[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers.]
Writer: Scott Lobdell
Artist: Dexter Soy
Inker: Veronica Gandini
Summary
In this brief conclusion to the “Who is Artemis” storyline, a lot of people get punched in the face. Jason does some punching, some shooting, some soul slicing and some soul searching. Artemis does some punching, axing, arrows shooting and some soul searching. Bizarro, punches and punches and punches. He does not need to do any soul searching. He has the soul of a saint.
Positives
Once again, Dexter Soy has proven that he has a grasp of these characters that no one ever has. Seriously, if anyone else uses Bizarro as a walk on, they should bring Soy in to just draw those panels. The anguish on the face of a clone, a dead man in a mask and a fallen Amazonian princess is palpable. Honestly, I want to make a poster for every single panel. I think we should spend some time looking at his brilliant work.
Here:
And here:
One more:
See? Genius!
Also, Scott Lobdell proves that Jason Todd deserved to be brought back from the dead. There is a moment when Jason has to decide if he is going to kill someone or a bunch of someones. He wonders if his promise to Bruce to quit killing people extends beyond Gotham. It is an interesting question. Lobdell has also made us love a clone who has been totally misused in the DC universe for years. He has also given us an Amazon who acts like regular people would act. Seriously, if you were an Amazon, wouldn’t it be hard not to punch a bunch of idiots?
Negatives
This is pretty short. I feel a bit ripped off. The ending is satisfying, but seriously, 19 pages? What is up with that? Hmmm. Come on team. You only give us one book a month and now you are not even giving us a full book? Frown.
I am not keen on the subtle intimation that Artemis and Jason are going to get together in some romantic way. That was a problem with Roy and Kori in the last book. I think it would be a bad idea to go down that route. These characters have a lot of issues that can be explored without digging into this one. Fingers crossed.
Verdict
Cliffhanger ending. Sort of. Do I really think it will end the way it suggests? No. Do I think I will wait with baited breath for a month? Yes. I would LOVE to see a Trinity/Red Hood and the Outlaws crossover. Can someone make that happen? Please?
Pretty please?
