"Psychobabble Part Five: Can't Get You Outta My Head"
Writer: Marc Andreyko
Artists: Javier Pina (layouts), Fernando Blanco (finishes), Jason Wright (colors)
Publisher: DC Comics
Plot: The verdict of Dr. Psycho's trial is in. Before the foreman can reveal the villain's fate, Psycho's dampener is deactivated, and he takes the courtroom hostage. In short order, Psycho realizes that Kate is Manhunter and makes her put the uniform on. Kate manages to free herself and thrusts her blade into Psycho's head before snapping it off. Psycho is taken back into custody as Kate reads the verdict.
Commentary: I'm glad that DC has given this title a temporary reprieve because Marc Andreyko has created a great cast of characters and developed one of the best super-hero books being published today. I'm not being facetious. Kate Spencer is a fascinating character. The popular statement to make is that she is a flawed character and that makes her worthwhile. I disagree with that. A character can be flawed and still tank. Just because the protagonist has issues doesn't mean that the title is going to succeed. The trick is to have a flawed character that grows over a period of time. They may not resolve all of their issues but they make an effort, and that's where the drama is.
Marc Andreyko has accomplished this. Not only that, but he has also built a solid supporting cast with its own hang-ups and drama. There's action, romance and humor. This book literally has it all, including references to Stephen Sondheim's Sweeny Todd.
I've never had a book that touches so many elements of my interests.
This month Marc wraps up the trial of Dr. Psycho, and there was no other way to end it then to have Psycho cut loose. The current characterization of Dr. Psycho has been very entertaining, and Marc continues the groundwork that Greg Rucka and Gail Simone had laid down. It's amazing to see that too because five or six years ago you couldn't give this character away. Now he's a major force, or at least he was. The ending of this issue kind of leaves that up in the air but he is further proof that there are no lousy villains, just villains who haven't found the writer who will make them something special. Kate fought him on the only level she could; she waited. At the first opportunity, she acted. It was kind of amusing that after she bit his tongue and put a blade in his forehead, the rest of the Society just abandoned him. It was almost as if they were waiting for something like this to happen so they could be rid of him.
It's kind of funny too because Psycho really didn't have to go through all of that. He was found not guilty, which was a great twist. It also spoke to how good of a lawyer Kate is leading to that last page when Mr. Bones pretty much told her that other villains are going to want her to defend them, which gives his organization an in to catch these guys. That raises some interesting ethical questions that I hope Marc will explore.
Of course, the fact that she is an attorney that has broken any number of laws to bring people to justice also raises some interesting ethical questions. Maybe we don't need to look into that so much.
In The End: I liked how Andreyko wrapped up this arc. He brought the story to its natural conclusion and appeared to have some fun with Dr. Psycho. The supporting cast got a little screen time too, and I am very interested in the serial killer sub-plot that kicked into high gear last issue. My hope is that sales go up on this book to allow for the series to continue, so I'm really going to push for y'all to start reading this comic if you aren't already. It has a lot going for it: a complex protagonist, a great supporting cast and some of the most off beat stories you'll find in this genre of comics. Give it a try. My hope is that you won't be disappointed. I don't think you will.
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