
This is an excellent graphic novel featuring sophisticated art and an original story. Although the ending felt a bit abrupt, the story had a defined arc and completed within this volume. This is one of those rare books without pretension and whose story appeals to many ages and genres.
Reviewed from an ARC.
Story: When a group of kids go outside to see a yearly meteor shower, they are stunned when one of the meteors lands nearby. Alden, a somewhat lonely and introspective tween, saw the meteor land on his property and tracked it down. What he and the other kids find is a meteorite, split in half, and hollow in the center. Soon, Alden discovers that meteors landed all across the world and both educational and government entities want the meteor fragment on his property. Then Alden sees an alien - and he realizes there was a reason the center of the meteor was empty. Suddenly, everything changes as he begins to communicate with the alien, discovery a fearful truth about their reason to be on Earth, fend off the government, and fight to retain control of the meteorite.
The art was beautifully rendered in full color and clean line drawings. It was so perfectly suited for the story that I could not imagine any other artist doing more justice to the plot. I was hooked from the very beginning of the story and could not put it down; I had to see what adventure the author was going to take me on with main character Alden. Although it may seem Alden is the 'hero' of the story, there are actually several characters who interact with him and, for once, the adults are not always the enemy. The underlying messages means this is a book you'll want to read several times.
The story felt very original and the author made some very interesting moral observations that didn't club the reader over the head. Alden isn't a wide-eyed innocent and has to think his way through the plot. That he is older and has to deal with teen drinking and the death of his parents mark this as a much more mature story than with The Iron Giant movie. The author builds the mystery slowly and assuredly and the book never drags in the middle.
This is an excellent graphic novel featuring sophisticated art and an original story. Although the ending felt a bit abrupt, the story had a defined arc and completed within this volume. This is one of those rare books without pretension and whose story appeals to many ages and genres.
Reviewed from an ARC.
December 9, 2021
I don't think I'll ever be disappointed with Jeff Parker's name on a comic. Here we have a coming of age story about a teenager not sure where to go in life. One theme is ownership like the protagonist set to inherit a farm or a meteor that came down to Earth. But when aliens show up from these meteors nobody really knows what to do and sets everybody scrambling. What I got from this was how owning something might be what sets a person down in life. But it might not necessarily what anybody really wants and the act of owning something even for sentimental value might be what holds people back.
Then there's the aliens, some are taller than others. They want to understand their hosts but can't communicate with them the normal way. So when they take a new approach, things get a little heated. Nobody is really sure if the army arriving can be trusted either. But it feels like coming to an understanding is what can get some people out of a rut. Yet it's going to take a long time for people to let go of their preconceptions about what holds them down before humanity is ready for the vast potential of the unknown.
Course I might be stretching it out a bit.
Then there's the aliens, some are taller than others. They want to understand their hosts but can't communicate with them the normal way. So when they take a new approach, things get a little heated. Nobody is really sure if the army arriving can be trusted either. But it feels like coming to an understanding is what can get some people out of a rut. Yet it's going to take a long time for people to let go of their preconceptions about what holds them down before humanity is ready for the vast potential of the unknown.
Course I might be stretching it out a bit.
January 5, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really wanted to like "Meteor Men', but this book is held back by cliche and falls into generic tropes that make this one of the most forgettable stories I've read in recent times. The plot is a fairly plain alien story that feels like it would fit in with a 50's or 60's dime novel you'd find at a corner store. While I do love a good nostalgia trip, Unfortunately, 'Meteor Men' does nothing to subvert my expectations and disappointed me with what is ultimately an unsubstantial story that feels like a low budget SyFy channel movie.
The artwork is decent, but distractingly sloppy at times. I do think the more psychedelic and alien world sequences were served well through the art direction. The coloring might seem drab, but I believe this was intentional, as when the more trippy sequences come along, they're made that much more impactful by the choice of color palette.
