DCU Comic Book Reviews

MANHUNTER #36

Forgotten, Part 6:  Full Circle

January 2009

Written by Marc Andreyko

Pencils by Michael Gaydos

Inks by Michael Gaydos

Cover by Matthew Clark

Synopsis

At Vesetech Pharmaceuticals, Kate Spencer (aka Manhunter) and the Birds Of Prey are able to rescue a number of women who had been kidnapped and experimented upon by the Crime Doctor.  In North Hollywood, Cameron Chase is worried about Dylan Battles, the father of her child.  Although she confides that she might not keep it.  Meanwhile, Dylan returns to Gotham City to confront the Joker, who has been searching for him.  Elsewhere, Kate announces that she has filed a class action lawsuit against Vesetech from their crimes against the women.  Later, Director Bones informs Kate that because of the lawsuit, she can’t work for the DEO anymore.  At home, Kate’s grandmother tries to tell her about what happened to Ramsey, but Kate sidesteps the conversation, for now. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

I liked this issue, mostly because I liked the ultimate resolution to the main storyline of the missing women.  I think the reason that I like this issue moreso than previous issues is the fact that Manhunter’s association with other superheroes is kept to a minimum.  This issue focuses more on Kate the lawyer and Kate the mother in relation to Manhunter, showing how the three mix (or don’t mix, as the case may be).  This book is at its best when Andreyko weaves those three elements together, not when Manhunter is fighting the Suicide Squad or leading the Birds of Prey into battle. 

The best part of this issue is when Kate is explaining the fallout of the lawsuit against Vesetech as we see all of the different people affected by it.  What is so great is that not only do we see normal people, we also see heroes taking normal drugs (like Speedy with her HIV medicines) and we also see heroes, or villains as the case might be, taking the drugs that powers them (in this case Bane).  While I highly doubt this will be addressed in any other comic, I like the fact that Kate’s decision had such a wide-ranging impact.  Yes, she was doing good by rescuing these women and saving them, and ultimately it was the right thing to do, but it also wasn’t perfect.