H-E-R-O #16 Review

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Reviewer: Mathan “I can’t dissect a worm” Erhardt
Story Title: Good Guys & Bad Guys

Written by: Will Pfeifer
Penciled by: Dale Eaglesham
Inked by: Wade von Grawbadger
Colored by: JD Mettler
Lettered by: Pat Brosseau
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Publisher: DC Comics

Last issue, Robby Reed, of the old school “Dial H For Hero” folks-who-had-the-dial, met up with Jerry, the guy who had the dial from the first arc on this title. Reed explained to Jerry some aspects of the dial and that folks actually keep the power that the dial gives them. Then he and Jerry set out to find the dial, and to prevent it from ending up in the wrong hands. Unfortunately, the dial has been found by someone dumping a body in the river.

This issue begins with some cops in Wilmington Delaware finding a murder victim impaled on a radio antenna. Back in Heaton, Pennsylvania, Jerry says “good bye” to Molly the girl he was trying to impress back in that first arc. Then he and Reed embark on a road trip to Philly where Reed is sure the killer will strike in nine days.

Meanwhile, in Philly, a woman is attacked in an alley. Thankfully she’s saved by a costumed character that kills her attacker. When the police arrive on the scene, the costumed guy kills them too. He then tells the woman “you can beg better than that.” Pretty scary stuff.

Jerry and Reed find out about the murders. Apparently Reed knows what’s going to happen in the future, but it isn’t too accurate. To be sure this is the incident that he knew was going to happen, he teleports them to the crime scene. Now, when I say that page sixteen has one of the most disturbing, gruesome images that I’ve ever seen, I am not exaggerating. It is very creepy.

Of course like any serial killer, the killer is in the crowd enjoying the affects of his handiwork. Reed and Jerry try to warn Reed’s ex wife about her upcoming death (Reed knows it’s related to this serial killer.) The only problem: Reed is an escaped con and the police arrive on the scene. Oh boy.

Pfeifer is doing some great work with this book. The last two storylines have been really cool. This issue has every element, suspense, comedy, romance, and horror. It has everything. I’m still suspicious of Reed’s motivations. And the mystery killer looks to be a serious threat. What’s cool is that we don’t know anything about him. Hopefully Pfeifer will keep him an enigma.

The art on this book is equally great. I wasn’t a fan of Eaglesham’s work on Green Lantern, but here with von Grawbadger’s inks it looks amazing. I’ve been a fan of von Grawbadger since Starman, and his work continues to stun the eyes. Again, page sixteen is positively chilling. I want to turn away, but I continue staring. Man, what a page.