By Faith Orcino

Staff Writer

Released in 2008, “The Umbrella Academy” is musician Gerard Way’s first comic book series.  While many know Way as the lead singer of My Chemical Romance, he went to the New York School of Visual Arts where he developed his artistic and writing ability before his music.

The series deals with the lives of an unusual family, starting with the end of the world.  Sir Reginald Hargreeves, a world-renowned businessman, adopted seven children who were born into the world under the strangest circumstances.  Under his direction, the group would become superheroes known as the Umbrella Academy.  With little cohesion, they disbanded and went their own ways.  It would be once again Sir Hargreeves that brings the Academy back, but for his funeral.  As the family reunites to say goodbye to their father, a dark plan begins to end both them and the world.

Gerard Way’s writing is paired with critically acclaimed artist Gabriel Ba.  Ba’s works brings nostalgia of Hellboy’s artist, Mike Mignola and is very fitting to the dark and action-packed tales of the Umbrella Academy.  Way’s form of composing the narratives is very unique which needed the aid of Blambot’s Nate Piekos in lettering to create the complete piece.

In 2008, San Diego International Comic-Con awarded “The Umbrella Academy: Apocalypse Suite” the Eisner award for best finite/limited series.  While Dark Horse only has one other volume (called “The Umbrella Academy: Dallas”) Way mentioned during a New York Comic Con 2012 panel that a new installment is in the works.

While also working on “Umbrella Academy,” Gerard and a new creative team under Dark Horse will release in June his new comic series “The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys,” based off of their recent album “Danger Days.”

For more information on both “Umbrella Academy” and “True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys”, either visit darkhorse.com or your local comic vendor.