The Crossovers

(CrossGen, 2003)
™ and ©2003 CrossGenerational Comics

Robert Rodi has taken four different genres and put them under one roof. The story of a nuclear suburban family whose members each have a separate (and secret) life provides comedy but seems disjointed at times. That may be just growing pains. It’s hard enough starting a team title with all-unknown characters, but to introduce four main characters who are rarely in the same room together is tough. Rodi manages to pull it off.

The Crossover family consists of Carter, the father and super-hero archetype; Calista, mother by day, vampire slayer by night; Cris, princess in a feudal dimension she accesses through the basement; and Cliff, a 10-year-old Fox Mulder. The only normal member of the family appears to be the family dog, Cubby, but it is easy to get the feeling that there is something hidden behind those blank eyes and floppy ears that the reader doesn’t yet know about.

The family dynamic of The Crossovers is good. How long can it last? The preview for #3 suggests that the family might learn each other’s secrets, which could also lead the series itself in a new direction. The main problem is that there are eight characters, considering that each family member lives a dual life. That leaves eight pages for each character: not much.

The writing by Rodi is crisp and flows well, and the pencils by Mauricet fit the cartoon style of the story well. The Crossovers is the culmination of a great idea gone good. So far, it is a complicated plot that could have gone horribly wrong, but hasn’t. It’s to be hoped that the creative team can continue to keep readers intrigued.

— Nathan Melby

Jump to issue: