Review: X-Men - X-Cutioner's Song

When an assassination attempt leaves Professor Xavier in critical condition, the X-Men scramble to find his attacker – their one-time ally Cable – which leads them into conflict with his X-Force team. Then, Cyclops and Jean Grey are kidnapped by the forces of Apocalypse. The X-Men must divide and conquer in order to save the life of their mentor and rescue their captive teammates.

X-Men: X-Cutioner’s Song collects Uncanny X-Men #294-297, X-Factor #84-86, X-Men #14-16, and X-Force #16-18. It is written by Scott Lobdell, Peter David and Fabian Nicieza, with art by Andy Kubert, Greg Capullo, Jae Lee and Brandon Peterson.

X-Cutioner’s Song was the first major X-Men crossover event for Marvel since 1990’s X-Tinction Agenda, the aftermath of which saw the birth of Chris Claremont and Jim Lee’s commercial smash X-Men #1. X-Cutioner’s Song, spearheaded by Nicieza, David and Lobdell, is framed as a trial by fire in the foreword for its hardcover collection. It came at a precarious point in the publishing history of Marvel’s Merry Mutants. The creative forces that had helped usher in a new era of commercial success for Marvel had jumped ship to start their own publishing house, which left the company without their big guns and with a sizeable hit to their stock. X-Cutioner’s Song was thus proposed as a way to maintain interest in the X-Men titles and to prove that Marvel was not hindered in any way by the so called “X-odus” of Jim Lee, Rob Liefeld, Marc Silvestri and Whilce Portacio. Sadly, the desperation is easily felt within the crossover and it remains an example of the excessive storytelling of the 1990s.

To use a term popular with describing today’s crop of X-Men and Marvel Studios films, X-Cutioner’s Song suffers from being overstuffed. Despite a remarkably simple premise, the narrative gets weighed down by the presence of its massive cast. There’s roughly two dozen mutant heroes, plus numerous villains, who are all vying for the attention of the reader. There is certainly a hierarchy to the characters involved. Wolverine, Cable, Bishop, Cannonball and Havok are the unequivocal leads in X-Cutioner’s Song. They carry the story forward, while the rest of the characters act as decoration for fight scenes. Even still, we do get some great moments between Cyclops and Jean Grey, as well as some further character development for Archangel. I’m also impressed by the dialogue written for both Boom Boom and Jubilee, whose sass helps to balance out the otherwise soapy writing.

The pacing of X-Cutioner’s Song is brisk. There’s plenty of action, including a rather memorable fight scene between the X-Men and the Mutant Liberation Front. It’s during these sequences where we actually see the characters shine, particularly due to the punchy one-liners and the collaborations between the members of the X-Men and X-Factor (X-Force is sidelined for much of the crossover, unfortunately). All of the explosions and elaborate displays of mutant powers do a lot to distract from an otherwise thinly plotted storyline.

Most of the issues I have with X-Cutioner’s Song revolve around its lead villain Stryfe. He was created in 1990 as an antagonist for the New Mutants and X-Force. He was portrayed initially as a mysterious masked figure, whose face was later shockingly revealed to be exactly the same as Cable’s. Thus began a debate between who was the “real” Cable. X-Cutioner’s Song provides no concrete example into Stryfe’s true identity or why he’s so bitter towards Cyclops and Jean Grey. By refusing to give readers the answers they need, Stryfe’s motivations remain unclear. Since the narrative never offers exposition or insight into Stryfe’s character, readers will undoubtedly be left feeling lost and with more questions than answers. Furthermore, there are issues regarding his general conception and portrayal. He’s a madman, which is always a riveting trait in a supervillain, but is very cartoonish. From his dialogue to his outlandish armour (complete with faux-nipples), he typifies the ridiculousness of the early-‘90s.

