One of the most debated yet highly respected comic book authors of contemporary times, Mark Millar, has built an impressive body of work. Kicking off his career at Marvel and DC Comics, Millar eventually established his own imprint called MILLARWORLD. This began in 2004 with Top Cow Comics’ series “Wanted,” marking the initial move in a crossover spanning over 19 years that culminated in Image Comics’ “Big Game.” Notably, each of his books at that time featured at least one character who either made a brief appearance or played a significant role in the storyline, which is an exceptional accomplishment for any writer.
Previously, Millar revealed his MILLARWORLD imprint would shift locations and is preparing for increased crossovers down the line. With the initial shock subsided and a wealth of characters at our disposal, it’s now fitting to list the top ten favorites from MILLARWORLD. Given the extensive roster of characters in MILLARWORLD, this task becomes all the more interesting.
10) Edison Crane
Leading our list is Edison Crane, a genius and the central figure in the novels Prodigy, Prodigy: The Icarus Society, and, Prodigy: Slaves of Mars. Edison Crane embodies an intelligent individual with a knack for the dramatic. As he develops and grows throughout the storylines, we witness a character who is not only clever but also eager to learn. This eagerness keeps readers engaged as they follow his adventures, where he uses his wit to solve intriguing mysteries while maintaining a down-to-earth demeanor that prevents him from appearing arrogant or aloof.
Millar shares that Edison Crane is among his preferred characters to develop. With four successful standalone books and a significant part in “Big Game,” it’s tough not to see him as a lasting figure. Moreover, Crane’s recent foray into space in his latest series, where he introduces his elder brother, only strengthens this assumption. Whether we find him in the next installment of “Prodigy” or supporting another title, Edison Crane is always a delight to encounter in Millar’s stories.
9) Catalina
16 years after the initial storyline in “American Jesus: The Chosen One” (2004), which introduced Jodie, a young woman believed to be the second coming of Jesus Christ but later revealed as the antichrist, we encounter Catalina in “The New Messiah.” Born and raised in a compound in Waco, Texas during the 1980s, Catalina is indeed the true reincarnation of Jesus Christ.
As a film enthusiast, I’d rephrase that as: Set in the same era as “The Chosen One,” I delve into Catalina’s journey. Raised in a stronghold, she yearns to escape from her destiny as the second coming and live a normal life. In just three short issues and a follow-up series, Mark Millar brilliantly crafts Catalina, one of his most compelling characters, concluding not only Jodie’s story but also her own tale.
8) Chloe Sampson
If you envision the daughter of the world’s most renowned superhero as a drug addict, that’s not the picture we get of Chloe Sampson in “Jupiter’s Legacy Vol. 1” by Millar. Instead, she is introduced to us as a woman struggling with addiction but seeking recovery, one of humanity’s protectors. Accompanied by Hutch, son of another superhero, they find themselves on the run from Chloe’s brother and uncle following their successful takeover of the government.
Over a span of twelve issues spanning two volumes, Chloe’s character evolves from someone with no admirable traits to an individual whose desire to save the world captivates us. Following the first volume, she embarks on a romantic relationship with Hutch which results in the birth of a superpowered child. Constantly on the move and offering help whenever possible, Chloe boasts one of the most compelling character transformations within the realm of MILLARWORLD.
7) Eddie “Hutch” Hutchence
In the last entry, it was mentioned that Eddie “Hutch” Hutchence is the son of the brilliant inventor and superhero Skyfox. Unlike his father, Hutch doesn’t possess any superpowers of his own, but he does wield a device known as the Power Rod. This gadget grants him the extraordinary ability to teleport, as long as he has D-cell batteries. Initially using his teleportation skills for personal gain, Hutch later teams up with Chloe and employs his technological prowess for a noble cause.
Unlike his noble father, Hutch initially seems an unlikely hero, paired with Chloe. However, as they flee from her family and seek out Hutch’s father for aid, he discovers the qualities needed to become a hero and strive for a better life for their child – something his own father couldn’t manage for him.
6) Duke McQueen
Following many years of crafting edgy comic stories, Millar switched his signature style with two optimistic books, one being “Starlight“. Duke McQueen, formerly considered a small-town eccentric who boasted about saving a planet from its oppressive regime, is now sought after by an alien from the planet again, after four decades. On their world, McQueen is revered as a legend.
This version maintains the original meaning while making it more accessible and easy to read.
Duke teams up with the child and embarks on another exciting journey, interspersed with recollections of his initial adventure. The heartfelt narrative of Starlight, penned by Millar, revolves around legacy and pays homage to the classic sci-fi tales of the 50s and 60s, with Duke being one of Millar’s most endearing characters.
5) Huck
Another engaging tale unfolding in MILLARWORLD goes by the title Huck: A World of Trouble. This Superman-like superhero, named Huck, is currently being developed and possesses extraordinary abilities such as superhuman speed, strength, the capacity to fly, and a psychic talent for locating missing items or people. With just a photograph or full name, if Huck is present, he can easily find what you’re looking for!
