I’m fairly new to the the world of comics so I’m constantly making discoveries.
One such discovery was that the man who created The Umbrella Academy is also the lead singer of My Chemical Romance. Gerard Way is one of those comic book writers that doesn’t make many appearances, but when he does, he shines.
Along with The Umbrella Academy, Way is responsible for The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys; a run on DC’s Doom Patrol; and creating Peni Parker during Marvel’s Spider-verse event.
On the surface, that seems like a small resume, but for Way, it seems to be quality over quantity.
I’ve been reading The Umbrella Academy and I am just in awe at Way’s ability to tell stories. Not just that, he does so with a specific tone that permeates throughout all of his work.
The biggest aspect of The Umbrella Academy comics is the clear connection to My Chemical Romance. The tone and aesthetic just matches the vibe MCR gives off and a lot of that starts with Way.
His ability to tell a fantastic story extends to his music. The Black Parade album is a masterclass in musical storytelling that conveys some deep and heavy themes.
The Umbrella Academy is no different. The portrayal of a dysfunctional family of adopted superheroes that have become jaded over the years is vivid and compelling. It’s the type of deeper meaning that Way has exhibited so well in his storytelling career.
This attitude extends to Peni Parker, who inherits the SP//dr mech suit at a young age only to grow up too quickly and become a solemn 14-year-old with a strong sense of duty.
This ability to weave strong narratives seems to come from Way’s personal experiences.
Way said he was held at gunpoint at 15 where he was “put on the floor, execution-style.” Later in the interview, he says that he always has faith in the world despite how ugly it can get.
By 16, he was opposing censorship of Jeffrey Dahmer’s crimes in comic books as part of the The Sally Jesse Raphael Show, explaining his displeasure with any kind of censorship.
The reason all of Way’s characters seem to grow up quickly is because he had to do it. What makes him so good, in my opinion, is how he seems to channel his real-life experience into his stories.
And I’m not the only one. Both Grant Morrison and Neil Gaiman had glowing reviews of Way’s ability to tell a story. They both penned introductions to the first two volumes of The Umbrella Academy with their praise.
Look, comic books and graphic novels aren’t everyone’s cup of tea and that’s ok. There are many, however, who don’t see the value in them as literary works solely because of the visual art element.
Comic books are a viable form of art that occupies a different lane than other media. Having someone like Gaiman spend time writing comics proves this.
Gerard Way is on par with the best storytellers in comics, maybe even in all of entertainment. His unique form of storytelling and distinct tone is what helps him stand out.
He might not make appearances in comics as often as others, but we’re just lucky to have him when he does decide to appear.
Have you read any comics written by Gerard Way? What do you think of his storytelling abilities? Is there a comic writer you think deserves more credit? Let us know in the comments below or head over to our Discord channel to join the conversation.
Featured Image: Dark Horse Comics (via The Good in Comics)
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