Reviewer: Mathan “Sasquatch” Erhardt
Story Title: Missing Links
Written by: Will Pfeifer
Penciled & Inked by: Richard Corben
Colored by: Martin Breccia
Lettered by: Phil Balsman
Editor: Jonathan Vankin
Published by: Vertigo/DC Comics
The issue begins with excerpts for Coleman Wadsworth’s “I Saw the Thunder Lizard and Other Tales of Cryptozoology” detailing his encounter with the Yeti. The words tell of a gentle creature and how majestic it is. The images we see are of the creature. Then we see a rifle leveled and a Yeti getting his brains blow out. What a way to start the issue.
Then we find Wadsworth in the swamps and he read his inner thoughts that often conflict with his published words. He complains about his life as a cryptozoologist, one who studies hidden animals. He complains about the lack of reliable witnesses. But he’s on the track of a mysterious swamp creature, and soon he find it; Swamp Thing in all it’s glory. Unfortunately for him, Swampy abducts him.
Then it’s back to the modern world where we find Mr. Ramhoff, the gent who killed the Yeti. He’s a man of wealth who has a hobby of killing and stuffing animals that most don’t believe exist or thought extinct. He’s got two yetis a coelacanth and a thunder lizard. Meanwhile Wadsworth is being taken care of by Swampy. They make an interesting couple of roommates.
For a moment Swamp Thing spaces out and has a flashback of how life could be with Abby and Tefe. But then reality brings him back. Wadsworth really wants to stay and learn more about Swamp Thing, but Swampy’s not looking to get attached to anyone right now. So he sends Wadsworth on his way. Wadsworth stumbles out of the swamp only to find Mr. Ramhoff and his manservant have trailed him there. Their mission; to kill the Swamp Things.
Pfeifer has written a spectacular issue. I’ll admit to almost dropping this book. But when I saw his name on the cover I knew I had to pick it up. Every character is so distinct. Wadsworth, is very eager to learn and the consummate zoologist. Ramhoff seems like a typical American, he’s only concerned with himself. Swamp Thing is still trying to come to terms with what he’s become. The book excerpts were great, as it the contrast between them and Wadsworth’s thoughts. It’s a shame that H-E-R-O has been canceled and Pfeifer is off Aquaman, because DC needs to make him exclusive pronto. I wouldn’t even mind seeing him take over the reigns of this title.
Corben’s art is always a treat. His Yeti has a quite earnestness, so much so that you mourn it’s death. Wadsworth looks like a disenfranchised writer in the beginning of the issue and you can witness his spark return. The chilling spread on pages 9 & 10 is disturbing because it’s so realistically rendered. And Swampy looks very imposing when he makes his issue debut on page 6. Everything looks amazing. The colors, the letters, but most of all the art.
