My rating is 3 out of 5 stars.

I have to start this review by admitting two, very important things.

One, I love Walter Simonson’s work. Nothing objective about it, I just love the man’s comics.

Two, I have never been able to warm up to space opera comics (other than Star Wars.). Not sure why, but it is just the truth.

So what does that mean, you ask?

Well, obviously, something is about to hit the fan with this review.

Walter Simonson probably described Star Slammers best when he said: “Once upon a time, there was a race of men who could out-shoot, out-fight, and out-kill anybody. They were paid fabulous sums to act as mercenaries. The practice became so lucrative, they decided to go into business. They became the most successful businessmen in history, and they called themselves… The Star Slammers!”

Sounds like this comic collection is about space mercenaries, right? Laser guns, spaceships, star battles, and all that really cool stuff included at no extra charge.

Yeah, it seems so. But wait! The story isn’t really about them going around blowing people and things up. Sure, they do that, but those The Expendables-type action sequences are not what Star Slammers is all about. Nope, it spends lots of its page time on hidden secrets, mystical powers, and racial genocide that turns a straightforward shoot-‘em-up into a more complex story.

What is absolutely great about this collection is the artwork. It is classic Simonson in all his glory. And if you have dug his style in any of his previous comic projects, then you will absolutely not want to miss Star Slammers.

What is not so great is the story that this collection places before a reader. It is a bit convoluted, has murky action scenes, puzzling flashbacks, and a narrative that doesn’t really draw you in and keep you sitting on the edge of your seat. Not that it is bad, but it just isn’t great.

Honestly, if Star Slammers hadn’t been by Walter Simonson, I probably would have given it a two star rating, but with him at the helm, I felt compelled to rate it a three, because any occasion to see a comic drawn by my favorite comic creator is well worth the time. And if you enjoy Simonson’s art, you should give this one a look see – just don’t expect too much from the story itself.

IDW Publishing and Netgalley provided this book to me for free in return for an honest review. The review above was not paid for or influenced in any way by any person, entity or organization, but is my own personal opinions.

Buy Star Slammers: The Complete Collection at Amazon.