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

Brilliant. I’m so incredibly happy with this arc of DC Universe Presents. Kass has been kidnapped by this monster who’s been copying Savage. The secret to his purpose is a bit surprising, and it creates a really, really compelling issue.

The killer is Steven Ward, child of FBI agent Adam Ward, the man who figured out Savage was the original killed. The issue begins much like last issue - where Kass gets out of school and goes home to find her dad’s in trouble. Steve gets out of school, goes home, and discovers his father’s been killed by Savage. The similarity of the two beginnings is very well done.

As Kass and Steve talk about his true motives, and his level of actual guilt, we get flashbacks of Kass playing with her dad as a girl. Is this her life flashing before her eyes? Or is she starting to see the man behind the monster? Starting to appreciate the time she had with him before she knew about all the madness?

When Savage shows up, the epic fight begins. I honestly thought Savage would tear Ward in half, but he holds his own. Savage’s amazing sense of humor comes through as he takes on Ward, slamming his father, whom Ward idolized. Savage starts talking to Ward about doing good, instead of what he did, which shows that Savage DOES know the meaning of doing right and everything. I like that about Savage, that he’s not just a mindless psychopath. In fact, he’s completely rational and sane. He just does things differently because he’s out-of-time.

Chang’s art seems a little different in this issue than last. Somehow harsher. Maybe I’m crazy, but the Ward guy looks like he has even higher contrast in his face coloring and everything. It’s still good art though. I loved the fight between Savage and Ward. Despite the brief scuffle in issue #9, this is the biggest bit of action the entire arc sees, and it’s VERY well drawn, and it’s colored beautifully. Definitely worth the wait.

DC Universe Presents #11, the verdict: I loved this arc. It was well-written, and well-drawn. It had a great story that centered around a notorious character and his angry daughter. I love how they both were so similar, yet so different. Their interaction was wonderful to read. The villain had real motivation, and he even tried to convince himself of his own innocence. It felt realistic. It felt complete. Compared with the last DC Universe Presents arc, this one excels so far beyond, and I wish we could get more consistently fantastic issues like these.

(Photo Source: Evil News Daily)