Animal Man #9

So, Lemire keeps up the pace here and gives each divergent plot strand a goal. It has a cliffhanger that not only connects the book to another part of DC's darker corner of their universe, but actually allows Ellen and the kids a continued and interesting presence in the narrative. The constant quality of this title continues to impress as it charts the life of a character that has been made relevant by the significant work Lemire has invested in the title. Read Full Review

In the coming issues, it is obvious we are on a crash course towards a Swamp Thing crossover. I can't wait to see where this goes. I have a feeling that the two plots will fit together like long lost puzzle pieces. This book is great and I know it's just going to keep getting better. Read Full Review

Steve Pugh does a great job conveying the weirdness of the Bone Orchard, making every panel look like a photo from the most disgusting issue of National Geographic ever made. His work is of high quality, but since it is following up Travel Foreman's unbelievably engrossing imagery, one can't help but feel his work lacks that special oomph. But that's not entirely Pugh's fault, and given the solid work he has done so far, there is no reason to not be happy with his presentation of Lemire's bizarre story. Read Full Review

Solid and gripping, though the issue doesn't really carry you too far into the storyline. It's really about time Buddy became the great hero he's mean to be, though it appears he'll have to go through a purifying death journey to do it. Read Full Review

Overall, another great issue of a great series. I won't lie about the fact that the first page (the Morrison reference) was basically what made me giddy the whole way through, but Steve Pugh's art and the continuation of Lemire's story are what kept me happy and wanting more. However, it did all go by too quickly and now I have to wait another month for more awesome… which seems to be like the curse of the comic reader. Read Full Review

"Animal Man" #9 isn't an issue to stand alone. It requires a fair degree of what has come before and mostly it is a promise of what is to come and yet with all that it still entertains as its own monthly installment. There are more than enough moments -- artistic, dialogue and narrative -- to satisfy any fan of the title. "Animal Man" aims to go even more epic than the first arc. We must all be happy with such ambition, especially when there is even more skill behind the play. Read Full Review

I'm getting used to new artist Steve Pugh. While still not a fan of how Pugh draws human forms, his fantasy stuff is cool as is the horror work. He has a sense of what's disturbing and bizarre and when he nails it, it's amazing. The inside out whale, The Red's talisman, even a lot of the background work is exceptional here. Pugh had some big shoes to fill and while he will never be Travel Forman, he does a solid job on his own merit. Read Full Review

The dialogue and story in general remain, as always, phenomenal. Nothing glaringly out of place there. Steve Pugh's artwork is great, filling in nicely for series regular Travel Foreman. At times the panel arrangement and action flow are a little less fluid then normal, Pugh breathes life into the words like he's been at it from the start. Read Full Review

Storm Winterfyre

Feb 18, 2019

Cover-**** Writing-**** Art-**** Story-*****