DCU Comic Book Reviews

VIGILANTE #12

Crossroads 

September 2009

Written by Marv Wolfman

Pencils by Rick Leonardi

Inks by John Stanisci

Cover by Walt Simonson

Synopsis

In Chicago, the Vigilante searches for JJ’s kidnapper.  Vigilante wonders why he ever decided to let JJ into his life.  Before…Dorian Chase is convicted of killing his wife.  While in prison, JJ is the one who informs Dorian of his brother’s suicide and double-life as the Vigilante.  Now…The Vigilante continues his search for JJ, learning that the kidnapper is Solomon Bennett, his ex-father-in-law.  It was Bennett who brought Dorian into the mob life and it was Bennett who convinced Dorian his wife was having an affair, the reason Dorian killed her.  Except, his wife never cheated on Dorian.  As Vigilante closes in on JJ, Bennett calls the FBI to let them know where the Vigilante will be.  Meanwhile, Vigilante locates and frees JJ.  He tells JJ to run, then willingly allows the FBI to capture and arrest him.  Later, he is sent to Stryker’s Island.   

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Combined with the fact that I was at one time extremely far behind in my review schedule with the fact that this book was canceled, I decided I would skip reviewing the individual issues and instead review the final issue as a kind of way to sum up the entire run.  So, that explains why there are missing reviews for some of the issues. 

Anyway, the basic problem with this series is that we never got the chance to know the Vigilante, to understand who he is or the motivations behind his actions, whether it is the reason why he is targeting the mob or why he is dressed up in a weird costume to do it.  The foundation for any story and the main character is missing.  I get the attraction of trying to write a story in which a character is a mystery; in fact, many famous and popular characters are the ones surrounded in mystery.  The prime example is Wolverine.  The difference, however, is that Wolverine was part of a larger group of characters. In contrast, Vigilante is the main character.  Hell, he is the title character.  The book is all about him.  But how are we to identify or root for him if we don’t know who he is or why he is doing what he is doing.  And if we can’t connect to the main character, then why should we purchase the book and read about what he is doing.  I think the fact that this series was canceled fairly quick gives the answer to that question. 

As for the ending, I found it interesting that Wolfman would decide to put the main character in jail.  I suppose it is one way to make sure he is not randomly used by any other writer, but it feels like an odd way to go.  Not so much in terms of Dorian’s story, as it seems to fulfill his desire to be punished for killing his wife, not matter how much he was mis-led.  I mean in the sense that we don’t get a happy ending or at least an ending that gives the character hope.  There are other ways to finish Dorian’s story and give him the self-punishment he needs without ending on a downer.  The only upbeat part of the ending is with JJ, but so little was given to his character that his speech about getting out and learning to live again feels forced and perhaps a little tacked on. 

Did they give a reason why the mob wanted Dorian’s wife killed?  Why did Solomon Bennett lie about his daughter’s infidelity? I understand why Dorian wanted revenge.  But I don’t understand why a father would set-up his son-in-law to kill his daughter.  The whole thing feels ill-formed as if Wolfman wanted a character who had done bad things and was trying to reform himself, but couldn’t pull the trigger all the way so needed to find a way that lessened the character’s guilt.  If that makes sense. 

What was the deal with the serial murderer dressing up his victims in odd clothing?  It was one of those things that was not explained very well or at least I didn’t understand.  Was that supposed to be Solomon Bennett since he was the one that led Dorian on the run to find JJ and then called the FBI to set up his capture?  And if it wasn’t…Well, I don’t know.  I don’t have anything.  I’ll just chalk it up to a plot point and story that Wolfman never finished due to the cancellation.  

 

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