Review: Sideways #7

by Ari Bard
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[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Storytellers: Kenneth Rocafort, Dan DiDio

Dialogue: Dan DiDio

Colors: Ivan Plascencia, Dan Brown

Letters: Travis Lanham

 

Summary

Derek and his father are grieving after the death of Derek’s mom.  Sometimes lashing out is necessary for a teenager to grieve, but Derek better be careful about how he does it.  Derek won’t be able to mourn for long, however, because the Seven Soldiers need his help.  With a group like this appearing, things are surely about to go Sideways!

Positives

I am just going to come right out and say it: DiDio needs to stay on this book.  In two issues, this series has transformed from something mediocre to a compelling read I am looking forward to every month.  I can feel such passion behind the writing and Derek’s character, and I do not thing that was there in past issues where DiDio or Rocafort were not involved.

This issue’s art and paneling styles differentiate it from the previous issue so well.  The last issue was very dramatic, and a lot of events occurred that forever changed Derek’s life and his understanding of the dark multiverse.  As a result, the paneling was very unique and more chaotic, almost representing the dramatic events that were unfolding before our very eyes.  This issue is more emotion based, so the paneling is a lot more formulaic.  The art is important, but clearly Derek’s thoughts and words are supposed to shine through the most.  I might be over analyzing here, but I’d like to think all of this was intentional.

I’ve complained before that sometimes, Derek’s emotions feel too over-the-top, or like they are not coming from a real teenager.  That was not the case here.  DiDio was able to balance all of the emotions that come with grief so well within Derek, and the lashing out, the sadness, the anger, and the mistakes he makes in this state all feel natural.

Finally this starts an arc that will lead into an annual with Morrison on-board, and Morrison’s own Seven Soldiers are being used.  Its great to see a long dormant set of character being used again, and I thought they were a fantastic cast to bring into this book.  I am excited to see where the adventure takes them.

Negatives

For the first time on this series, I have no negatives to point out.  This issue was fantastic and I can’t imagine how it could be better.

 

 

Verdict

I do not give out 5 stars very often, but this is the best issue of Sideways yet and I can’t wait to see where this goes.

 

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