We were given a bit of a treat with Green Hornet and Kato last month and Mark Waid continues to show off some surprises in this throwback series, but is it good?
The Green Hornet #6 (Dynamite Entertainment)
Issue number 5 was pretty sweet. Read our review with some pictures here.
In a lot of ways the Green Hornet is like Batman, only he’s set in an earlier time, technology isn’t as advanced, and the villains he has to take on are ordinary criminals. Okay, that does seem like a lot of differences, but bear with me on this one. The fact is, after reading this issue I kept thinking, “damn, would this have been a cool story arc for Batman.” Would Batman have made it better? No, but there would have been a hell of a lot more readers enjoying it. That’s why I’m here though, to let you know what is good and what isn’t, and let me tell you: the concept that runs through this book is a solid one.
When the cops are in on the take…you’re screwed.
The issue opens with some criminals taking part in a bit of a scam at the cost of the lives of their goons. They’re a bit too connected for the Green Hornet to take down just yet though, and then we get into the real meat of what this issue is all about. You see, the Green Hornet is actually taking money from criminals to be their protection. Protection from what? From him and Kato! It’s all a ploy though, to keep tabs on the bad guys and also create a sense of power and control in the underworld. Yeah, it’s a bit immoral, but it’s a neat concept that gets played up quite well here.
Ouch.
The issue comes to a head with Hornet and the opening bad guys coming to a resolution of sorts, but it spells bad news for Hornet. Can he take an innocent life to continue his appearances as a crime lord? It’s a tantalizing concept to say the least.
The art by Ronilson Frere continues to fit the title well. The time and place is never in doubt, and the action clear and atmospheric. There’s a bold use of ink to give everything a darker feel, but that’s come to be expected from a book dealing with underworld crime drama.
No need to be rude!
8.5
- Compelling plot
- When does the hero become the villain from their actions?
- Art is a little too dark
Is It Good?
The strength of this issue rides on the plot with some interesting choices the heroes must make. What we have is a compelling argument for heroes acting like criminals for the greater good. That’s a compelling concept that, if continued at this high level, should pay off down the line.
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