20 years after Buddy Baker first became Animal Man, a new threat arrives in the form of BloodRage!
This story doesn't quite feel like a near future tale any more than it does a current tale, save for the moderately accelerated technology and the levee in San Diego that serves as a major plot point. It does, however, read quite well, and would be approachable to any reader who may only know Buddy from his appearances in "52" or more recently in "Justice League of America.". Future tale or not, this is an enjoyable story, providing the aging fanbase with a relatable hero, going through some of life's more taxing changes. Read Full Review
The Last Days of Animal Man has no surprises to offer at this point, but the first issue is a solid effort that should appeal to fans of the character. It's probably too much that Buddy will be breaking the fourth wall or anything, but it'll be interesting to see if Conway has something more up his sleeve. Read Full Review
The point of Conway's plot isn't difficult to discern, but fortunately, it's not painfully obvious either. The writer is using the loss/fading/unreliability of the title character's powers as a way to explore natural human insecurities about aging. Conway is in his 50s now, and that he'd explore such subject is perfectly understandable. Furthermore, with the stunt-scene conflict, he may also be commenting on headaches he's encountered or witnessed when working in TV. They say one is meant to write what one knows, and it would appear Conway's doing just that. The story, despite its many fantastic elements, is grounded and has a certain genuine quality. Read Full Review
In fact, things are set up for better payoffs in the future, if only Conway can lose the lame-o Bloodrage and take the power failure arc somewhere interesting. IE, I dont see Buddy developing mystical powers now that his animal ones are wonky (as Storm did in the Belasco alternate future in X-men) or starting to steal human powers like Rogue or as Vixen recently did. And thats just fine; Ill keep buying just for the Brian Bolland covers. Read Full Review
It's good to see Gerry conway back in the business (with Len Wein on JLA and a recent mini by Cary Bates, it's apparently old home week at the new DC) and Chris Batista's art is excellent, but this issue does littleto make me want to spend 3 or 4 bucks a month to seehow the whole thing ends. Read Full Review
Just the starting off point for an analysis of the stages of grief that is no often touched upon in superhero comicbooks.
One of those cases where the "professional" critics miss the point.
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