When Local Man was first announced, Tim Seeley described what he and co-writer/artist/creator Tony Fleecs were aiming for: “It’s a story about love and loss, and ego, and murder most foul. But it’s also about nostalgia, and promises not fulfilled—with lots of gritted teeth, and epic head punches.” The comic has lived up to Seeley’s initial words, as it’s served as both a love letter to the beginning of Image Comics and a story about how its protagonist didn’t fully live up to his potential. But Local Man #13 finally unlocks his potential, and a few surprises along the way.
Jack Xaver finally comes face to face with the leader of the Faceless Hordes, who’ve taken over his hometown of Farmington. But there’s been more than a few bumps in the road. He learned that his dad may have died due to the machinations of his ex-girlfriend. The entire town hates him (more so than usual due to the cult factor.) And his own mother has been swept into the Horde, leading Jack to a final fight full of twists and surprises.
I’m not joking about that last part. Previous issues have hinted at the presence of other Image characters, or even outright brought them into the fold (see last issue’s surprise appearance of Shadowhawk), but Local Man #13 takes it up a notch. I won’t spoil what characters are homaged/referenced, but it shows how much love Fleecs and Seeley have for Image’s history – and how they are able to use that to take their story into new and exciting paths.
I also love that the duo continues to tackle the question of potential, especially when it comes to Jack. In an emotional conversation with his mother, he discusses how he feels like he hasn’t lived up to the man he thought he could be, or that everyone expected from him. It even bleeds into his final confrontation with the villain. “I spent years living in the past,” Jack declares. “The past isn’t there anymore.” This could double as a mission statement for Local Man itself; Fleecs and Seeley could have easily leaned on nostalgia as a selling point but instead they show how our pasts can shape or destroy us, if we choose to let them.
As if the writing wasn’t enough, the art also remains sharp. Fleecs’ more grounded style clashes with panels that reflect Seeley’s ’90’s era style, including a trippy homage to a long forgotten Image series.
I will say that the backup for Local Man #13 didn’t hit as hard as I wanted it to – while Air Raider makes some great points about how Black superheroes usually get treated, this backup didn’t really tie into the main plot like others have. Still, Local Man #13 ends on a strong note while teasing a future that has me aching for the next issue.
Local Man #13 is available wherever comics are sold.
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