Overall, 'Meteor Men' was a disappointingly forgettable experience. It might work as a decent time killer if you find yourself with nothing else to read, but I have no reason to return to this story
I really wanted to like "Meteor Men', but this book is held back by cliche and falls into generic tropes that make this one of the most forgettable stories I've read in recent times. The plot is a fairly plain alien story that feels like it would fit in with a 50's or 60's dime novel you'd find at a corner store. While I do love a good nostalgia trip, Unfortunately, 'Meteor Men' does nothing to subvert my expectations and disappointed me with what is ultimately an unsubstantial story that feels like a low budget SyFy channel movie.
The artwork is decent, but distractingly sloppy at times. I do think the more psychedelic and alien world sequences were served well through the art direction. The coloring might seem drab, but I believe this was intentional, as when the more trippy sequences come along, they're made that much more impactful by the choice of color palette.
Overall, 'Meteor Men' was a disappointingly forgettable experience. It might work as a decent time killer if you find yourself with nothing else to read, but I have no reason to return to this story
November 17, 2021
Second time round for me with this title, and while I have no idea now which are the extra pages, the fact remains this is a hugely fun sci-fi book, wrenching a kid away from school crushes and invites to pool parties, and the two men who look after his interests now he's an orphan, and putting him into the world of first contact. The good thing I guess is there is not really a time when anything feels like filler, and where you can tell a page or extended scene seems redundant. But it is a little irksome to see a near-perfect story come out in a way that is probably just longer, and not anywhere nearer the ideal. I was very happy with this, but hey, I was exceptionally happy with the original version of things.
September 5, 2023
I thumbed through a few pages of this and was quickly captivated and had to buy it. The art and colors are good, but it's the alien that got me. A lot of reviews focus on this being Alden's coming of age story and there is that, but it's the connection between him and the alien and Wilton that speaks to me. I want to say so much, but also want to avoid spoilers because I think this is so worth reading. It isn't perfect and I honestly turned through the "coming of age" pages as quick as I could to focus on the Meteor Men and the world's response to them. I watch more sci-fi than I read, so the ideas in this were fascinating and I loved them. It really pulls you from being comforted by the idea of having your memories live on forever within these lifeforms and being horrified at the idea of a parasitic hivemind just consuming all life across time and space. Thinking of media that I know and can relate it to, the Meteor Men remind me of the Sphere from Star Trek Discovery in how they capture so much knowledge and history from the galaxy, but the two things very different aside from that. Yes, I wish that this had focused more on that and maybe, hopefully, the series will continue to focus on the extraterrestrial worldbuilding, but I think this was incredibly well done to show how Alden came to make the decisions that he did and draw people like me to the ideas of this story. And I feel like I got a little spoilery, but I hope I kept it vague enough to intrigue others to read. If you come across this in person at a comics store or library or wherever you might find it, I really think that you'll be like me and hooked on the story as soon as you see the meteor crash and the first Meteor Man.
November 3, 2021
Thank you to Oni Press and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
Meteor Men by Jeff Parker and Sandy Jarrell is an interstellar YA graphic novel that will appeal to fans of Saga and Paper Girls. The story revolves around, Alden Baylor, an ordinary, everyday teenager, who enjoys looking at the stars from his family's farm. His life consists of school, meeting girls, parties, etc. One day, while watching a meteor shower, he stumbles across an alien! This alien may look scary, but he soon befriends it. But will everyone be so welcoming to an extra-terrestrial? Is this the only alien in town? And what will happen when the US government gets involved?
Overall, Meteor Men is a heartwarming science fiction adventure with a message embedded in the story. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys comics, from teenagers to adults. One highlight of this book is the artwork. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy the artwork - American comic book art tends to be hit or miss for me - but I was pleasantly surprised by the well-drawn characters and eye-catching colors. If I had to complain about one thing, I would have to say that I didn't really enjoy the ending. I understand the author's intention and the message they were trying to send, but I would have preferred a different ending. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of graphic novels in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in February!
Meteor Men by Jeff Parker and Sandy Jarrell is an interstellar YA graphic novel that will appeal to fans of Saga and Paper Girls. The story revolves around, Alden Baylor, an ordinary, everyday teenager, who enjoys looking at the stars from his family's farm. His life consists of school, meeting girls, parties, etc. One day, while watching a meteor shower, he stumbles across an alien! This alien may look scary, but he soon befriends it. But will everyone be so welcoming to an extra-terrestrial? Is this the only alien in town? And what will happen when the US government gets involved?
