Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: Take Me Out to the Ballgame
Written by: Peter Milligan
Penciled & Inked by: Javier Pulido
Colored by: Javier Rodriguez
Lettered by: Clem Robins
Editor: Karen Berger
Publisher: Vertigo/DC Comics
Meet Ruben Alfredo Valdez, a Cuban refuge, who also happens to be the hottest player for New York’s premier baseball squad. He struggled to get on top of the game, and he enjoys all the perks of being on top. But then organized crime decides that he should throw a game, or a little tape that could tarnish his image will get released. Being the man he is, Ruben refuses to take the dive for the game, so after the game he takes a dive off his building.
The team owner calls in Christopher Chance to investigate this suspicious death. Chance becomes Larry McGee, one of Ruben’s down on his luck teammates. This way Chance doesn’t actually have to play the game. Larry thinks that his wife may have been sleeping with Ruben. Larry has a pretty miserable existence, in terms of a professional baseball player. But when Larry actually gets some playing time, and by Larry I mean Chance, does he have what it takes to play in the majors?
Milligan can write a great story. His pacing is perfect. We don’t even see Chance until halfway through the book. Even though we’ve only met these characters this issue, they seem very three dimensional, and well rounded. You do feel sorry for Larry and Ruben. It is always fun to read Chance’s thoughts on situations. And Milligan sure knows how to craft a cliffhanger.
I love Pulido’s art. But this issue looks labored. It doesn’t have the same smoothness that previous issues have had. I know that he and Cliff Chiang are supposed to tag team this book, but Pulido really needs a break. This issue isn’t as crisp or sharp. The storytelling is there, but the flair isn’t.
