My buying habits for comics has been evolving in the last year or so, and a lot of that has had to do with discovering Monkeybraincomics.com, where some of the most creative ideas are available today!
This week, a new issue from one of my very favorite digital-first books was released, and it had me on the edge of my seat, as always!
SUMMARY
Pros
This title actually crosses over one of the “uncrossable” lines in comics.
The pacing is fast, the story gripping, and the art clean as well as understandable.
Cons
It’s never long enough! If you’re like me, you’ll be dying to know what happens next (if that’s really a bad thing).
READER RATING!
[ratings]
ANTI-HERO #5
Writer: Jay Faerber
Artist: Nate Stockman
Publisher: Monkeybraincomics.com
Cover Price: $0.99
Previously in ANTI-HERO: Low-level mobster Callum Finney saw a great opportunity when he discovered the secret identity of the super-hero Paragon. Now Henry, who has been recruited to assist Callum in robbing from other members of the mob, must find a wounded Callum before he dies – because if he dies, Henry’s secret identity will automatically be revealed!
WHAT IF A HERO’S SECRET IDENTITY WAS DISCOVERED BY A CRIMINAL?
We’ve all seen the great lengths to which superheroes work to keep their “real” identities from being made public. I wish I could count all the ways Batman tried to fool people who found out he was Bruce Wayne. Well, this digital book breaks through that barrier and shows just what could happen when a low-level criminal actually blackmails a hero into doing his bidding.
Henry realized he’s cornered, so he creates the new identity of Bludgeon to keep Callum at bay. However, as he steals things for the mobster, he eventually runs into some of his hero partners, and he uses something only an ally of one of the heroes would know, and now his new identity may be in peril.
Worse than that, Callum hasn’t been as smart as he thinks he is. The criminal boss who gave him one final chance discovers that the person who has been stealing his stuff is indeed Mr. Finney, and he proceeds to try to eliminate that threat.
This causes problems for Henry since he’s set up a way for his information to be released should Callum die. Now that very well may happen, something Henry realizes when the criminal calls him for help.
One of the things I always enjoy about Mr. Faerber’s stories is that they go places other comics fear to journey into. Anti-Hero is a perfect example of that, and that means I’m struggling to figure out what will happen next. Boy, do I enjoy that!
Also, Faerber’s great at putting characters into situations that make us care about them. Henry has an alienated family, and he still wants to protect them from Callum. We root for him because that’s how a husband and father would respond. We WANT him to succeed.
THE ART IS VERY STRONG
Stockman’s art functions well in both action as well as dramatic, dialogue-centric circumstances. The pacing is quick, keeping me “turning the pages” as fast as I can to find out what happens next.
His ability to show expressions as well as fighting sequences keeps the story progressing well, and I enjoy that.
BOTTOM LINE: ANTI-HERO IS WORTH SO MUCH MORE THAN NINETY-NINE CENTS, SO BUY IT!
It’s never long enough! That’s my only criticism of the book. When I get to the end, just like what happened to me this go-round, I always find myself saying, “No! Not now! It can’t be over now!”
The creative team keeps upsetting the applecart so much that I really can’t figure out what the “status quo” is for the book! I like that since so many comics out today can’t shake things up enough for me.
Anti-Hero is a high-octane, moving and engaging book that you should seek out on Monkeybraincomics.com! It’s one of the best deals offered today! Not only that, it’s terrific!
