Reviewer: Mathan “I always pull the green wire” Erhardt
Story Title: Friendly Fire Part 3
Written by: Justin Gray & Jimmy Palmiotti
Penciled & Inked by: Tom Coker
Colored by: Chris Chuckry
Lettered by: Jared Fletcher
Editor: Joey Cavalieri
Published by: DC Comics
So there is this guy who is attacking buildings with links to Muslims in NYC. Bruce Wayne happened to be in town, so Batman’s on the case. The Monolith is just drawn to evil so the two heroes collide. The Incinerator has struck again, and Bats needs help from the Monolith to navigate the city.
The issue begins with Batman following The Monolith into the sewers on the trail of the Incinerator. Alice and Tilt decide to spend some quality time together. We then flashback to ten years ago to see the events that transpired to make Todd Martin become the Incinerator. Ten years ago bullies picked on Todd. Ten years ago Todd had dreams of being a firefighter and was in love with a girl named Nichole.
Back in the present Tilt and Alice discuss Alice’s love life current events. Y’see Alice has met a guy. But she used to be a junkie. So she wants to get tested for AIDS. And since Tilt was also a junkie, Alice suggests they go together.
Back six years in the past Todd didn’t pass the firefighters exam. Furthermore he has accepted that he and Nichole will only be friends. Before they go off on their separate paths, he to the military her to Wall Street, he gives her a portrait that he drew of her. Then they go their separate ways.
In the present Batman and the Monolith arrive at a mosque to find a Muslim strapped to a bomb. Bats tries to get help from Oracle. Black Canary adds her two cents. But they don’t really help matters.
Two years ago Todd was in Afghanistan as part of the military. There he tragically killed some fellow soldiers. In the present Tilt finally decides to go with Alice to get tested. Meanwhile The Monolith grabs the bomb and absorbs the explosion, which shatters him to pieces. Batman goes off after Todd.
But, then, the Monolith reforms and also goes after Todd. The Monolith catches up with Todd, who is looking down upon Ground Zero (where presumably Nichole was killed.) Todd has decided to blow himself up. But the Monolith thwarts his efforts. Batman arrives to bring Todd to the authorities. He also chastises The Monolith for being reckless and for trying to give Batman the slip. Then we see Tilt and Alice about to get the results from the doctor. To be continued.
Palmiotti and Gray have told a great story with this issue. They have made Todd a believable character, while you may not sympathize with him; you understand how he came to be. The “c” story of Alice and Tilt’s test is also pretty powerful. Batman is completely in character and the bit with Black Canary was pretty funny. But Todd’s story is the most powerful of the bunch.
Coker’s realistic art really adds to the issue. When Nichole and Todd say their last good bye, it’s tough to look at because it’s so well done. And the transition between walking in the snow and walking in the sand in the final two panels was a really nice touch. The scene with Todd looking at Ground Zero is also a chilling image. The whole issue looks great, but those are some of the parts that stand out for me.