Despite its many (many) shortcomings, this crossover is remarkably entertaining – like a mindless popcorn flick. It’s punchy, exaggerated and dynamic. What makes it all the more enjoyable is the gorgeous art provided by Andy Kubert and Greg Capullo. Their art is distinctive and full of character. Kubert’s style came to define the visual representation of the X-Men in the ‘90s and provided the art for X-Men from 1992 up until 1996, becoming one of the longer running artists to work on Marvel’s Merry Mutants. Given the fact that he was Jim Lee’s successor, he did a remarkable job filling a legend’s shoes. Conversely, Capullo took over for Rob Liefeld in the pages of X-Force. This meant that the book went from being defined by its outrageous fashions and mind-boggling proportions to being one of the most beautifully drawn titles in Marvel’s wheelhouse. Capullo is near-incomparable and his characters are truly gorgeous. His take on Jean Grey is especially stunning and it’s quite possible that she’s never looked better than at his hands. Sadly, the art by Brandon Peterson and Jae Lee isn’t quite as remarkable. Peterson’s style is similar to his predecessor Whilce Portacio. It’s rough and largely unattractive. Jae Lee, meanwhile, suffers from inconsistencies. At times, his art is fluid and expressive while at others it seems rushed and lacks detail. While on the subject of inconsistency, it’s worth noting that there are quite a few visual continuity errors. Notably, costumes look different from one issue to another and Polaris’ jaw strap disappears and re-appears (note: she’s supposed to be wearing one due to suffering a broken jaw in the pages of X-Factor).

All in all, X-Cutioner’s Song serves as a reminder of the often outrageous storytelling that pervaded comic books in the early-‘90s. It certainly has an “everything and the kitchen sink” vibe to it and it never really delivers on its promised focus on Cyclops and Jean Grey (since it spends way too much time on Cable and Wolverine – shocker). Taken from an entertainment standpoint, it’s a fun read. We get to see a whole lot of characters interact and there’s plenty of great art to see. With a better villain, or at least one that’s elaborated on more, and some careful editing, X-Cutioner’s Song could have been a very compelling crossover. As it is, it’s merely just a representation of what typified a rather infamous era in comic book history.

RATING: C+

Review: Chōjin Sentai Jetman (1991)

In the year 199X, the international defense agency Sky Force have developed new technology known as “Birdonic Waves.” Sky Force’s scientists seek to empower an elite group of officials with this incredible power in order to defend the Earth. On the day of the procedure, the villainous Dimensional War Party Vyram attack Sky Force’s facility. During the chaos, the experiment goes awry and the Birdonic Waves are accidentally released into the atmosphere.

With Earth in peril at the hands of the forces of Vyram, Sky Force Commander Aya Odagiri must seek out the civilians on Earth who have been empowered by the escaped Birdonic Waves and lead them into becoming the superheroic Birdman Squadron Jetman.

Chōjin Sentai Jetman is the 15^th entry into the Super Sentai franchise and stars Kotaro Tanaka, Toshihide Wakamatsu, Tomihisa Naruse, Rika Kishida, Sayuri Uchida and Mikko Miki.

Having grown up watching the various incarnations of Power Rangers and having an affection for Japanese pop culture, it took me quite some time before I got around to watching a full series within the Super Sentai franchise. Having heard great things about Chōjin Sentai Jetman, I figured that was as good a place to start as any. Heralded for its darker tone and usage of romantic subplots, Jetman made an excellent first impression on me as a smartly written and well-paced series with a colourful cast. Though it’s prone to melodrama and overacting, as well as some insipid monsters-of-the-week, Jetman has heart and a cast of characters we can root for – both villainous and heroic.

The narrative of Jetman is quite fascinating. The series is set in a vaguely futuristic world where the militaristic Sky Force is Earth’s primary line of defense against the invading forces of the outer-dimensional organization Vyram. The Jetman team, comprised of an official from Sky Force and four civilians, are an elite strike force who works under Sky Force in order to combat Vyram. At 51 episodes, the series has its share of filler. The main storyline is often interrupted by irrelevant, and often inane, episodes that do little to develop the characters or move the plot forward. Thankfully, the writers keep things interesting with their reliance on character-driven subplots. For instance, the love triangle between Gai, Kaori and Ryu, as well as the villains’ constant backstabbing, does wonders to keep viewers engaged. It also helps that the conflicts and monsters within the series are surprisingly quite creepy, which heightens the tension and adds a dimension of horror to the narrative. This further plays into Jetman’s mature tone and darker aesthetic.

