† NillaMora †

BY DAN KOLLER

Before reading the first issue of The Umbrella Academy, a comic book written by My Chemical Romance lead singer Gerard Way (below), I had planned to compare it to his music.

It turns out that no such comparison is necessary. The Umbrella Academy stands on its own as a delightful comic that should appeal to people with no interest in Way's tunes.

Way, 29, has described himself as a longtime fanboy, and I have no doubt that's the case. Thanks to his script and Gabriel Ba's art, the first issue evokes memories of the X-Men, the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Hellboy.

The Umbrella Academy is a group of seven immaculately conceived children who were raised by a scientist and entrepreneur known as the Monocle. When the press asks why he adopted them, he replies, "To save the world, of course."

The first issue shows the children using their powers to defeat a crazed Eiffel Tower. (Yes, a crazed Eiffel Tower.) But it also shows them reuniting as adults upon hearing of the Monocle's death. There's also a bit of space travel, a hint of betrayal and a talking chimpanzee.

What does it all mean? We'll have to buy the subsequent issues to find out. And I assure you, I will.

Dan has joined the Black Parade. E-mail him at dkoller@quickdfw.com.

Written by Gerard Way. Drawn by Gabriel Ba. Published by Dark Horse Comics. The first of six issues goes on sale today. $2.99.