Animal Man #11 Review
The conclusion to the most recent arc satisfies.
Animal Man #11
As Jeff Lemire finishes off his most recent arc it does feel like a true journey. Buddy Baker is finally back with his family and the emotional crescendo of the book is wholly satisfying. It may have only seemed that Buddy was away from his family for a few issues, but Lemire’s skill has made the whole endeavour seem more epic.
Once Buddy returns there is a great sense of heroics which is grounded in emotion. The family angle Lemire concentrates on really pays off here as the feelings involved are believable and this in turn keeps the reader invested in Cliff’s fate. The outcome of Buddy VS his old Rot infested body might be predictable but it doesn’t matter as you truly believe this character is fighting for his son’s life and not just battling another bad guy who abducted a family member. Also the issue is at its strongest when it deals with the reactions of Ellen and the kids to Buddy return. Ellen continues to be one of the best supporting cast members DC comics has and her emotional state is palatable.
Moving away from the family Lemire litters the book with mythology building as we see Buddy get an upgrade. The eight panel scene that echoes evolution is a truly fascinating moment. It helps the reader get even more insight into the idea of Buddy’s powers. Also The Rot is explored more, with hints of a master approaching. In fact Lemire touches a few bases which enrich the issue, namely Socks the cat who shows his true form. There is fun to be had with the giant monstrous cat and his moments work well.
Alberto Ponticelli is on art this issue and it does seem like he has a grasp on the grotesque. He delivers on all the aspects that concentrate on The Rot and The Red. The main Rot creature looks as horrific as it should and there is a nice visual nod to John Carpenter’s The Thing. But his character work is inconsistent as sometimes he nails it but other times he misfires. It makes for a maddening visual read.
So, the issue’s script wins out as Lemire continues his fantastic work on this title. However the art lets it down as the inconsistency in the character work doesn’t truly help. But even with that one problem it is still one of the best comics on the stands right now.
A COMIC BOOK BLOG RATING
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Script, characters | Inconsistent Art |
| Rating |
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