Reviewer: Mathan “I Have To Wait How Long For #19?” Erhardt
Story Title: Hurly Burly: Conclusion
Written by: Peter David
Penciled by: David Lopez
Inked by: Fernando Blanco
Lettered by: Pat Brosseau
Colored by: Nathan Erying
Editor: Nachie Castro
Publisher: DC Comics
So last issue Boxer came out of Lee’s closet and punched her in the stomach, as part of his attempt on the life of Fallen Angel, despite the fact that Doctor Juris forbade any attacks on Lee. Boxer didn’t know 1) Lee was pregnant or 2) Doctor Juris was the father.
This issue begins with the concluding flashback to twenty years ago and the origin of Shadow Boxer. After using his shadow teleporting powers to save his father, Terrance is shocked to learn that his father isn’t grateful. He takes his aggression out on his wife, causing her to miscarry. Terrance then kills his father for the act.
We then find ourselves in the present, with Boxer rushing Lee to the emergency room. He drops her off then vanishes in a dark closet. Meanwhile Doctor Juris is visited by a member of the Hierarchy, who informs him that the death of one of their member, last issue, wasn’t unplanned. However Juris will still have to make a small measure of amends to make things right. Chief Examiner Slate is eavesdropping on the conversation, and we learn that he was responsible for the attack on Lee a few issues back.
Later Boxer goes to visit Lee. He’s full of remorse for his act. Lee informs him that she lost her baby. She then tells him that she doesn’t plan on killing him, but rather on taking the life of the one thing that he cares about, just as he did to her. Shadow Boxer then takes leave.
Lee goes to visit with the student that was caught in the explosion at school. She finds out that the student’s parents have decided not to get a divorce and remain a family as their child convalesces.
Later Boxer goes to speak with Juris. Boxer confesses what he did to Fallen Angel. Juris then shoots him in the chest and explains a bit of history about Bete Noire, his link to the city, and what the loss of that child means to him. Juris then shoots Boxer in the head, and off the balcony.
The issue ends, some months later, with Fallen Angel going to visit Sister Mary Catherine. She the reveals that she didn’t miscarry her child. Lee left Bete Noire when she began to show, and carried the baby to term. Lee then gives the child to the Sister to raise, as a way to keep him out of Bete Noire. Lee, however must return to the city, because it has become a part of her, and she it. Before she leaves she names her son Jude and offers some words of advice. As Sister Mary Catherine watches Lee leave, and ponders the words of advice, she unwraps Jude’s blanket. There on his exposed back, she sees his wings. The End.
Peter David has written a very powerful issue. Boxer’s past and how it ties into the present was tragic. Lee’s face to face with Boxer was equally dramatic. But the two scenes that really stand out are the conversations between Juris and Boxer, and Lee and the Sister. Both are filled with emotion and tension. And both have a definite feel of closure. David continues to write, perhaps, the most satisfying “super hero” comic book on the market.
Lopez and Blanco are equally consistent. They’ve provided the art on every issue of the series thus far, which is a remarkable feat in this day and age. They also manage to capture the tension of the scenes in this book, particularly between Boxer and Lee. And watching Boxer cling desperately to his life, as Juris slowly kills him, is difficult to witness.