Beyond the soapy drama, what is most impressive about Jetman is how distinctive its cast of characters is. Even when slogging through the series filler content, the characters are ultimately what keep the audience watching. Each member of the Jetman squadron is unique and fulfills a specific role within the team dynamic.

Ryu Tendoh is the fearless leader Red Hawk. Since he’s the only official from Sky Force to have been properly imbued with the powers of the Birdonic Waves, he has more training than his teammates and remains a consummate professional. This is contrasted against the team’s second-in-command, Black Condor Gai Yuki. Gai is a motorcycle-riding, cigarette-smoking bad boy who thinks with his fists. Coincidentally, both men become involved in a love triangle with the team’s White Swan – Kaori Rokumeikan. Though initially a vapid spoiled rich girl, Kaori blossoms into an incredible sharpshooter and invaluable member of the Jetman squadron. She pursues Ryu early on, but finds him unreceptive due to his continued grieving over the apparent death of his lover Rie. She thus gives into the affections of Gai, who had been flirting with her for quite some time. Rounding out the team are Raita Oishi, the Yellow Owl, and Ako Hayasaka, the Blue Swallow. The former is a simple farmer from the countryside and the latter is a bubbly (and money-loving) schoolgirl. These five are fleshed out remarkably well over the course of the series, though the most attention is obviously placed on Ryu, Gai and Kaori. Despite this, they’re actually not the most likable bunch. Ryu is bland in his squeaky clean demeanour, while Gai is the embodiment of a douchebag. Kaori fares a little better, but she has her moments of being shrill and annoying.

Oddly enough, the best character in Jetman isn’t even one of the titular heroes – it is Commander Aya Odagiri. She is the real nucleus of the series and is a total badass. She’s the one who pioneered the project that gave the Jetman team their powers, she engineers their technology and gear, and is responsible for reining the team in when they’re being consumed by the drama in their personal lives. Not only that, but she even joins them in the field when necessary. One notable instance sees her piloting one of their mecha in order to combat a monster that had targeted her.

The protagonists of Jetman are not the only noteworthy characters from the series. In fact, much of the success of this entry has to do with how compelling its villains are. The Vyram organization is full of self-serving villains who are constantly trying to one-up each other. Radiguet, Grey and Tranza are in constant conflict with one another, backstabbing and doing whatever it takes to be the true victors in their fight against the Jetman squadron. Stuck in the middle of all of this is Maria – the only female member of Vyram. Maria ends up being a pivotal character in the series and her existence provides a lot of drama within Jetman. Much of this has to do with the fact that she is actually Ryu’s lover Rie, who was believed to have been killed by Vyram. Instead, she was captured by their organization and was brainwashed into becoming a villain. When Ryu learns about this, it sends him into a tailspin. However, the drama doesn’t stop there. Later in the series, the writers develop a twisted love triangle between Radiguet, Maria and Grey. This serves as a plot device that mirrors, in a very weird and dark way, the Gai, Kaori and Ryu romantic subplot.

Overall, Chōjin Sentai Jetman proved to be an enjoyable and entertaining series that combined elements of melodrama with zany comedy. It’s understandably quite cheesy and the acting isn’t particularly great, but the characters are lovable for the most part and the action is well done. Since the series was produced in 1991, its budget and the effects of that time could only go so far. As such, it’s quite dated and is often laughable at some points. For anyone who is a fan of the Power Rangers franchise, I highly recommend giving Jetman a watch. Since it was my first Super Sentai series, Jetman has only left me wanting to view more.

RATING: B+

Review: Mighty Avengers Volume 2 - Family Bonding

While Luke Cage and Jessica Jones are busy moving into their new apartment, the Falcon stumbles upon a criminal operation run by Gideon Mace. Mace was responsible for murdering fellow Avenger White Tiger’s family and this discovery leads to her pursuit of bloody vengeance against the crime boss. Then, Spectrum and She-Hulk accompany Blue Marvel on a mission to prevent a mad scientist from opening an interdimensional portal on Earth.

