I’ve become quite the fan of Jeff Lemire’s work since he wrote Animal Man #1 back at the dawn of the New 52, and his work on this title continues to grip me!
SUMMARY
Pros
Lemire and company deliver one of the most dramatic and fascinating comics from month to month.
The characters in this book are some of the most human around!
Cons
You do need to keep up with this title each month to understand what’s happening!
[rating:overall]
READER RATING!
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ANIMAL MAN #22
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artists: Steve Pugh, Francis Portela
Colorist: Lovern Kindzierski
Cover: Jae Lee
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Previously in ANIMAL MAN: Animal Man has become the most famous hero in the world, which isn’t helping matters in the Baker household—or stopping the horrifying debut of The Splinterfolk!
TWO POWERFUL STORYLINES THREAD THIS COMIC!
I’ve often stated that I’m a big fan of variety in my reading, and this book proves it! Mr. Lemire tends to tells stories that focus on drama instead of action/violence, although he does use that to great effect as well.
This issue is a perfect example of that.
The first storyline features Maxine, Buddy Baker’s daughter, as she continues to explore her relationship with The Red. Given the recent loss of her brother Cliff, she decides to use that connection to attempt to revive him. However, the results aren’t to her liking.
The second thread focuses on Buddy as he continues to track down a killer on the loose. After leaving the press behind, who want to talk with him since his acting career has taken off, Animal Man uses his own connection with The Red to locate The Splinterfolk, humans who envy his ties with the world’s animals. However, Buddy is overwhelmed by their links to animals, leaving him open to attack. That’s when the violence happens!
Then The Splinterfolk drain blood from Buddy’s body, which is spirited away to one of DC’s big bads, something we witness on the final page of the issue. Be sure to get this book to find out just who that is!
THE ART WORKS WELL WITH THE STORY
I’m still grieving at the news that Steve Pugh will not be lending his strong art to Animal Man for much longer. I’ve always felt his ability to translate the strangeness Mr. Lemire devises to the printed page has been truly superb. Great stuff! He will be missed!
Pugh and Francis Portela combine nearly seamlessly to keep things moving from storyline to storyline, no small feat! Each page conveys the emotion of the moment extremely well, making me care about everyone, even Socks the cat!
BOTTOM LINE: ANIMAL MAN IS ONE OF THE MOST CONSISTENTLY GREAT BOOKS EACH MONTH!
I’ve always liked Buddy Baker and his family, but since the debut of the New 52, Animal Man has become one of my favorite books to read each month. While there was a crossover with Swamp Thing several months back, this title reminds me of the days when a strong monthly comic was enough to grab our attention! I wish more books were as consistently enjoyable as Animal Man! Can’t wait for next month!
[rating:5/5]