Or – “A Book That Really Surprised Me…”

I have to admit, of all the original Image Comics properties, WildCATs was the one that seemed to have the most potential (even if the name was pretty awful.)  When I heard that Voodoo would be one of the core titles of the New 52, opinions around Gatekeeper Hobbies were that it wouldn’t make six issues.  12 months on, I’m still surprised…  Your Major Spoilers review awaits!

VOODOO #12
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Sami Basri
Colorist: Jessica Kholinne
Letterer: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Brian Smith
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99

Previously, in Voodoo:  Priscilla Kitaen is a hybrid, part-human, part-Daemonite, a green skinned reptilian alien race.  She’s also a clone created from the original Priscilla, an advance spy for an alien invasion.  She’s fallen into conflict with the Black Razors (who are apparently also the Blackhawks, something that I don’t quite understand, frankly) and has tracked her alter ego to one of the moons of Jupiter, only to find that the original Voodoo is every bit as uncontrollable as she herself is.  What happens now?

THE FIGHTY-FIGHTY HAPPENS NOW!

Priscilla and Voodoo open the issue in mortal combat with one another, shape-shifting and slashing at one another in (very well drawn) battle.  Sami Basri’s art has been the real touchstone for this book, keeping it on track even when the story circled back on itself after original writer Ron Marz was removed due to a change in editorial direction around issue #5.  When the two version of Voodoo engage in a mind-meld, there is a truly lovely double-page spread where they walk through a mindscape together and discuss their current situation.  It’s kind of a strange moment to have occur right in the middle of a fight sequence, but the layout and storytelling are very strong, and the creative team manages to pull it off with grace.  The layout actually reads in a clockwise manner, which was very difficult to follow in the digital copy that I purchased, reminding me of the limitations of traditional storytelling in digital form…

AN ENDING, BUT NOT *THE* END…

Things get intense, there’s some stuff about an Daemonite artifact called “The Blue Flame” (which I think is related to Helspont, and I also think has appeared before this issue) and the use of characters from the cancelled Blackhawks series, but what it all boils down to is the differences between the two Voodoos.  The problem for me is that the double-Voodoo plot has actually been one of the weakest parts of the series to date, as well as one of the more confusing.  I will say, however, that they managed to wrap this book up without feeling rushed, ending the confrontation decisively, with Priscilla hinting that she has unfinished business with a certain Grifter, while the original Voodoo is seemingly in command of her own alien invasion force.  Given that Grifter was also a WildCAT originally, I suspect that we’re going to be seeing the return of that franchise soon enough, especially given references in this issue to Zealot and an off-panel appearance by someone whom I strongly believe to be Spartan…

THE BOTTOM LINE:  HASN’T LOST ALL THE LUSTER…

When this title kicked off, I found the book better than I anticipated, and the character more approachable than in any incarnation since Alan Moore wrote WildCATs.  That’s still the case, although there seems to have been some creative drift in what that first issue seemed to be driving for (certainly due to the “editorial differences” that caused the writer change.)  This issue has some issues for me, notably in the fact that there are many references to other stories that I’m unsure about.  I don’t know whether we’re seeing hints as to what will happen next with the characters, echoes of Wildstorm, or perhaps both, but this issue at least gives us a proper ending and a climax worth the price of admission.  Voodoo #12 isn’t a surprising last issue, but is still a good one, earning 3.5 out of 5 stars overall.  Here’s hoping that Sami Basri moves to another title as soon as possible, as his art is truly awesome stuff, and he could end up being the next Amanda Conner, in my opinion…