The Umbrella Academy

The Umbrella Academy is a popular comic book series written by musician and writer Gerard Way, and illustrated by Gabriel Bá. The series, which debuted in 2007, follows a dysfunctional family of superheroes who must band together to save the world. The series has recently been adapted into a hit Netflix original series, bringing the story and characters to a wider audience.

The Premise

The Umbrella Academy tells the story of seven children who were all born on the same day to different mothers, all of whom had not been pregnant the day before. These children, who were adopted by Sir Reginald Hargreeves, a wealthy and mysterious entrepreneur, are all gifted with unique superpowers. These powers, ranging from telekinesis to time travel, were used by the children to fight crime and save the world as the Umbrella Academy.

The Characters

The main characters of the Umbrella Academy are:

1. Luther Hargreeves/Spaceboy: The leader of the Umbrella Academy, Luther has superhuman strength and was injected with a serum by his adoptive father that transformed his upper body into that of an ape.

2. Diego Hargreeves/The Kraken: Diego can hold his breath indefinitely and has exceptional knife-throwing skills. He has a rebellious streak and often clashes with his adoptive siblings.

3. Allison Hargreeves/The Rumor: Allison has the power to make anything she says become true, as long as she begins her sentence with I heard a rumor. She is a successful actress but struggles with the consequences of her powers.

4. Klaus Hargreeves/The Séance: Klaus has the ability to communicate with the dead and can possess their bodies. He is also a drug addict and uses his powers to escape reality.

5. Number Five/The Boy: Number Five has the ability to jump through space and time, but he becomes stuck in his teenage body after a failed attempt to time travel. He is sarcastic, intelligent, and often the voice of reason within the group.

6. Ben Hargreeves/The Horror: Ben has the ability to summon and control eldritch creatures from another dimension. He is deceased at the beginning of the series but continues to communicate with his brother Klaus.

7. Vanya Hargreeves/The White Violin: The only member of the Umbrella Academy without any apparent powers, Vanya is a skilled violinist. However, she discovers a latent power that poses a threat to the world.

The Plot

The first volume of the Umbrella Academy, titled Apocalypse Suite, follows the reunited siblings as they must come together to solve the mystery of their father’s death and prevent an apocalypse caused by Vanya’s powers. The second volume, titled Dallas, sees the siblings time-traveling to the 1960s to stop a group of rogue time travelers from altering history.

The Adaptation

In 2019, Netflix released a ten-episode series based on the Umbrella Academy comics. The show follows a similar plot to the first volume, with the addition of more backstories and character development for the Hargreeves siblings. The show has received critical acclaim for its unique storytelling and well-developed characters.

Conclusion

The Umbrella Academy is a captivating story that explores themes of family, identity, and fate against the backdrop of a superhero world. With its diverse and compelling characters, intricate plot, and stunning visuals, it’s no wonder the series has gained a dedicated fan base. Whether you’re a fan of the comics or the Netflix adaptation, the Umbrella Academy is a must-read/watch for any superhero enthusiast.