Overall, Meteor Men is a heartwarming science fiction adventure with a message embedded in the story. It will appeal to anyone who enjoys comics, from teenagers to adults. One highlight of this book is the artwork. I wasn't sure that I would enjoy the artwork - American comic book art tends to be hit or miss for me - but I was pleasantly surprised by the well-drawn characters and eye-catching colors. If I had to complain about one thing, I would have to say that I didn't really enjoy the ending. I understand the author's intention and the message they were trying to send, but I would have preferred a different ending. If you're intrigued by the excerpt above, or if you're a fan of graphic novels in general, I highly recommend that you check out this book when it comes out in February!
February 28, 2022
Meteor Men' is a perfect story for the graphic novel format. In this new expanded version, it has an additional 20 pages of art and story. It's mystery and wonder are perfect for this medium. Some slight spoilers follow.
Alden Baker lives on his deceased parent's farm until he's old enough to own it. On the night of the Perseid meteor shower, he and others are out in the pasture to observe it. Along with the shower, meteors crash on Earth, including not far from where he is. A fight ensues over who owns the meteor, but what are they really and why did so many land? The mystery deepens over weeks as mysterious things are seen on the planet, and Alden finds himself in a unique place in the middle of a global crisis.
The art and story work well together, and it's the kind of visual story that works better with sequetial art. It's a good story completely suitable for YA. Alden is a likeable character. There are some strange jumps in the story. Some are possibly because of the story, but some were just a bit strange to me. I liked it well enough and I do recommend it.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
Alden Baker lives on his deceased parent's farm until he's old enough to own it. On the night of the Perseid meteor shower, he and others are out in the pasture to observe it. Along with the shower, meteors crash on Earth, including not far from where he is. A fight ensues over who owns the meteor, but what are they really and why did so many land? The mystery deepens over weeks as mysterious things are seen on the planet, and Alden finds himself in a unique place in the middle of a global crisis.
The art and story work well together, and it's the kind of visual story that works better with sequetial art. It's a good story completely suitable for YA. Alden is a likeable character. There are some strange jumps in the story. Some are possibly because of the story, but some were just a bit strange to me. I liked it well enough and I do recommend it.
I received a review copy of this graphic novel from Oni Press and NetGalley. Thank you for allowing me to review this graphic novel.
November 15, 2021
Thanks to Netgalley and the authors for providing the free copy
This is the story of an alien invasion, but one that doesn't follow the easy tropes of They seemed to come in peace or Destroy all humans. This is a story of considering what might happen if an alien species invaded but that they were neither hostile nor benign, they just wanted to live, and perhaps not end up like the poor Prawns out of District 9.
Young lad finds that there are in fact aliens in the back garden, and seeks to make contact with them, finding out that they have powers far beyond ours, but that there's something about the alien that he makes contact with that draws them both together. There's a touch of Invasion of the Bodysnatchers, and more than a nod to Contact, but the premise draws together well. The problem here is that I can't say much more about it without giving away the reveal. It's well written, presents an intriguing perspective shift, and while the humans reactions to finding out about aliens, their reaction to what and more importantly who the aliens are makes for a compelling story.
I would be very interested to see the next instalment of this.
This is the story of an alien invasion, but one that doesn't follow the easy tropes of They seemed to come in peace or Destroy all humans. This is a story of considering what might happen if an alien species invaded but that they were neither hostile nor benign, they just wanted to live, and perhaps not end up like the poor Prawns out of District 9.
Young lad finds that there are in fact aliens in the back garden, and seeks to make contact with them, finding out that they have powers far beyond ours, but that there's something about the alien that he makes contact with that draws them both together. There's a touch of Invasion of the Bodysnatchers, and more than a nod to Contact, but the premise draws together well. The problem here is that I can't say much more about it without giving away the reveal. It's well written, presents an intriguing perspective shift, and while the humans reactions to finding out about aliens, their reaction to what and more importantly who the aliens are makes for a compelling story.