Mighty Avengers Volume 2: Family Bonding collects Mighty Avengers #6-10, written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Valerio Schiti.

Family Bonding is comprised of three mini-arcs that build upon the mythos of the characters on the Mighty Avengers. The first deals with White Tiger’s hunt for Gideon Mace. She willingly gives herself over to the tiger spirit and this puts her in direct conflict with her teammates, which ultimately leads to a knock-down drag-out between them. The second features Blue Marvel facing off against his youngest son – now a supervillain – as he attempts to open a portal that could lead to dire consequences for Earth. The collection then concludes with the reveal of who Ronin is and why the beings known as Deathwalkers are after him.

As with the first volume of Mighty Avengers, writer Al Ewing proves himself to be capable of creating strong character-driven storylines that help readers to relate to the book’s heroes. Blue Marvel is a particular standout. He’s arguably the most prominent character in Family Bonding and Ewing works hard to develop his character in a way that makes him accessible to the reader. This is great considering he’s the most obscure member of the team. However, what is most impressive about Ewing’s work here is that he’s able to portray the Mighty Avengers as a family. This dynamic is reminiscent of the X-Men in their Claremont-penned heyday. It’s a refreshing change of pace from the usual Avengers fare, which tends to represent its characters more as individuals in a slightly dysfunctional dynamic. Of course, it also helps that the conflicts present in this collection are personal. The fact that White Tiger is pursuing vengeance and Blue Marvel is fighting against his own son heightens the stakes and makes the book feel that much more intimate.

In my review for the first volume in this series, I took issue with the choice of Greg Land as the lead penciller. I was pleasantly surprised to see that his art was relegated to only a couple issues, while Valerio Schiti provided the art for the bulk of this collection. Schiti’s work is leaps and bounds superior to Land’s. His proportions are far more flattering, while his facial work is like an interesting mix of Cliff Chiang with Phil Jimenez (if that’s even imaginable). His art is dynamic, colourful and of the quality that Ewing’s writing demands. That said, it’s a shame that Schiti only penciled three issues of Mighty Avengers. He should have been responsible for the art of the entire series.

Mighty Avengers Volume 2: Family Bonding is a satisfying read sure to please its audience. The characters are multi-dimensional, the action is incredible and the majority of the art is absolutely gorgeous.

RATING: B

Review: Green Lantern - Rise of the Third Army

After careful planning, the Guardians unleash their dreaded Third Army on an unsuspecting universe. With most of the Green Lantern Corps caught unaware, it’s up to the rookie Simon Baz and a ring-less Guy Gardner to lead the assault on Oa to stop the Guardians. Meanwhile, John Stewart and his former enemy Fatality must work together in order to re-assemble the planet Mogo.

Green Lantern: Rise of the Third Army collects issues 13-16 of Green Lantern, 13-16 of Green Lantern Corps, 13-16 of Red Lanterns, 13-16 of Green Lanterns: New Guardians, and Green Lantern Corps Annual 1. It features writing by Geoff Johns, Tony Bedard, Peter Milligan and Peter J. Tomasi.

Rise of the Third Army is the first large-scale Green Lantern-centric crossover from the New 52, which revolves around the introduction of the titular Third Army and new Lantern Simon Baz. It’s an expansive story that stretches across all of the Green Lantern titles that were being published by DC Comics at the time. As such, it’s not the most accessible crossover in the world. Readers are required to have a working knowledge of the Green Lantern mythos, as well as the material that immediately preceded this arc by Geoff Johns and Peter J. Tomasi. If that weren’t enough, not all of the titles are written evenly. The issues from Red Lanterns and Green Lanterns: New Guardians are significantly weaker than those from Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps. Of course, the problem with New Guardians is that it continues to attempt to present Kyle Rayner as some kind of one-dimensional messianic figure.

