DCU Comic Book Reviews

MANHUNTER #30

Unleashed, Conclusion:  Hail and Farewell

June 2007

Written by Marc Andreyko

Pencils by Javier Pina, Diego Olmos, and Cafu

Inks by Robin Riggs and Art Thibert

Cover by Jesus Saiz

Synopsis

After learning that “Ted Kord” was actually Everyman in disguise, Wonder Woman realizes that he was using some kind of magic to accomplish the impersonation.  Elsewhere, Everyman returns to the witch Crice, who says she has other plans.  In Gotham City, Dylan is able to defeat Trapp and free Cameron Chase and her sister.  When Dylan returns the Firefly suit he had borrowed, his “friend” immediately calls “Mr. J” to tell them that Dylan is alive and working for the feds.  In Los Angeles, the Knights of St. Dumas continue to come after Mark Shaw, who wants nothing to do with them.  The next day, the grand jury decides not to indict Wonder Woman in the death of Maxwell Lord.  That night, Kate’s friends give her a party to celebrate.  In San Francisco, a unknown man detonates a bomb within a woman’s health clinic. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“To be continued! Really! We have a next issue!!” 

Apparently, Manhunter did well enough with the sales of the second volume of the trade paperback that DC decided felt it warranted a continuation of the series (presumably just to sell more trade paperbacks after each six-issue arc).  I think this is a better sign than just keeping it going because of good sales at the local comic book store.  It means that people in book stores, most likely non-comic book readers, are picking up this title.  To me, that’s always a good sign. 

Anyway, about this issue, which maintains the standard of all Manhunter issues in that it is good.  The ending with the reading of the verdict is somewhat anti-climatic.  This issue was supposed to be the final issue and I can’t imagine they would indict Wonder Woman and then not do anything with it, so it was fairly obvious Wonder Woman was going to go free.  Andreyko wisely keeps the focus on the characters, not only Kate and Diana but also the supporting characters in the book such as Dylan, Cameron, and Mark.  We even got an appearance from Obsidian, slyly (and meta-textually) remarking on his status in the JSA.  It is the relationship among all of these characters that are the heart of this series.  Even special guest star Wonder Woman fits well into the book’s dynamics of characters; the opening scene with Ramsey was just the right touch. 

Let’s see.  Dylan was in Gotham City.  His friend calls a “Mr. J.”  I don’t think it is too much of a stretch to suggest it would be the Joker. 

I think it is a safe bet that the final page was not originally part of the ending before DC decided to keep the book going.  I am also willing to bet the next-to-last page was the original ending.  I am curious to know what was cut out to add that additional page.  I am also curious to know if the Dylan section was supposed to end as it did or if that was another last minute change.  Of course, all of this might be a moot point if the script was written after the un-cancellation (if that is a word).

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