Animal Man #16 Review

Jeff Lemire has really been writing some quality comic books during this Animal Man run of his. The Rotworld story arc has been going on for what seems like forever, which is not a bad thing, but we are now coming near the end. This is what I guess is the penultimate issue for Rotworld in Animal Man, and it really is full steam ahead for the finale next month.

I mentioned in a previous review that I wished it would take them a while to get to Arcane's base, but in reality it was just a turn of the page. You would think that this would annoy me but it did not at all due to what had come before that in this issue.
We had a beautifully looking battle in Metropolis which I think was pretty much filler in this issue, but if you read AM, then you know that even the filler is way above average when Lemire is on form. We also learned more about the scale that Rotworld was on, as well as just how powerful it is. Of course we knew it was powerful, but when the Guardians cant even stop it, you know you are really in trouble.

The highlight of this issue had to be the other plot in this book; which is of course was Maxine before Rotworld had started. I was really enjoying how she had to grow up and take responsibility for who she was destined to be in previous issues, but with this issue the rug really was pulled right from under our feet. Something happened here that I was really not expecting, but it also makes sense considering the effect that Rotworld has had on Earth. In fact, thinking about it, I am surprised that I never saw something like this coming. I am just hoping that Lemire can somehow make everything better, but with the tone of this book something tells me that I may be wishing for something that will not happen. Happy endings are never guaranteed with Animal Man.

This issue was mainly build up for the final battle next issue; which happens to include some familiar faces on the opposition side. However, that is not to say that this was a bad issue, in fact it was a very good issue. Some plot points came together which helped to make sense of what has happened on the planet.
Rotworld has been such an epic event, that may have gone on just slightly too long, but with the end in sight now I am just very pumped to see how this will all end.

Rating: 8.3 / 10

Yes 8.3. I think I am going to break out into these type of ratings from now on.

Animal Man #14 Review

Animal Man has been one of the surprise hits of the New 52. Jeff Lemire has been hitting it out of the park most months, however I feel like the last 2 or 3 issues have not been up to the standards that we have got used too. This "Rotworld" story arc is something that I was a bit unsure about. Saying that, this issue has gone some way into persuading me that Animal Man is starting to get back on track.

I think the best part of this issue, as well as this arc so far, are the flashbacks to Buddy's family before Rotworld began. The start of this issue was something that I wasn't expecting, half due to the fact that I forgot what happened at the end of last issue. However, seeing Buddy's family pretty much destroyed within the first couple of pages was shocking to say the least.
Maxine is now the last one standing. "Little Wing" was someone who I wasn't really too bothered about throughout the series until this issue. I am starting to see some great possibilities for some fantastic character development. I always forget that she is only four years old, and it is now clear that she will be facing some really difficult decisions in the next couple of issues. It is starting to look as though this part of the story is worth the price of admission alone.

Lets not forget what is happening in the other half of the book, Buddy Baker in Rotworld itself. In this issue we saw Buddy and the rest of the gang fighting some of Arcane's men which were sent for them; it was a nice little batlle. However, what we learned at the end of the battle is what was the most interesting; Maxine is being held captive by Arcane, and that Buddy must go after Arcane in order to save her.
I felt that this twist along with the surrounding area that Buddy finds himself in; gave this story arc a bit if a Stephen King feel to it. It is pretty hard to explain unless you are a fan of Kings' work, but it just feels very familiar; which is a really good thing by the way. I think some of this may be down to the art of Steve Pugh, along with the colours of Lovern Kindzierski. These two combine to give the book a very unique feel to it, as well as making it feel like a comic book for some sort of Stephen King novel.

All in all I feel like I am once again invested in the story of Buddy Baker; and I wish him all the best in it. I hope Lemire prolongs the travelling aspect of the book so we get to see more of the environment. However, I am now confident that whatever path is chosen, it will most probably be the correct one.


Rating: 8/10