Kinetic #4 Review

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Reviewed by: Mathan “I’m doing my part to keep this line alive” Erhardt
Story Title: Mom

Written by: Kelley Puckett
Penciled and Inked by: Warren Pleece
Lettered by: Rob Leigh
Colored by Brian Haberlin and Avalon Studios
Editor: Matt Idelson
Publisher: DC Focus/DC Comics

So last issue Tom realized that not only was he cured, but he’s pretty much invulnerable and super strong too.

This issue opens with Brenda (Tom’s mom) out on a date. She tries to enjoy the evening but she is reminded of the burden of having a son that requires constant attention. When her date tries to “seal the deal” she politely shoots him down. Then she goes home and sits in the garage and prepares for “mom” mode. She goes upstairs to give Tom his meds. But when she opens the door she finds him holding his bed above his head. She then promptly faints.

When she awakens she realizes that her son’s are is working again, but can’t quite accept that he’s cured. When confronted with the miraculous fact, she tries to fit it into her routine, but she can’t. She and Tom then go out to eat and discuss what sort of action they should take. Since he’s cured Tom asks to stay out late, and since he’s not in danger of anything she allows it. Then she goes back to her dates house enjoys her first night of freedom in a long while.

Puckett is telling such a human story. I doubt that there are characters that feel any more real than Tom and Brenda. The really behave how you would expect them to, given the circumstances. And that is what makes this book so great, the characters that find themselves in circumstances that they can’t explain and still act in a way that rings true.

Pleece has the burden of handling the majority of the storytelling for the title, but he does it in such a wonderful fashion. The veneer that Brenda wears on her date is so painful to witness, and it speaks volumes. In fact Brenda’s face tells the entire story throughout the issue. Pleece is the reason the book works so well.