Interestingly, Geoff Johns comes fairly close to Kyle Rayner levels of Gary Stuishness with Simon Baz. The idea that Simon is capable of pulling off things Hal Jordan was never capable of is not my favourite development in the world, but Johns makes me root for Simon regardless. He’s got his share of flaws and his introduction allows for Johns to explore the discrimination Muslims face in America. It also helps that, unlike Kyle, we’re not seeing him bed every attractive female that crosses his path. Simon also has one of the coolest Green Lantern designs we’ve seen in a very long time.

Rise of the Third Army’s premise is terrifying in that it exemplifies how far the Guardians are willing to go in order to “protect” the universe. They have such a skewed mentality of right and wrong that they have now come to see independent thought and free will as something to be eradicated. The seemingly unstoppable Third Army makes for eerie henchmen, assimilating just about everything that crosses their path. Given how much the characters are built up, we care about them and want to see them succeed in defeating the Guardians. This tension builds with each chapter in this saga. Unfortunately, it follows the Trinity War formula in that it’s merely a crossover that’s meant to lead into a bigger, more important storyline. This leaves the reader with little payoff, especially since the big fight against the Guardians is jammed into the final pages of this collection.

Rise of the Third Army is strictly for Green Lantern fans. It does a great job of building upon the mythology surrounding the Corps and allows for some interesting character progression. Simon Baz and Guy Gardner are the real runaway stars of this crossover, with the former making a pretty big splash for a then-new character. It’s not likely to be easy to follow for newer readers or those less indoctrinated in the world of Green Lantern. Hal Jordan and Sinestro’s absence is also felt within this collection, especially after how electric their chemistry had been in Geoff Johns’ preceding arcs. Ultimately, it is the transitory nature of the narrative that cheats the readers out of a great crossover. Still, it’s worth a read – if only for the Geoff Johns-penned issues featuring Simon Baz.

RATING: B-

Review: Mighty Avengers Volume 1 - No Single Hero

While the Avengers are off-world, Thanos sends one of his generals – Proxima Midnight – to conquer Earth. Though Proxima expects an easy victory, she soon finds opposition in the form of Luke Cage and his Heroes for Hire. With help from heavyweights like Spectrum and the Superior Spider-Man, these heroes prove that Proxima has her work cut out for her.

Mighty Avengers Volume 1: No Single Hero collects Mighty Avengers #1-5, written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Greg Land.

There have been many Avengers spin-offs since Marvel unleashed their cinematic universe onto the world, but none have been as inclusive or as dynamic as Ewing and Land’s Mighty Avengers. With a roster consisting of Luke Cage, White Tiger, Power Man, Spider-Man and Spectrum (my personal favourite), Ewing delivers an incredibly powerful iteration of the Avengers and immediately sets to work proving just how badass they are. He does so by setting up a threat that proves their worth, mirroring the beloved Avengers movie by having our heroes face off against an alien menace. He treats the characters seriously and never once underestimates their strengths, which is refreshing particularly considering his cast is comprised of characters that are all too often relegated to the background (save Spider-Man, of course). I’m especially glad to see Spectrum treated as the most powerful member of the group and that her leadership experience is recognized. Ewing also writes in a rather clever Janet Jackson reference when he refers to Spectrum, framing her even more in the narrative as worthy of being acknowledged as the fierce diva that she truly is.

Despite a few hiccups here and there, Mighty Avengers is a relatively accessible title that emphasizes dialogue and action over continuity. The narrative does owe a lot to both the “Infinity” and “Inhumanity” crossovers, which is a given considering the title is a tie-in to both. As such, readers will be required to have at least a working knowledge of these events in order to fully grasp the references made. Regardless, Ewing does a fantastic job providing action that is easy to follow and engages with the audience. The battle against Shuma Gorath is pretty snazzy, while the brawl between Spider-Man and both Luke Cage and Jessica Jones is rather amusing. Furthermore, Ewing is able to capture the distinctive tones of his characters. From Spider-Man’s arrogance to Jessica Jones’ trucker mouth, the dialogue really runs the gamut to provide the book with a wide range of voices.

