Manhunter vol 1: Street Justice
Posted: Sun Mar 22, 2009 4:29 pm
An intriguing premise coupled with a compelling character. This was a great a read.
What makes this character so fascinating is that its not a sad attempt by DC to just try and create a pale imitation of The Punisher and cash in on his success (25 years too late); it's a genuine attempt at creating something different that can stand on its own two feet. For example, unlike the vast majority of heroes/heroines out there, Kate Spencer isn't doing the hero thing because of some personal tragedy. She's not like the dime-a-dozen heroes out there who have some personal connection to a villain - which ultimately led to them donning a pair of spandex. Similarly, she's not doing it for cheap thrills. Spencer is doing the hero thing for purely practical reasons. Her rationale is that the law has failed one too many times and the super villains who get away will kill again unless something is done to prevent it. Enter Manhunter.
Additionally, what makes Kate Spencer so much more appealing is the contradictory nature of...well just about everything about her. She's a lawyer who is a vigilante; a vigilante who kills, a mother and a divorce with a filthy smoking habit who spends more time at her job than with her son - with whom she can barely communicate with.
She's not some stone cold sociopath like Frank Castle who only lives for the mission (not that, that diminishes Castle's character - just that its a marked difference and shows Andreykeyo didn't cop out and make her into a female version of Castle). Spencer has a entire life of her own - admittedly one that is falling apart (atleast socially) but all this sets her apart from so many other heroes.
And Manhunter doesn't dress like a super-whore to boot.
I give this book 3 out of 4 stars. I would highly recommend Manhunter to other people. It's intriguing, entertaining, different and a huge breath of fresh air.
Big kudos to Tragic Angelus for recommending this to me.
What makes this character so fascinating is that its not a sad attempt by DC to just try and create a pale imitation of The Punisher and cash in on his success (25 years too late); it's a genuine attempt at creating something different that can stand on its own two feet. For example, unlike the vast majority of heroes/heroines out there, Kate Spencer isn't doing the hero thing because of some personal tragedy. She's not like the dime-a-dozen heroes out there who have some personal connection to a villain - which ultimately led to them donning a pair of spandex. Similarly, she's not doing it for cheap thrills. Spencer is doing the hero thing for purely practical reasons. Her rationale is that the law has failed one too many times and the super villains who get away will kill again unless something is done to prevent it. Enter Manhunter.
Additionally, what makes Kate Spencer so much more appealing is the contradictory nature of...well just about everything about her. She's a lawyer who is a vigilante; a vigilante who kills, a mother and a divorce with a filthy smoking habit who spends more time at her job than with her son - with whom she can barely communicate with.
She's not some stone cold sociopath like Frank Castle who only lives for the mission (not that, that diminishes Castle's character - just that its a marked difference and shows Andreykeyo didn't cop out and make her into a female version of Castle). Spencer has a entire life of her own - admittedly one that is falling apart (atleast socially) but all this sets her apart from so many other heroes.
And Manhunter doesn't dress like a super-whore to boot.
I give this book 3 out of 4 stars. I would highly recommend Manhunter to other people. It's intriguing, entertaining, different and a huge breath of fresh air.
Big kudos to Tragic Angelus for recommending this to me.
