Mark Millar has made quite a name for himself not only in the comic book industry, but now in Hollywood. This year's Kingsman: The Secret Service is based on a mini-series written by Millar, just like another one of his book-turned-film; Kick-Ass. Mark started out writing great tales for DC and Marvel Comics like The Flash, Ultimate X-Men, and Marvel's Civil War. But Millar has his own universe of characters he's been building for the last decade, and if you look closely, you can see Mark is drawing his inspirations from heroes already in the DC and Marvel pantheon.
MPH is about two small time criminals, Roscoe and Chevy, who work on the streets of Detroit. Roscoe is caught by the cops selling drugs and is sent to the Big House for a fifteen year sentence. While in the Joint, Roscoe takes a pill that makes everyone move really slow, allowing him to escape and settle some old scores. But in hindsight, Roscoe was actually moving at super speed and plans to use this miracle drug for his benefit. He shares his super pills with Chevy, his girlfriend Rosa, and her brother; nicknamed Baseball. The four rob from the rich who they feel caused the destruction of their city, and while making millions, also give millions back to the people of Detroit. But the charity part of their plan doesn't sit well with Chevy and Baseball. Neither does the fact that they've only got a week's supply of the MPH pills. Soon the team begins to divide, and the FBI is hot on their trail, led by a mysterious man known as Mr. Springfield who knows their every move.
So basically, this story is Chronicle meets The Flash, and it's pretty entertaining. As a guy who has read comics his who life I know that Mr. Millar has created his own universe off the backs of classic comic book characters. Kick-Ass is about ordinary people who experience tragedy and then decide to fighting crime; which is Batman. Superior is about a young boy who turns into a Superman-like being; which is Shazam. And then of course there's MPH; which is Flash, or Kid Flash, depending on how you see it. However, the modern twist is what makes these books great reads. Millar makes the center piece of his stories nerds or thugs, and then makes a much more believable scenarios as to what these people would actually do if they were given these powers.
MPH has a good twist at the end that you should see coming a thousand miles away, and also left me really satisfied. If you're into superheroes I recommend anything by Mark Millar because I haven't disliked any Millerverse book yet. They're a nice break from the DC and Marvel corporations, and always entertaining. I'm excited to read Chrononauts because I've heard nothing but good things about it. And I'm drooling to pick up the sequel to Jupiter's Legacy.
So while I admit Millar just seems to be recycling old characters and themes that are fifty to sixty years old I'm of the mind set that I don't care. Just give me something good to read.
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