[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Dan Abnett
Artist: Patch Zircher
Colors: Mike Spicer
Letters: Tom Napolitano
Summary
It pays to walk a mile in someone else’s shoes, but dying in them takes the metaphor too far. So, how far will Quietus and Honor go to keep her family from Wishbone’s monster? Sometimes the answer is found in a common goal. And nothing unites a hero and a villain like a shared enemy.Â
Positives
The opening scene with Mr. Supers holding the lifeless body of a young blonde wearing Mr. Supers’ colors is pure gold. It’s the Crisis on Infinite Earths cover that has haunted my memory for over thirty years.Â
The only thing better is the monster named Michael who chomps Mr. Supers in half. You remember Michael, the lackey who was transformed by Wishbone as a last-ditch magical effort to safeguard Talia Al Ghul.
There’s a great back and forth between Honor, who is currently inhabiting the body of Quietus, and Quietus, who has been in the body of the Silencer ever since Wishbone switched their identities. Whew! When Quietus (Silencer) tries to save her husband and little Ben, Silencer (Quietus) asks if that is her family. He then uses a reference to his son to try and get more information from her, before revealing that his son is dead.Â
Unlike the fighting in #9 Quietus and Silencer have to work together in this issue. Watching them try to explain how to use their powers to each other is a tickle. In both cases, Honor is trying to outrun Michael and her frustration in comparison to his quiet calm is a great juxtaposition.Â
Negatives
Honor and Quietus both have convenient last-measures that barely save the day. It’s a little too convenient. It should be a nice set up for the lead-in to Talia’s resurrection, but instead, it feels more forced.Â
Sadly, the fact that Michael somehow survives the explosion from Quietus and is in a weakened state that makes him a perfect guide is also too easy.Â
Verdict
I liked the hues of background color that shaded this issue with emotion. But, the actions and story did not match the colors. I know that these are necessary steps to get the characters to a direct confrontation with Talia, and overall they are handled with poise and confident pacing. Maybe after this storyline, Dan Abnett can pull back and reset the momentum