I would be very interested to see the next instalment of this.
January 27, 2022
Wow this comic was brilliant. I loved every minute of it. The story-line was so much fun to read and I found it fascinating to read. I really couldn't put it down as I was constantly on the edge of my seat. I loved the wonderful and beautiful array of colours used in these fantastic pictures. I never read comics as a child as they s are me as I couldn't work out how to read them in order. My dyslexia also didn't help. As an adult I was determined to conquer this fear and overcome it and im so thankful that comics like this one has made me absolutely love comics. It's a whole different experience reading comics and I can't get enough. Not to mention this book is out of this world. Metaphorically and literally. Its one of the better ones I have read i enjoyed it that much. There was so much action and plenty or unexpected events. That im positive every teen to adult will love this comic just as much as I did.
I'm so excited to read more from this author and publisher. As they have created a stunning masterpiece that just left me wanting to read more and more. Im hoping for a second instalment very soon with all my fingers and toes crossed.
I'm so excited to read more from this author and publisher. As they have created a stunning masterpiece that just left me wanting to read more and more. Im hoping for a second instalment very soon with all my fingers and toes crossed.
November 4, 2021
Teenager Alden owns a farm, and works at a gas station, and that is sort of his existence. His parents were killed by drunk drivers, so he doesn't drink, but that doesn't mean when he goes to parties he doesn't listen to what is said around him.
Being observant, he discovers that the meteor shower brought more than meteors, but aliens as well. Plus Wilton, the gas station owner is missing.
Of course the government wants to blow everything up, but Alden thinks there is more going on.
Interesting concept of an alien invasion. The novel was a quick read, and there was a lot of superfluous things going on but it wrapped up well.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
Being observant, he discovers that the meteor shower brought more than meteors, but aliens as well. Plus Wilton, the gas station owner is missing.
Of course the government wants to blow everything up, but Alden thinks there is more going on.
Interesting concept of an alien invasion. The novel was a quick read, and there was a lot of superfluous things going on but it wrapped up well.
Thanks to Netgalley for making this book available for an honest review.
March 1, 2022
The authors have combined science fiction and a graphic novel into an interest story of an alien visit to our planet. The story is well-written, the graphics are colorful and easily seen, and the lettering is easily read. My only concern is the slightly dystopian ending which leaves the future of humanity in question. I give the book four-stars.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are mine alone.
December 30, 2021
Thanks #NetGalley for this ARC!
Oh my God, loved this comic. I was caught by the plot at first, but within a few pages I wanted to see more and more of the characters. I also think the finale was amazing, some kind of nonsense, in the good way, trip like the old scifi classics use to do. Definitely will be recomending this one.
Oh my God, loved this comic. I was caught by the plot at first, but within a few pages I wanted to see more and more of the characters. I also think the finale was amazing, some kind of nonsense, in the good way, trip like the old scifi classics use to do. Definitely will be recomending this one.
January 26, 2022
This struck me as typical Jeff Parker - solid but not spectacular stuff. Sandy Jarrell is not a name I have come across but he has a nice clean style of work. Overall then,this is a nice book to read once but not one that I could honestly say that I will remember in few months.
September 21, 2022
Feels like an old B movie. Alien invasion, paranoia, government meddling, the works. The ending is somewhat unexpected, but the story feels well-worn until that point.
November 5, 2022
I’d do what Alden did, too.
December 10, 2021
Alden Baylor and his classmates are sitting out in his field one night watching the largest meteor shower in history. When Alden stumbles across an interstellar visitor, his life and that of everyone on Earth is changed overnight. Are the aliens here to invade the planet? Will they change the world as we know it completely? Alden seems to have forged a special relationship with one of the visitors but can this young teen help to save humanity?
I really enjoyed Meteor Men- loved this heartwarming story and the art work is beautiful. I love how the story has been extended and the new art work has been interspersed amongst the older comic illustrations. The colours used in the illustrations are striking, vivid and definitely eye-catching. Meteor Men is the perfect YA graphic novel that will appeal not only to teens but to adults alike. It's a story about relationships, humanity, and difficult choices and the main protagonist is able to hold a lot on his young shoulders. It's a quick and easy read, the perfect choice for anyone interested in space/alien stories. I want to see what happens next in this story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the opportunity to review this graphic novel. The expanded edition of Meteor Men will be released on the 1st of February 2022.
