DCU Comic Book Reviews

THE CREEPER #6

To Creep Or Not To Creep

March 2007

Written by Steve Niles

Pencils by Justiniano

Inks by Walden Wong

Cover by Justiniano

Synopsis

At the Gotham Tombs Penitentiary, surrounded by dozens of similar creatures, the Creeper is about to be pummeled to death when suddenly the first creature called Gavin comes to his rescue.  In the melee, one of the creatures falls into the Gotham harbor and explodes when it lands near a water mine.  Jack then gets the idea to force all of the creatures in the harbor, including Gavin even though it helped him, so that they all explode.  Afterwards, Batman offers Jack Ryder the cure for his Creeper condition.  Meanwhile, Jack returns to the tv station on goes on air with information on Dr. Yatz, the one who created the serum that changed him into the Creeper.  This information leads to Yatz’s arrest.  Later, Jack trosses the serum into the trashcan and heads out to fight crime in Gotham City.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This was a very solid ending to the mini-series.  There were a couple of scenes I really liked, especially the moment when the Creeper realized he had to kill the one who had just saved his life.  It was a touching moment, but you could understand why he had to do it.  I also liked how the Creeper felt Batman betrayed him.  I am no altogether convinced of Jack’s change of heart to let Vera handle the story (Jack Ryder being nice just does not work for me), but it was a nice touch. 

There is something very odd and discomforting about at the ending to this series.  In particular, I am thinking about the decision made by Jack Ryder to forego Batman’s “cure” to remain the beast that is the Creeper.  I suppose the basic premise of the Incredible Hulk has been too ingrained in me to think that a man who shares his body (and soul?) with a hideous creature would be so accepting of the situation.  The type of stories I come to expect from this formula come from the years of watching David Banner on the tv show trying to find a way to get rid of the creature.  More than that, however, is the fact this constant battle for creates natural tension as the two side of the person battle control.  Who will win:  the good side or the bad side?  This series doesn’t shift Jack and the Creeper on opposite moral sides, but instead places them on opposite physical sides with the Creeper being the muscle-bound, fearless fighter and Jack the brainy thinker.  To me this robs the story some of its oopmh.  As presented, the Creeper is nothing more than an investigative reporter; Lois Lane with a weird laugh and green hair.

It was nice to see Justiniano on the final issue.  As I guessed, his version of the large battle was an outstanding.  I really liked what he did with this series; it fit his style well.   

 

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