Review: ‘Star Power And The Choir Of Dr. Hymn’ Mixes Horror, Mystery & Sci-Fi

Danica Maris has always loved the stars and now she has the chance to really get up close and personal with them since she has been granted The Star Power. This incredibly strong light allows her to breathe in space, fly super far distances by bouncing between stars, and shoot giant energy blasts from her body. Of course, this has made her a target in the galaxy and she’s done what she can to bring peace across the Federation. This has put her right in the sights of the mysterious Doctor Hymn, a renowned composer that is very much up to something.

If I had to use one word to describe Star Power, it would be “adventure.” This book is chock full of awesome sci-fi adventures all presented with the wide-eyed enthusiasm that first hits us when we learn about the genre. Think about the first time you saw Star Wars. That feeling permeates through every page of Star Power.
Much of this comes through in Danica’s personality. She serves as a proxy for us, embracing her newfound abilities and everything that comes with it, even if that means fighting despots and villanous composers. At this point in the series, Danica is established as a hero of the galaxy and is figuring out how to juggle her personal life with her responsibilities to the Federation. This shows us how she’s still human throughout all this and her powers have not changed who she is as a person.

Much of this personality comes through in Garth Graham’s stellar artwork. All of the characters are very expressive, giving you an idea of who they are and what they’re like and that is especially true for Danica. There is an innocence to her as well. We want to see it protected at all costs. She is the most approachable person on the space station and you can’t help but want to be her friend.
This makes the events of this volume, The Choir of Dr. Hymn, all the more terrifying. Danica has never come across an enemy like this, not only willing to do anything to put her down, but to cut very deep to do so. It challenges her in a way she has not yet seen before.
There is a slow build towards this throughout the book. Writer Michael Terracciano quickly establishes Dr. Hymn as a villain, but his true plan takes some time to unfold. You’re constantly wondering how and when he’ll make his move. As the story goes on, this is slowly revealed and it gets more unsettling with each turn of the page. I found I couldn’t put the book down because I had to find out where it was going. I plowed through this in one night.

Danica’s human quality extends to her appearance as Star Power. She shines with a pure bright light, cleansing all she comes into contact with. Graham hands off the coloring treatment to Rebecca McConnell partway through this story and that tone is kept consistent. There’s a nice contrast created by the end of the book between Danica and her ultimate enemy that further shows her personality. I’m being purposefully vague in an effort to avoid spoilers. Suffice it to say, there’s a pretty awesome showdown and color plays a major part in it.
Star Power has grown and evolved over the course of its five volumes and more are on the way. The creators have shown that this is more than a sci-fi adventure comic (although that’s still core to the story and very much a guiding light). It has great character drama, a good amount of comedy, and in this volume, a big dose of horror and mystery. This is a world that can and will continue to expand as Danica’s adventures take her to all new places and I’m so glad to be along for the ride.
You can read Star Power online for free on the official website.