Reviewed by: Mathan “Ewwww!” Erhardt
Story Tile: The Cold Hand of Vengeance!
Written by: David Lapham
Penciled by: Eric Battle
Inked by: Prentis Rollins
Colored by: Guy Major
Lettered by: Pat Brosseau
Editor: Bob Schreck
This tale finds Crispus Allen at the scene of a grisly crime. While the police investigate it, Allen stands by, impotent to aid them in the finding of crucial evidence. And while conducting an investigation of his own he witnesses a situation that quickly turns dangerous. At that moment Allen become the Spectre and he learns the difference between protecting and justice.
The story is a bit too noir-ish for my taste. I know that Lapham is known for crime work, but this story just seems to be too heavy in the “cop” aspect of Allen and not enough in the realm of the Spectre. Though I am really interested in seeing how things progress at Granville Towers.
Artwise everything was cool. This issue features some of the best art in Battle’s career. Rollins’ inks are smoothing, yet not overpowering. The colors really match the dark tone of the story and Battle’s pencils jump from the natural to the supernatural without missing a beat.
Story Tile: Architecture & Mortality
Written by: Brian Azzarello
Penciled & Inked by: Cliff Chiang
Colored by: Patricia Mulvihill
Lettered by: Jared K. Fletcher
Editor: Bob Schreck
Publisher: DC Comics.
The story starts in prehistory with a saber-toothed tiger killing a mammoth while a caveman creates quite a cave painting. From there we find Doctor Thirteen literally traveling through time to rescue a pirate ghost, this despite being a self described skeptic. Then we find ourselves witnessing a couple of Thirteen’s dreams, on of which involves his daughter Traci in a most disturbing fashion.
We then follow Thirteen and Traci to the French Alps where he tries to explain how survivors of a plane crash survived for months. The specifics of the case are puzzling enough for him to get called in to investigate. But during the course of the investigation he and Traci are attacked by a Yeti”¦with a secret.
The story is an engaging one. Azzarrello fills Dr. 13 with dialogue makes you believe that he’s a skeptic who’s seen it all. He’s completely not phased by a charging Yeti and he calmly details how the cannibalized bodies where discovered. He also gives Traci a nice chip on her shoulder. I’m very curious to see how he follows up on the last page reveal.
Chiang’s art is stellar. He really injects emotion into the story though the cynical Thirteen. Whether it’s the fear from waking up from a nightmare or the shock of an off-putting question he renders Thirteen perfectly. But Mulvihill really flexes her muscles with her coloring. This is one of the most beautifully colored stories I’ve seen in a long time. The pages are vibrant, filled with rosy cheeks and stunning sunsets.