The weakest link in Mighty Avengers is its artist Greg Land. Often reviled within the comic book fandom for his tendency to sexualize women’s facial expressions (and bodies) and the rumored likelihood of his work being traced, Land is a controversial choice for any title. His art is naturally very glossy and attempts realism, though his porn-like proportions gives his work a less mainstream appearance. This undermines Ewing’s clear attempt to legitimize his band of Avengers.

Mighty Avengers Vol. 1: No Single Hero is a refreshing and endlessly entertaining start to one of Marvel’s more original spin-off offerings of their iconic super team. With its incredible cast and nonstop action, it’s a title that offers readers an opportunity to become invested in this team and to keep them wanting more.

RATING: B+

Review: Justice League United - The Infinitus Saga

With the galaxy in turmoil as a result of the menace known as Infinitus, the Legion of Super-Heroes travel 100 years into the past in order to prevent him from ever coming into being. There’s just one thing standing in their way – the newly formed Justice League led by Martian Manhunter. He and his teammates are unwilling to accept that an innocent life should be snuffed out due to the possibility of it turning evil later on. Thus begins a battle of wills between the Martian hero and the Legion’s Brainiac 5.

Justice League United Volume 2: The Infinitus Saga collects Justice League United #6-10, Justice League United Annual #1, Justice League United: Futures End #1 and Justice League: Futures End #1. It is written by Jeff Lemire, with art by Jay Leisten and Neil Edwards.

As a whole Justice League United has all the right components to be a successful book. It’s colourful, action-packed, and full of punchy dialogue. It also has arguably the most creative line-up for a Justice League splinter team Post-Flashpoint. From DC Comics’ beloved archer Green Arrow to the new heroine on the block Equinox, the roster is really unique. Of course, it certainly helps that writer Jeff Lemire develops tangible relationships between the characters. Animal Man and Stargirl act like siblings, while the latter forms a father-daughter type of bond with Martian Manhunter. There’s also a slight banter that exists between Green Arrow and Animal Man (unsurprising given the fact that Lemire has written both of their solo series).

The scale of The Infinitus Saga is grand enough to give this book a sense of gravitas. In other words, the events feel like they have substance and consequences. The Justice League aren’t just saving a city or even Earth, they’re saving the universe and the future. I can really appreciate this as too many comics these days get caught up in trying to be trendy or cute or funny to really give its protagonists a conflict that highlights their importance as heroes. Here, our protagonists duke it out on Earth and in space, as they battle against the Legion, Byth and (eventually) Infinitus. The conflict is very real and the stakes are high.

Where The Infinitus Saga falters is in its massive over-sized cast, which is largely due to the presence of the Legion of Super-Heroes. Now, I’m actually a fan of the Legion and think that as a whole they’re a fascinating section of the DC Universe. However, there are so many of them that Lemire himself has to write in jokes to acknowledge this. Their presence in the narrative clutters the flow and distracts from the main characters, which is a shame since the protagonists are truly worthy of further development. My biggest issue, and this is not directly solely at Lemire but at Legion stories in general, is that the Legion of Super-Heroes all too often seem like an amorphous blob of colourful heroes who are defined exclusively by their powers.  Because there are so many of them, there’s literally no way of distinguishing their personalities and developing them equally or even in a hierarchy. In The Infinitus Saga, Brainiac 5 is clearly the star. He’s the most fleshed out member of his team and has a distinct personality. Dream Girl and Wildfire are also given opportunities to shine. Other characters have moments (particularly showing off their powers), but this book will leave those unfamiliar with the Legion lost when it comes to understanding who these characters are.

At its core, Justice League United: The Infinitus Saga is a great sci fi adventure featuring a team-up between a rookie team of fan-favourites and the Legion of Super-Heroes. There’s tons of great action and funny dialogue to keep any reader engaged. This collection has its shortcomings, but it has heart. I can appreciate what Lemire was doing with this book, especially since it captures the optimism, spirit and overall do-right attitude necessary for any incarnation of the Justice League. It’s a solid effort that’s worth a read.

