By: Dan Abnett & Andy Lanning (writers), Fernando Dagnino (artist) Santi Arcas (colorist)
The Story: He takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’.
The Review: If you want to give such a character another try at the popular market, it’s worth examining their core concept to see what made them a cult hit the first time around. You won’t have too difficult a time recognizing the macabre appeal of Resurrection Man. We often joke about death being no great obstacle in the world of comics, but the entire basis of R. Man’s powers and actions spring from his rising from the dead.
While the idea on paper sounds a little tongue-in-cheek, DnA, R. Man’s creators, manage to portray the concept in credibly tense fashion. Right from the start we get to see his powers in action as he awakens on a morgue’s gurney and proceeds to sneak out, acquire some clothes and funds, and assess the skill set he comes back with this time. He does all this with the systematic nonchalance of a veteran, which rings home just how often he’s had to repeat this process.
Of course, you have the big two questions: how and why? While the “how” remains mostly a mystery, we get a couple intriguing clues as to the reason for his being. Upon each revival, he has “a new…thing that I just have to do. A gut feeling I can’t ignore.” Your first instinct may lean towards the theory that a higher power guides him, but then you have to wonder: which higher power? From the looks of things, both the guys “upstairs” and “the basement office” want R. Man’s soul. So if he’s being compelled to act, who’s responsible for the compulsion?
Like many of the “Dark” titles, this issue doesn’t hesitate to offer some food for thought along with the action. DnA set up the story so we get a very intimate look at a few of the individuals R. Man’s meant to encounter and presumably help. When the rug ultimately gets pulled out from under us, the tragedy of the scene really comes through, its hopelessness emphasized by his flight companion, who informs him that the people’s fates had already been sealed, making you wonder if R. Man’s being brought back time and again for a purpose or as a cruel joke.
In the meantime, he also has to worry about a couple of sadistic bimbos on his tail, the bodacious Body Doubles, campy assassins extraordinaire. Though they get only a couple pages to themselves, they nearly steal the issue with their highly entertaining style of interrogation, using shameless ditziness (“It’s totally not you, Carmen… This guy is just such a doofus. He’s so not cooperating.”) as a thin cover for their total ruthlessness (“This time, let’s not gag him.”)
Dagnino gives us some pretty stellar art, giving each character (even the flight passengers who, elaborate backgrounds notwithstanding, turn out to be glorified extras) a convincing, unique design. His perspective gets a little off at times, like Bonny Hoffman somehow looking as if her curvaceous body is leaning up against, behind, and in front of the bound mortician, all at the same time. Mostly, the issue’s a lovely thing to behold, especially with Arcas’ earthy, Vertigo-inspired colors.
Conclusion: At once interesting to read and beautiful to look at, the issue doesn’t give our lead much time to show his personality, nor does it establish a clear direction for the title, but it’s quite nearly there.
Grade: B
– Minhquan Nguyen
Some Musings: – Madame Xanadu sure has struck it big in the new DCU: starring roles in Demon Knights and Justice League Dark, a feature spot in this title, and no doubt a few more in the future. When it rains, it pours, I guess.
– Also, I know that last page is just a teaser gimmick, but I still find Madame X’s draw of “Resurrection Man” as part of her Tarot deck annoyingly cheesy.
Grade
Conclusion