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