RATING: B

Review: Animal Man by Jeff Lemire

When DC Comics announced its controversial New 52 initiative back in 2011, Canadian writer Jeff Lemire was tasked with helming a new Animal Man series. This book would become one of the most unique offerings from the company at that time, whose everyman hero and family-centric drama proved to be an engaging read. For 29 issues (and a 0 issue), Lemire crafted an encompassing epic that followed the personal struggles of Animal Man as he dealt with the Earthly invasion of the Rot and the machinations of Brother Blood.

Having previously read Grant Morrison’s Animal Man run from the ‘80s, I had become indoctrinated to the character via a metafictional and self-aware narrative that sought to analyze the medium of comic books. While Lemire does give the occasional nod to Morrison’s work, he takes a different tact here. One which I feel is more organic and more relatable. From the onset, we meet Buddy Baker on the upswing. His adventures as Animal Man have earned him some notoriety and he’s recently become an actor via a critically-acclaimed Indie film called Tights. Then he discovers that his daughter Maxine has superhuman abilities and is able to commune with the animal world. This leads to the bombshell that Buddy is in fact an agent of the Red, an otherworldly place that links all animal life together, and that Maxine is to be an omnipotent avatar for the Red. If that weren’t enough, Buddy must also protect Maxine and the Red from the monstrous invaders known as the Rot. Then, he must fend off Brother Blood when he makes a play for control of the Red.

I’m a big fan of Jeff Lemire. His Green Arrow run was flawless and his Justice League Dark tenure was impressive, so it’s no surprise to me that I enjoyed Animal Man as thoroughly as I did. With the help of artist Travel Foreman, Lemire crafts this truly unique and distinctive world for Animal Man to operate in. Where his Green Arrow run was grounded, Animal Man features a Guillermo Del Toro-style aesthetic and tone. It’s dark, gritty, horrific, quirky and fantastical. However, it is also deeply rooted in relationships and the importance of family. The Baker family is the nucleus of Lemire’s run, which further extends to Maxine’s feline guardian Socks and the humanoid goat Shepherd.

The cast is complex and relatable. Each member of the Baker family feels real, like we know each one of them in our real lives. From the phone-addicted Cliff to the spunky Maxine, these characters are lovable in their own way. The titular hero in particular is remarkably easy to root for and the reader no doubt finds him or herself relating to him. He’s a flawed hero who makes mistakes, but is constantly looking out for his family. That said, the show is constantly and consistently stolen by Socks and Shepherd. These two are a hoot, especially Socks as this avatar-turned-cat acts as the Luna to Maxine’s Sailor Moon. On the flipside, there are some characters that aren’t the most likeable – specifically Buddy’s wife Ellen. Though it’s not difficult to understand where she’s coming from, she comes across as naïve and wholly ignorant of the reality of her daughter possessing powers. Though she eventually comes around, her actions lead to some painful moments for Buddy and for feelings of alienation from Maxine.

The action unfolds chapter by chapter as an epic that continues to build on the preceding events. Much like Brian Azzarello’s run on Wonder Woman, Animal Man is best read in its entirety. The Rotworld saga that occurs during the mid-point of the series is imaginative and offers a rather interesting alternate future for our world, where the Rot has overtaken the Red and the Green. The action is top-notch and the visuals alone are breathtakingly distinct. Lemire even uses the storyline as an opportunity to bring in Black Orchid, Constantine and Frankenstein, all characters he’d been writing in Justice League Dark and Frakenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. The aftermath of this arc is gut-wrenching and emotional, as it deals with the loss of a major character. Things simmer as our titular hero struggles with this loss, but he’s then thrust into the closing conflict against Brother Blood. The decision to bring in a classic Teen Titans villain, reinvent his motivations and redesign his look is nothing short of brilliant.

Along with Lemire’s run on Green Arrow, Animal Man is a must-read. It is an engrossing series that creates a unique world around its characters. It’s also cohesive in its tone and themes, which gives the book a sense of completion when it concludes. Its characters and story are exceptionally well-written, while the art is expressive and whimsically grim. Animal Man is an accessible title as well, which makes it an easy read for newer readers to comic books.

RATING: A-