“Dark Shadows”
Writers: Marc Andreyko
Artists: Jesus Saiz(p), Jimmy Palmiotti(i), Steve Buccellato(c)
Publisher: DC
What basically could have been a simple case of our hero and the new but not improved Shadow Thief kicking each other's asses around the panels becomes elevated by the artwork and the writing in Manhunter. The story picks up with Manhunter a.k.a. Kate Spencer feeling guilty over her son finding her power staff and with it unwittingly blowing up her apartment and himself in the process.
When I read the cliffhanger last issue, I laughed and laughed. Honestly, I didn't like the tyke, and I can't see how you can lay the blame for his predicament on Kate. Sure she should have hid the power-staff somewhere, but the little boy has learned a very important lesson. Respect privacy.
Kate this issue is unleashing her frustrations on a rooftop, and the Shadow Thief decides this is the perfect opportunity to strike. First, the fact that Kate feels bad about her son being waylaid shows that she's far from one-dimensional. I mean I felt nothing but loathing for the kid, but I'd expect her to feel love toward her son. Second, the fight has two divergent points. Shadow Thief is looking for payback. Manhunter killed his partner and "friend"--I suppose--Copperhead. For Manhunter it's more than just survival. This is another opportunity to bring a criminal to justice. I'm also pleased that although Shadow Thief is looking to kill her, Manhunter isn't quite ready to use deadly force on him. I don't know that much or remember that much about the newer Shadow Thief, but I don't believe he was ever a wanton murderer like Copperhead. Manhunter willing to hold back shows her to be more hero than crazed vigilante.
The dialogue on the rooftop and in the narration by of course Marc Andreyko is a riot and just adds to the fun of hero versus villain in a way that's just not done anymore. It must all be in the timing, and the strategies used by both opponents are quite worthy. Add this to Jesus Saiz's comprehensive understanding of musculature, and you not only have an interesting fight but also a beautiful-looking fight. This is not to say that it's a bloodless melee. Kate spits up some painful gore, and the Shadow Thief gets a ghoulish surprise that's half-gruesome and half-hilarious. The shadows though play not only for the Thief, they also play on Kate's sinew and athletic form.
Andreyko in this issue begins to address that sore thumb for me. Smoking. Here he shows the cigarette smoking becoming damaging to her activities. She may work out, but she tires quickly during the fight, and this is what I would expect from a cigarette smoking super-hero. If she doesn't kick the habit soon, it's going to kill her quickly rather than slowly.
Another rare book where things actually happen, Manhunter benefits from co-creator Marc Andreyko's appreciation for energetic dialogue and a smart hero that thanks to Jesus Saiz, Jimmy Palmiotti and Steve Buccellato looks great in red.
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