Reviewer: Mathan “Mariah’s dreamy” Erhardt
Story Title: Hurly Burly: Part Three
Written by: Peter David
Penciled by: David Lopez
Inked by: Fernando Blanco
Lettered by: Jared K. Fletcher
Colored by: Nathan Eyring
Editor: Nachie Castro
Publisher: DC Comics
The issue begins 20 years ago as we flashback to Boxer as a boy who’s just gained his powers. It’s not a happy moment.
Then we find ourselves in the present. Dolf and Doctor Juris are talking about this and that, including Lee’s pregnancy. Suddenly they realize that Bete Noire is in trouble and Fallen Angel is at the heart of it.
We then flashback to Fallen Angel talking to Slate and learning about The Hierarchy, the group that tried to kill her two issues ago. The Hierarchy is also the group behind Doctor Juris, who happens to be the father of Lee’s child.
Back in the present The Hierarchy sends Mr. Kind to deal with Fallen Angel, much to the fears of Doctor Juris. The two exchange words and then attack. Now I’m not going to spoil anything, not even the outcome of the battle. But I will say that the showdown ends on a shocking and tragic note.
David knows how to tug on the heartstrings. This issue is amazing. The subtle interactions between characters are priceless. Doctor Juris showing a chink in his armor, Dolf showing fear. And Lee’s understandable exhaustion at the end of the issue is (fill in the blank) moment. The way you understand the motivation for the action at the end of the book, makes it all the more brutal to witness.
Lopez and Blanco are machines. They’ve had an impressive run on this book. This issue is no different, as they really work their magic on the page. The look of fear on the usually stone-faced Doctor Juris on page 4 is a fright-inducing image. The battle between Mr. Kind and Fallen Angel is epic, and drawn that way, as is the outcome. But the final two pages of the issue are the most difficult to look at. The second to last page literally knocks the wind out of you, and the last page causes you to double over. These guys are amazing.
The coloring this issues is also spectacular. The battle is an example of the extravagance, and the last page is an example of subtlety.
