sharkey's Batwing #4 - Better at Terrible Things review

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    • sharkey wrote this review on .
    • 2 out of 2 Comic Vine users found it helpful.
    • sharkey has written a total of 59 reviews. The last one was for To Monsters
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    "Everything You Are Is Because Of Us"

    Synopsis 
      
    The origins of Batwing begin! Just what turned David Zavimbe from a ferocious child soldier to the superhero known as Batwing!

    The Good  
     
    The main bulk of this issue is the flashback of what set David Zavimbe off the route of being a child soldier, and the start of the catalyst that would eventually turn him into Batwing. He and his brother were always pushed to moral limits, but what happens when that line has been crossed? What we get is solid and believable story writing here, and in the context of contemporary African warlords and the cruelty that bestow uponeach, the origin of Batwing fits in just right. We also get to see how David and Matu Ba meet for the first time as well, what will in time start to begin a wonderful friendship.
     
    The Bad  
     
    What happened to the art? In this issue, Ben Oliver (just cover artist this month) has been replaced for the internal pages and the issue suffers for it. I'll be blunt, the art ranges from average (first couple of pages) to mediocre (Isaac Zavimbe when he is broken and bloody looks just plain stupid). This may just be for one issue (Ben Oliver is solicited to be doing internals again for #5 and 6) but for a series which has been a treat to look at thus far, this month in my opinion has been a grave disappointment. 
     
    We are also witness to the killing of yet another member of the Kingdom - can these ex-superheroes not defend themselves?Another character introduced, another character killed off. I suppose that's why I liked Thunder Strike from the last two issue - at least he fought back.
     
    Conclusion 
     
    This issue suffers from art issues - bring back Ben Oliver! Otherwise, the start of the origin story is pretty sound. I recommend only for those who have followed the series so far.

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