Jeff Lemire: writer
Steve Pugh: artist, p.4-18
Travel Foreman: pencils p. 1-3, 19, 20
Jeff Huet: inks p.1-3, 29, 20
The Solicitation
"Animal vs. Man" part 1! As the forces of the Rot continue to pursue The Bakers across the backwoods of America, Cliff and Buddy decide to get in some quality father-and-son time. Plus, Buddy has a terrifying vision of things to come!
Preview
The Story
Those nasty Rot infested animals are attacking, and Animal Man is on the run in Utah. I like that little fact, that they are in Utah. They are trying to head to Louisiana where Socks says that Swamp Thing can help them. Buddy says they can stop by and see the Flash in Central City, but that city is still dealing with the power outage (nice references to the shared universe so far, me likes).
Cliff and Buddy head to town so they can get some food and keep a low profile. Cliff complains that Maxine is getting all the attention and Cliff is getting none. Buddy explains they have to keep a low profile. After Cliff gets some food, he notices some ladies wearing an Animal Man t-shirt. He approaches them and tell them that Animal is his dad. They don't believe him (as is expected), and make fun of him (even better), and then Animal Man comes and he flies away with Cliff, leaving the girls there with their jaws dropped. Awesome moment that I loved.
Back in the RV, the rest of the crew is hanging out with Grandma. As they talk about the supernatural stuff that happens around them, Grandma reaches a point that she can't take it. All the supernatural stuff and superhero stuff that is everyday life for the rest of the fam is just not normal for her. I like that aspect of it, and I am thankful that Lemire remembers this little fact and uses it to his advantage.
Buddy then starts to dream of the rot. He sees a vision of what happens when Maxine and Swamp Thing team up and they are unable to stop the Rot. Animal Man wakes up with Maxine creepily standing over him. She says that she can feel the animals infected by the rot coming. Animal Man opens the door to the RV to a group of animals waiting.
I love this comic. It is hitting all the right story points that make you forget about story structure and it all just seems to happen naturally. You get drawn into the story and the moments and it works excellently. This is the start of a new chapter in the story and it feels like it.
The Art
The transition between the two artists was done very well. A similar style and approach were used that doesn't make it seem too jarring or anything that you would expect to happen when a guest artist is involved. My only complaint is that Pugh's turn on the Rot wasn't as nearly as vomit inducing as Foreman's take. Which isn't bad, because Pugh's version was still creepy as could be, it just didn't make me sick in that good way that Foreman does.
The Cover
If you look at the cover and think "WTF?!?!" then it does its job of enticing you. This is one of the few comics that can pull off that DC banner across the top of the comic since the focus of this cover involves a person dressed in almost the same color of blue that the banner is in. I will take the cover to task for not really reflecting the issue. It is probably more reflective of the next story line more so, but it still works as a great cover.
Grades
Words: 10/10 - sets everything up, catches anyone not up to speed up to speed, and lets each character get their moment to shine.
Pictures: 9/10 - still very strong.
Recommend: Highly. New readers who have somehow missed out on the previous issues should come in here. If you want to give it a try, this is the issue to do so. It should make you want to stick around/buy the first trade when it becomes available.
Buy Next Issue: I'm good to go on that one.
Previous Issues
Animal Man #4-6
Animal Man #1-3
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