This review contains spoilers.
In this issue, Starfire acclimates to her new life in Key West while a doctor with strange abilities faces the consequences of his power.
The comic begins with Starfire on a date. When she touches the man’s hand, she is able to see into his head. She sees that he is a doctor who has the ability to cure cancer. But, every time he cures someone, a tumor in his brain gets bigger. The next day, Starfire gets a job at an aquarium after making out with a dolphin in order to learn how to speak with dolphins. The issue ends with Starfire running into the doctor who has seemingly killed someone.
Positives
The storyline with the doctor is genuinely interesting. The idea that someone can cure cancer so easily is a dream that everyone has. However, how many people would be willing to pay this price? Would someone risk their own life to this degree in order to save others? It deals with heroism in a way that I haven’t seen before and I really like it.
Starfire is adorable. Her mannerisms and reactions to everyday expressions are funny. The book just has an energy that most other books don’t have; it’s a lot of fun.
Negatives
Considering the doctor may have killed two people, I think that he is supposed to be the villain of the story which is disappointing. He kills an associate of his in the flashback for no reason; he just goes nuts. This character should be played more as a tragic hero than a villain. I don’t know why the book wants to demonize the guy. Why is he killing people?
The creative team has an obsession with Starfire’s sexuality. I am a heterosexual male and Starfire is beautifully drawn but the near-nudity is over done. Every other couple of pages, she is naked in a pool or just showing a lot of skin. I have no problem with a woman expressing sexuality but it just seems gratuitous here. How many pool scenes are really necessary?
Verdict
Despite some minor complaints, I highly recommend this issue. It does a surprisingly great job of balancing Starfire’s silliness with the doctor’s tragic story while being very fun to read with great art and engaging dialogue.