In the vast realm of Millarworld, Huck is arguably one of the most compassionate characters. His daily aspiration to aid just one individual makes him a symbol of optimism. As gentle as he is, you can’t help but wish for more individuals like Huck in Millarworld.
4) Wesley Gibson
In the starkly immoral realm stands the main character of “Wanted“, and across the spectrum of goodness lies Wesley Gibson, who is notoriously known as the principal antagonist in all of MILLARWORLD. Originally the son of the world’s most formidable supervillain, The Killer, Wesley’s life took a dramatic turn following his father’s supposed demise. This transformation saw him transition from an ordinary individual to one of the top-tier villains operating covertly within the global scene.
With the intention of assuming the same position as his father, Wesley is now being prepared for it while engaging in confrontations with his father’s former allies. Together with another associate named The Fox, he tracks down and eliminates these associates.
For many years, much like other characters created by Millar, Wesley was only featured in the initial story if there was a sequel. For decades, whispers of a “Wanted” sequel circulated, but it wasn’t until 19 years later that it materialized, albeit unexpectedly. In the pages of “Nemesis: Reloaded,” we discover that Nemesis’ mentor in a secondary plot is actually an older, less Eminem-esque version of Wesley. At the end of “Reloaded,” Wesley makes an appearance, and he, along with The Fraternity’s villainous society, initiates a war against the heroes of MILLARWORLD in “Big Game,” a sequel and crossover to “Wanted.
3) Nemesis
In contrast to Wesley Gibson, Nemesis outshines in terms of villainy, being the epitome of despicable characters Mark Millar has ever penned. Nicknamed “the biggest bastard in the world,” Nemesis takes the top spot among our villains (though not at the top of this specific list). Nemesis is a twist on the classic Batman-like antagonist. In this scenario, he’s Matt Anderson, a billionaire who uses his wealth to torment police and government officials for amusement. Initially, the title “Nemesis” was held by various billionaires as a platform for their darkest desires, culminating in the demise of the unnamed Nemesis. Due to ongoing requests from fans for sequels, we were given Nemesis: Reloaded, which serves as a revamp of the character. In this new iteration, Matt Anderson is indeed the billionaire behind the mask, unlike his previous incarnation, and we witness his origin as he wages war against the L.A.P.D.
As I found myself face-to-face with my nemesis once more, transformed from a comic book character into flesh and blood, I decided to seize this opportunity. I reached out to Wesley Gibson, a fellow member of the Fraternity, and together we plotted a war against the world of superheroes. If it weren’t for some tricky time-travel maneuvers, I would have become the one and only superhero assassin, leveraging powers I had swiped from The Ambassadors, another MILLARWORLD team member.
2) Hit-Girl
In our second position is Hit-Girl, the beloved character who transitioned from sidekick to the profane leading lady. Known primarily from the movies Kick-Ass and its subsequent sequels, Hit-Girl gained a vast following because of her graphic portrayal as a precocious pre-teen. Similar to Deadpool in style, it’s unsurprising that Hit-Girl has embarked on twice as many solo missions compared to Kick-Ass. Regardless of the country she’s fighting crime in, Hit-Girl remains active with an ever-changing roster of creative teams.
Apart from her standalone projects and collaborative role in “Kick-Ass”, Hit-Girl played a pivotal part in the crossover “Big Game”. In this story, she was one of the primary characters who confronted The Fraternity. Later, she discovered a time travel device, which she utilized to survive against Wesley Gibson and temporarily disable Nemesis (although this didn’t last). Whether you admire her solo performances or simply enjoy her as Kick-Ass’s partner, Hit-Girl has deservedly made it onto the list, with hopes for more exciting escapades in the future.
1) Kick-Ass (Dave Lizewski)
Was there any question that Kick-Ass, also known as Dave Lizewski from MILLARWORLD, wouldn’t take our top spot? Dave was just an average high school student who loved comic books and had girl troubles but was largely unnoticed by his peers. One day, he decided to emulate Spider-Man and become a superhero in New York City, nearly losing his life on his first night out as Kick-Ass. Despite the near-death experience and subsequent surgery that left him unable to feel pain, Dave continued to put himself in danger again. His exploits led him to encounter other superheroes such as Hit-Girl, Big Daddy, and Crimson Mist. After taking down the mob’s boss, Mist’s father, Kick-Ass gained a new enemy along with the brothers of the mob leader.
After achieving great success with three volumes of Kick-Ass, culminating in a movie, Dave decided to hang up his superhero persona and become a cop instead. Following his retirement, his partner Hit-Girl ventured off on her own, only to reappear years later in Big Game. Finding life not turning out as planned and now in his 30s, Dave took up the Kick-Ass suit once more, inspired by a woman in New Mexico. He found success again, even being offered a place on the international superhero team The Ambassadors and gaining superpowers through technology. Since then, we haven’t heard from Dave, but I can only imagine he’s still out there, kicking ass wherever he may be.
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2025-06-26 20:11