I really enjoyed Meteor Men- loved this heartwarming story and the art work is beautiful. I love how the story has been extended and the new art work has been interspersed amongst the older comic illustrations. The colours used in the illustrations are striking, vivid and definitely eye-catching. Meteor Men is the perfect YA graphic novel that will appeal not only to teens but to adults alike. It's a story about relationships, humanity, and difficult choices and the main protagonist is able to hold a lot on his young shoulders. It's a quick and easy read, the perfect choice for anyone interested in space/alien stories. I want to see what happens next in this story!
Thank you to NetGalley and Oni Press for the opportunity to review this graphic novel. The expanded edition of Meteor Men will be released on the 1st of February 2022.
November 28, 2023
Meteor Men: Expanded Edition is probably one of the biggest surprises I've read this year, in that it probably has one of the biggest third-act twists I've seen in a while...but you have to get through 100 pages of a very standard alien encounter/coming-of-age story to arrive there.
Jeff Parker has a tendency to lean into a more classical genre style of writing, whether it's pulpy adventure in Aquaman and Underground or Spielbergian sci-fi in Meteor Men. When he's focused on the journey itself - the immersion in the setting and the experience of the situation - he absolutely shines. That said, characters have never been his strongest suit, and when two-thirds of the book are anchored by the lives of people I only mildly care about, it can result in a long trek to the finish line. I have to wonder if the 20 additional pages hurt the pacing here, because if the original story was 80 pages of setup going into 50 pages of payoff rather than a 100/50 split, at least it wouldn't take as long to get to the section of this book that really shines.
And boy, do the last 50 pages shine. Everything we thought we knew about the aliens keeps getting recontextualized, and the story provides a take on the genre I have never seen before. I won't give away the surprise, but by the end it's really hard to know who you want to "win" here, and I dig that. There's also a fantastic universe-spanning sequence that's quite a trip (in more ways than one).
Art-wise, I can't say I'm in love with how Sandy Jarrell draws people, but I really enjoyed her alien designs, and the aforementioned universal trip was executed very well. Kevin Volo and Sandy Jarrell's colors work for what the book is going for, and there are a few standout uses of color. I actually quite enjoyed the lettering by Crank!, especially with how they visualized telempathy.
Meteor Men is overall a good book but a hard one to recommend on account of how long it takes to get to the standout parts. Check it out if you're a big sci-fi fan or if you like the idea of E.T. with a twist.
Jeff Parker has a tendency to lean into a more classical genre style of writing, whether it's pulpy adventure in Aquaman and Underground or Spielbergian sci-fi in Meteor Men. When he's focused on the journey itself - the immersion in the setting and the experience of the situation - he absolutely shines. That said, characters have never been his strongest suit, and when two-thirds of the book are anchored by the lives of people I only mildly care about, it can result in a long trek to the finish line. I have to wonder if the 20 additional pages hurt the pacing here, because if the original story was 80 pages of setup going into 50 pages of payoff rather than a 100/50 split, at least it wouldn't take as long to get to the section of this book that really shines.
And boy, do the last 50 pages shine. Everything we thought we knew about the aliens keeps getting recontextualized, and the story provides a take on the genre I have never seen before. I won't give away the surprise, but by the end it's really hard to know who you want to "win" here, and I dig that. There's also a fantastic universe-spanning sequence that's quite a trip (in more ways than one).
Art-wise, I can't say I'm in love with how Sandy Jarrell draws people, but I really enjoyed her alien designs, and the aforementioned universal trip was executed very well. Kevin Volo and Sandy Jarrell's colors work for what the book is going for, and there are a few standout uses of color. I actually quite enjoyed the lettering by Crank!, especially with how they visualized telempathy.
Meteor Men is overall a good book but a hard one to recommend on account of how long it takes to get to the standout parts. Check it out if you're a big sci-fi fan or if you like the idea of E.T. with a twist.
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