"Psychobabble"
Writer: Marc Andreyko
Artists: Javier Pina(p), Fernando Blanco,(i) Steve Buccellato(c)
Publisher: DC
It's one year later, and my favorite DC book is still Manhunter. Somebody else may be wearing Batman's costume. Who the hell knows what's going on with Aquaman and Superman? All that matters to me is that Kate Spencer is still the baddest, most effective super hero in the DCU.
One year ago, Kate took the job offered by Director Bones of the DEO. Marc Andreyko follows the momentum of that plot development to reasonable complications that force Kate to act as defense attorney for Dr. Psycho. However, one should not be mistaken. Manhunter still stalks criminals. She does not kill any miscreants this issue, but these particular screwballs do not deserve execution. Killing them would have just been mean.
Andreyko satisfies the requirements of the One Year Later ballyhoo with the supporting cast. For instance, he actually makes Obsidian a potent, likeable figure, something the character hasn't been since his tiny blip of a stay in the Justice League. If I were a gay man, I'd also be happy that a comic book author fostered a non-cliché gay hero that's cool rather than fabulous or worse hollow. The greatest change in characterization occurs with Cameron Chase. She provides the "what the hell" scenario and quite a bit of witty reflection from Kate that sounds so wonderfully natural. It sounds exactly how friends talk and think about other friends.
Javier Pina and Fernando Blanco with Steve Buccelato once again address Andreyko's thirst for good old-fashioned super-hero action. In their hands, Kate is a sinewy red predator blasting across the night sky and conducting a short violent gymnastic routine on the rooftops. Year Onecannot stop the deification of Manhunter.
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