“Four Feet Under”
Writers: Marc Andreyko
Artists: Jesus Saiz(p), Jimmy Palmiotti(i), Steve Buccellato(c)
Publisher: DC
More likely known as the one where the Justice League stop by to visit, this issue of Manhunter goes beyond the promise of the cover. First, the Justice League are not like the Justice League from the post-Morrison pre-Byrne and Claremont comic book runs. They act as if they had just stepped out of the Cartoon Network's Justice League or a darker version of The Super-Friends. The reader is better for it.
As you read the dialogue from the guest stars you can hear Carl Lumbly and Phil LaMarr speaking as the Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern, respectively. Hawkman is in the Justice League not the JSA, and he almost seems as sane as the Katar Hol from the Silver Age. Vixen also happens to be in the League, and Vixen hasn't been in the League for years--which do not count anyway. Regardless, Marc Andreyko's talent, Jesus Saiz's understanding of anatomy and Jimmy Palmiotti's superb depth enhancing inks make their presence cool. Vixen though needs to remember that she was a fashion designer before she became a super-hero. Her unimaginative outfit makes her look like a chauffeur that fell into a vat of blue berries. It also strikes me as a little too coincidental that Kate and Vixen would be wearing the same shade of purple. Buccellato atones for this faux pas through the superb shade of red chosen for Manhunter's uniform which particularly stands out during night scenes while still allowing for "stealth."
Kate's reaction to the Justice League strengthens the themes in Manhunter. Andreyko contrasts what Kate says to what she narrates. Clearly she is as "star struck" as her assistant when the League make their presence known. Saiz comes up with perfect expression to match her dialogue during this scene. It's not too over the top or too gushing. It's a superb rendition of characteristic surprise from a very cool customer, and she doesn't overplay her secret identity. She does not pretend to hate heroes. She does not reveal her love for them. As a prosecuting attorney she shows the proper amount of respect. Kate as Manhunter though rightly fears the complications the League promise, but because a door to her thoughts is open to the readers, her enamoration of the League emanates from the pages.
The League visit Kate as a courtesy, and through their visit Andreyko gives the reader a glimpse of League protocols. I don't think I have ever seen the League visit a law enforcement establishment just to let them know that they are in town hunting for, in this case, the killer of the Ronnie Raymond Firestorm. With just this sidebar, Andreyko adds a nuance of realism to the League and their operations.
Manhunter is also hunting the Shadow Thief, and this issue serves as the wonderfully nostalgic rematch of hero against villain. The villain just beat her last issue, and Kate through her tech-guy Dylan evens the odds with a souped up battle suit designed specifically to take down the Shadow Thief. Andreyko's use of an old western set ala' Columbo as Kate's defacto Danger Room simultaneously grounds the series in realism and has some fun with the environment provided by Hollywood.
Kate's want to kill the Shadow Thief leads to an exciting, page-turning battle against her current nemesis, and this time Andreyko turns the tables on the old cliche of the cavalry coming to the rescue. Manhunter does not need rescued. The Shadow Thief needs rescued.
Those fearing the tie-in to Identity Crisis can rest assured that Manhunter does not like Metzler's series denigrate super-heroes. It celebrates them. In fact the only tie-in to Identity Crisis is the mention of Firestorm's death and the Shadow Thief's culpability. After reading about it, I have to ask why on earth the Shadow Thief was picked to carry out the crime since he's not known for "impaling" and "exploding" people. Can't blame Andreyko for that though. He's just trying to find the silver from pig-droppings.
Every time I read about Manhunter in the press releases I always bump into the phrase "dark." Frankly, I can't see it. When compared to about eighty percent of the dreck on the racks, Manhunter is delightful and refreshing. Kate Spencer is a likeable hero, and her goals are optimistic in that she wishes to make the world a safer place not just for ordinary folk but also for the super-hero community. Bonus points for Kate only about to smoke one cigarette for the entire issue.
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