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No man escapes the Manhunter.  Even if the Manhunter is a woman now.

I have never read a comic as tenacious as DC’s Manhunter.  Having been on the chopping block twice already, the Manhunter team does not just personify the little engine that could; they chained it to their backs and dragged it up hill all the way!  In a publishing world where sales are everything and cancellation rarely translates into a new chance for some time, I am astonished to see DC give into the demands of the fans and keep a book on the stand that they might normally get the axe.

Manhunter tells the tale of gifted federal prosecutor Kate Spencer; a woman who so fed up with the justice system she plays a role in, that she breaks into an evidence locker and steals weaponry to hunt down the criminal Copperhead whom she failed to prosecute to a guilty verdict.  Thus begins the new Manhunter’s career.  Trying to juggle her career, home life and the menagerie of super-villains that start to appear in her life, Kate runs right into the legacy of the Manhunter as well as her own unknown DCU legacy. 

Issue #31 picks up after a little break and eases newcomers into the book with a quick 2-page recap. Bravo for that.  Concisely done and covering all the major plot points, it leaves you wanting to get the trades while understanding enough to keep reading.  The issue than moves into Manhunter pummeling the Atomic Skull who happens to be out of his mind for an actress and rampaging through LA to be with her.  The main thrust of the book comes from when Kate’s assistant tells her of his missing cousin in Juarez, Mexico and she finds out enough information to have Obsidian borrow a JSA helicopter and leap into trouble.  Literally. I think I get some sort of sick pleasure that this woman shows no ability to be graceful at all.  I find that one of the major draws.  Marc Andreyko writes Kate Spencer very real.  Her reactions to the most ridiculous situations, while still some belief needs suspending, do not come across unreal or forced.  Manhunter kills. Manhunter hurts villains.  She does what it takes to stop the loonies in the DCU that have invaded her life.  As serious as the book can be, the humor shines through. The whole bit with Atomic Skull in the beginning, while I think may actually meant to be a bit of sarcasm, screams ‘this really is how Hollywood react to a man with a flaming skull for a head.’  Andreyko does well with all the characters in Manhunter.  The plethora of supporting cast really gives the book a feeling of fullness. The interconnected depth between the characters and Kate runs deep and gives great use to some underutilized DCU talent.

Michael Gaydos’ art in Manhunter completely slides into place for the style of the book.  It seems to evoke a gritty, low light picture that Jose Villarrubia works well with in his coloring.  It makes the ‘lighting’ and glam of Hollywood really stand out in the beginning and the stark, lifeless darkness of the Mexican desert more prominent. My only complaint would be the lack of emotional movement in the faces at times.  They can seem stoic from panel to panel.  I do not find this to be to jarring to take you out of the experience of the book though.

Manhunter works.  While not as showy as some of the superhero brethren it shares the shelf with, Manhunter proves to be every bit as enjoyable.  I like the idea of finding the human side of the nuttiness that comes with super heroes and their villains in the DCU.  If you like well-written stories, with a good connection the DCU and without the massive back-story required to understand, you would probably enjoy Manhunter.

Manhunter #31
“Forgotten” part 1
Writer: Marc Andreyko
Artist: Michael Gaydos
Colorist: Jose Villarrubia
Letterer: Sal Cipriano

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