RKMBs Forums .::Robegories::. Comic Books In A Pig's Eye Reviews: Manhunter 1-8

Spoilers, of course, are below....

My initial feelings about the new Manhunter series were along the lines of “Hmmm, I really liked the Mark Shaw and also the Paul Kirk and clones versions, but not again-- this isn’t going to work”. That was the basic reaction I had to seeing the new title and upon flipping through a few pages nothing attracted my eye to it. Months later Marc Andreyko was offering free copies of issue 6 to anyone that wanted to try it..so needless to say I can’t turn down a free book. A few weeks later I got Manhunter # 6 in the mail personally signed by Marc Andreyko, and personalized to me. A very nice gesture to be sure. I read issues 6 and was intrigued by the new Manhunter Kate Spencer. She is a lead Prosecutor for the federal government in Los Angeles, and a recently divorced Mother whose ex has custody of their child. Not all happy for Kate. I still read with reservation and it only interested me more than average. The identity crisis tie ins and the appearance of the secret society of villains and the Calculator did interest me enough to look for back issues. That said, I spent 3 weeks trying to track down issues 1-5 with no luck in the area, even online shops were out of a few issues like 2, 4 and 5. I eventually found 1-5 in a set on ebay for $12.00. Now, I sat down today with issues 1-8 and read them in one sitting. Wow, it’s not Watchmen, but I’m very happy.

I was in disbelief as she broke her weapon and ripped her costume that she stole from the evidence room in issue 3 thinking.. there is no way she can fix that.. but next issue she brings in the services of an ex villain tech from Kobra , etc. She basically tells him he will help her or she will break his witness protection and reveal him to the villains he plea bargained against--brilliant. There are amazing character moments throughout..like her child being hospitalized when he finds her staff that nearly kills him when he playing with it, and the ramifications of losing shared custody. Dealing with her cigarette habit and the conflicts of being a murderous vigilante while being a prosecutor in major cases for the Govt. Interesting takes on villains helps make the series interesting as well…
Kate kills Copperhead in vigilante fashion, but copperhead is ferocious, eating people and barely talking as he is more animal now..as killer croc should be but isn’t.

I like that she is dealing with so many consequences..she even has to deal with the explanation of her son’s injuries, while nosey journalists are breaking into her apartment to look for evidence based on her explanation of her son’s injuries. Her bad relationship with her ex that just isn’t comfortable as they still have serious scars from their time together..all the while she is the prosecutor against the shadow thief who killed Firestorm. She even gives summons to the justice league..ha. The thing I like about this series most is the mix of action with humanity and emotion.

Coming up she will be dealing with Merlyn, Monacle and Phobia….she also had to deal with the deadly Cheshire—barely escaping with her life..while doing something really nasty to the terrorist/assassin. Another villain assigned to kill shadow thief by The calculator is shrapnel..and Kate’s solution for him is brilliant. She is a woman you don’t like that much, but you feel for her and can relate to her. Kate Spencer is someone that you can feel something for..yes, she is a cold bitch, but you wonder why she is that way..her job, her ex, her father, the lack of true justice in the legal system..it all plays into making the overall story interesting, fun and makes you want more.

I look forward to more damage control from the secret society and calculator and the resolution of the shadow thief trial…but, more so I want to see how she balances family, work, and life as a new, struggling vigilante..I wouldn’t call her a superhero. She is how Batman should be…a vigilante gets justice, Batman walks the line, but I don’t know that he ever really gets justice….

Kate Spencer/Manhunter is a person and a character that the average reader should be able to sympathize and relate to even though, ultimately they may not like her as a person. I think I’ll like her eventually..provided I get enough issues before cancellation.

The TPB of the first 6 issues should be coming out in a month or 2 so if you can get the series or the last few issues I would….reading it from issues 1 is much better though. If you can get issue 6 to present I would advize that if you can't find the first few..it is new reader friendly, but I'd suggest atleast buying 2 issues. Finally, the art is very good..in the line of rags Morales, but not there yet..it is more realism based than stylized anime..very solid and very good..the art is pleasant to look at and flows with the story. Jesus Saiz is a definite rising star in the DCU..

8 -8.5 out of 10….. The best new series I’ve read from DC in some time…



All Art @ Copyright DC Comics 2005

I have been colecting this title from the beginning. Unfortunately, due to a mix up, I don't have #5.

It's a great read, with great art. I'm really glad I took a chance on this book.

That's why a book takes word of mouth sometimes..there is so much stuff out there you might look at a book that may in reality be very good, but you might put it down because.."hey, it looks ok, but there are 20 million books i already buy".

I really like it...I think it could get up there with Flash..

Agreed, Pig Iron.

I can't help myself but buy most of DC and marvels(except the mutie wank) output!

It's killing me and a lot of it is gay but it is actually worth it when you get little gems like this. If I didn't do this then i would have missed out on Monolith, Adam Strange, Doom Patrol, Plastic Man and this! Manhunter is my fave of the bunch.

what about archie?

It sells better than all those mentioned books combined..plus x-men..

Merc, one of the old DCMBers, is the assistant editor of the book. She loves it and plugs it over at Moorg's a lot.

Unfortunatley the TPB won't be out until late siummer i think...I was incorrect in saying a couple of months..so back issues it is.... trying to get it from issue 6 would suffice though...

This has quickly become one of my favorite books on the stands. It's done a nice job filling the void that Alias left when Marvel cancelled it...

It's definately in my top ten reads every month, beaten out only by Bendis' stuff...

And actually, I was gonna completely skip this book when it came out, and only tried the first issue on a lark cuz there was nothing else on the stands that week...

You shouldn't try comics on birds! Birds can't read!

That's crazy.

That definitely sounds like a very interesting title. I've read some of the original Manhunter material and also enjoyed the clone who joined the Power Company. Mayhaps I'll try to find these issues so I can enjoy another Manhunter.

I think Obsidian comes out in this series.

I read he was gaying it up in JSA, too.

I think he needs to gay up Batman for the 80s!

Who is this "Batman" you speak of and how come there is no hyphen in his name?

You see, that's Batmans problem! he's directionless! If you and Jim Jackson were at the helm and introduced Obsidianm then I think we could have a classic character on our hands!

As the ultimate expert on all things Bat-related, I'll take your word for it.

The first story arc of the new, totally kick-ass Manhunter is collected in trade.

This is the greatest "In A Pig's Eye Reviews: Manhunter 1-8" thread ever!

Right, Pariah?

Anonymous Sun Dec 24 2006 04:15 PM Reading a post in flat mode
In A Pig's Eye Reviews: Manhunter 1-8

It wasn't me...