DC Universe Presents: James Robinson, Bernard Chang, Steve Wands, Ryan Sook

We start the issue looking back for a moment. Kass is a young girl, and she comes home to find her mom watching the news…the news announcing that her father, Jonathan Savage, killed a ton of people and fled…before killing even more people.

We get this really cool “cut” to the present from one panel to the next, showing Kass all grown up now. That’s what I love about this arc, is how cinematic it feels. Last ish too. It exudes this je ne sais pas that makes me feel like I’m watching a film instead of reading a comic. I credit both Robinson and Chang for that in their brilliant writing/layouts. I think they work very well together.

So Kass is taking her father to track down his copycat. They follow the trail, and meanwhile we learn how and why Vandal was sacrificing his victims. Well, the how we kind of already knew…the ancient gods from the beginning of time. I wonder if this is going to get Lovecraftian with Eldritch Gods and Ancient Ones. I love how Savage demands a sextant. He’s one of the funniest characters in the New 52. Kind of makes me regret never checking him out preboot.

It also turns out that the copycat guy is a real “savage” himself. A murderous monster. He starts hunting Kass and her agents. Things don’t go so well. I’m bummed that there’s only one issue left.

DC Universe Presents #10, the verdict: So I really like this story, and I really wish we had a Vandal Savage ongoing - I mean other than Demon Knights. Something that maybe focuses on the relationship between him and his daughter. Or maybe a series that shows him throughout the years…centuries…. That’d be nice.

(Photo Source: iFanyBoy)