Manhunter is a crime story book. Manhunter is a superhero book. Manhunter is a book about relationships. Manhunter is about social issues. Manhunter is badass! Manhunter is all of those but none of those. I think Marc Andreyko got his hands on that mysterious kitchen appliance that only a secret society of elite authors is allowed to buy. The Genre Blender!

While most of this arc has had one foot mostly in "crime" and the other mostly in "superhero" with a stray toe dipped in other waters as well, this issue is a straight up romp! Action is the word of the day and Marc doesn't hold back! From innocent civilians using cacti as clubs against super powered thugs to Kate Spencer slashing villainous shin flesh while quipping innuendo, this book is all fun through and through. But you know what's great? The story continues to be propelled forward despite all the punching and kicking and the blowing the head off of a Doomsday knock off. The undercover Suicide Squad gets found out. Ramsey gets his character progression moment (incidentally it's extremely refreshing to read a kid who acts like a kid) and the Joker subplot is goaded a little further still.

The art is handled by two different artists. I compared the pages that each artist drew and can notice a slight difference in the line work. If I'm counting the pages correctly Magno's lines are a little more erratic and Gaydos is a tad cleaner. But stylistically it is seamless. The busy super villain mobs feel kinetic but are easy to read. The colors are vivid and moody and the Birds of Prey look sexy without being objectified.

If you're not reading this title, please give it a shot. If this title is not carried by your LCS let them know that Marc has a standing money back guarantee on Manhunter. It's the best title that you're not reading.

---

What did you think of this book?
Have your say at the Line of Fire Forum!

---