Animal Man Annual #2 Review

Travel Foreman rejoins the Animal Man man Jeff Lemire for a disturbingly creepy yet emotionally powerful tale that shows all the other guys how an Annual ought to be done. While this story does tie into recent events, it’s virtually a standalone as we get a complete arc with humor and heart, twists and turns. Yes, this costs $4.99, but believe me when I say it’s worth every penny.

Animal Man as a series has been great because it constantly diverts from your standard superhero experience, which most of the time it owes to its horror elements. The horror is huge here the second the Spider Queen is revealed. Foreman delivers page after page of imagery that just gets under your skin, and the design for the Spider Queen herself with her freaky face and swollen pregnant belly is just haunting.

Reading this story reminded me of Daredevil #17 by Mark Waid and Mike Allred, and when you get to the end you’ll know just why. Just like that tale, Lemire and Foreman take their time telling a certain kind of story before turning around and gut-punching you in the feels. The loss of Cliff has been hanging heavy on Animal Man, and Lemire explores the depth of grief a parent can experience at the loss of a child.

And while this issue is heavy in a lot of ways, you still have to hand it to Lemire for coming up with the best super villain name I have heard in years: Biowulf.

Joshua writes for IGN. If Pokemon, Game of Thrones, or Green Lantern are frequently used words in your vocabulary, then you’ll want to follow him on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com