Written by Marc Andreyko
Art by Jesus Saiz; Jimmy Palmiotti; Steve Buccellato; & Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Art by Jae Lee
SUMMARY:
In October 2004, DC Comics rebooted Manhunter, as hard-nosed Los Angeles prosecutor Kate Spencer debuts as a mysterious vigilante. Entitled Shedding Skin,” this inaugural issue has Kate pursue L.A.’s super-criminal element upon evading courtroom justice.
L.A. detectives investigate Copperhead’s gruesome escape overnight from a police transport van. A flashback to sixteen hours earlier at the L.A. federal courthouse depicts Kate at work in court. Despite her urging to the jury to sentence serial killer Copperhead to death, Kate is horrified that this monster has been given mercy. Overhearing the police band radio, Kate’s worst fears of his inevitable escape are confirmed. It’s up to the new Manhunter to pursue Copperhead using makeshift super-villain equipment she swipes from her department’s evidence vault.
REVIEW:
One might accurately describe Kate Spencer’s noir-ish Manhunter, as DC Comics’ intense answer to Marvel’s Daredevil. As if the cover’s depiction of blood spatters isn’t suggestive enough, a “mature content” advisory notice is justifiable considering this issue’s ultra-violence. Depicting gritty R-rated gore, writer Marc Andreyko offers solid storytelling amidst some realistically raw dialogue … until one recognizes its glaring flaws.
In all fairness, the improbability of Kate holding her own vs. Copperhead (maybe she is an ex-commando?) might be forgiven. Presumably, the series could/would explain such details later. Yet, this issue’s back-and-forth timeline is too muddled re: what scene is occurring sequentially.
Worse yet, Andreyko belies basic logic as to how a rooftop-hopping Manhunter reaches the crime scene first (evidently, within seconds) to spot Copperhead, just as the police start arriving. Another convenient twist suggests there aren’t witnesses to Kate’s slugfest with Copperhead leading into the sewers. Superficially, this taut action sequence seems realistic, but Andreyko’s storytelling falls short on plausibility at times.
Still, the fast-paced plot mostly justifies artist Jesus Saiz’s grisly crime scene imagery. His murky visual style is impressive, though Saiz’s work borders on gratuitous re: what bloody mayhem readers will see. Visually, Jae Lee’s cover image accurately depicts this Manhunter’s roughhouse brand of crime-fighting. Despite an excessive reliance on gore and adult content, Manhunter # 1 makes an intriguing opener for an ongoing monthly series.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The last page is a column written by a DC “mole” promoting DC’s upcoming projects. Including a sneak preview of Manhunter # 2’s cover, readers can glimpse covers for both JSA: Strange Adventures # 1 and Outsiders # 15.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6½ Stars
