DCU Comic Book Reviews

MANHUNTER #29

Unleashed, Part 4:  Proof

May 2007

Written by Marc Andreyko

Pencils by Javier Pina, Brad Walker, and Fernando Blanco

Inks by Robin Riggs and Fernando Blanco

Cover by Sean Phillips

Synopsis

In her defense of Wonder Woman, Kate wants to use the footage of Superman being controlled by Max Lord.  Diana refuses.  Although Kate acquiesces to Diana’s wishes, she calls Lois Lane.  In Gotham City, Dylan Baker uses some of his contacts to get material to help him free Cameron Chase from the clutches of Dr. Claw.  Meanwhile, Mark Shaw awakens at home, with the uniform of the champion of St. Dumas by his bedside.  Shaw puts it away.  In Gotham City, Dylan faces Claw in the old Firefly costume.  Later, Superman visits Kate and they visit the judge, hoping to sway here regarding the footage.  Unfortunately, the jury is already debating.  Later, Kate confronts Blue Beetle that she knows his real identity:  shape-shifter Everyman.  Unfortunately, he is able to get away, but Kate has bigger concerns.  The Grand Jury has a verdict. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

This issue had the usual mix of action and suspense with the usual array of characters and situations balanced well throughout the issue.  I like how all of the pieces are coming together (Dylan saves Cam, Shaw’s destiny is revealed, and Diana’s fate is decided) for the what was supposed to be the finale of the series.  I hope Andreyko left himself some material to start the next arc. 

I am not exactly sure what the deal with Superman and the footage was supposed to be about.  Andreyko introduced this bit, made a big deal of it, and it essentially led to nowhere important, like a big, giant red herring.  But a herring to what?  I would guess that Luthor is involved in some manner.  Is this related to mind control, somehow related to the verdict?  Indeed, Blue Beetle’s identity is only revealed after the grand jury has already debated, making the discovery moot.  They decided thinking he was real. 

Well, to say the identity of Blue Beetle surprised me is an understatement, especially since the character in question is supposed to be dead!  It will be interesting to see how DC handles this situation (and I would really like to know if this was a mistake or if it was intentional).

I was amused to see Dylan wearing the old (or is it the current?) Firefly costume.  Sometimes I forget that he was originally a villain and was only coerced into helping Kate.  As usual, Andreyko mines DC’s past extremely well to help flesh out the current stories.  The same is true for Mark Shaw’s current story.  I am not all that fascinated in the return of the champion for St. Dumas, but I must admit it is a part of the DC universe that has been neglected and I am at least curious to see where it all leads. 

Wow.  Three pencilers?  Is this because the book had been canceled and its return marked a rush to get this issue to hit the stands.  Despite the three pencilers, the change in style is not that noticeable.  I am guessing each penciler handled a different section (Kate, Cam and Dylan, and Mark Shaw), which is actually quite a good idea.

Comic Connection

Hannibal (aka Everyman) apparently was "killed" in 52, Week 39. 

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