Manhunter vol 2: Trial By Fire

Mr Wallstreet · Post by **Mr Wallstreet** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 4:58 pm

Another great story.

As the series progresses, Andreyko is continuing to build Kate's character and belief system in intriguing ways. Originally Kate was a Federal prosecutor who got fed up with criminals getting away with murder and took matters into her own hands and became what we rarely see in mainstream comics: a vigilante who kills.

Then Andreyko introduced a great twist. He didn't have Kate throw away her belief in the Justice system entirely, nor did he have her use it as nothing more than a means to an end. If a criminal got away and was re-captured and sent to trial, Kate gave the Justice system another honest chance. She would try the case fairly and legitimately and try to win. If, failing that, the criminal walked - then she would go out and kill him. A great change of pace.

Along with the primary stories Andreyko has also introduced the annoying and dickish tabloid reporter hounding Kate's heels and trying to dig up dirt; all the while Kate is oblivious to his snooping. This along with the character stalking her family claiming to be Kate's father makes for a great mystery as well.

And to top it off, Jesus Siaz's art is wonderful. It's bright and fun but with a definite hard edge to it.

I would recommend the Manhunter series to everyone. It's a great change from traditional super heroes and super hero stories. The protagonist isn't a raging psychopath, nor is she a blind-to-her-cause crusader of justice.

Go read it

Tragic Angelus · Post by **Tragic Angelus** » Sun Apr 05, 2009 6:24 pm

Glad you enjoyed this!! This book really was a great read through and through, and it continues to get better and build its own continuity as it goes along, weaving itself into the DCUniverse and history.

Have you already tracked down Vol. 3?

Mr Wallstreet · Post by **Mr Wallstreet** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 9:24 am

Yea, I've already got vol 3 but I probably won't get around to reading it until maybe this weekend.

I've already developed a strong hatred for the reporter thats been digging in on Kate's private life. I really hope he gets his comeuppance.

The fight scene between Manhunter, Monocle and the other guy was very well done, culminating in blowing up Monocle's head. The battle with Chesire was hardcore. She ripped that psycho's claws clean off. Very bloody and very nice.

The follow-up story involving the Manhunter murders was also good but not great. What ruined a great story was the confusing nature the Manhunter history. The origin of the Manhunter was fairly straight forward until it got to the part with the clones and the brainwashing. I think by now it has been established that clones ruin everything - I don't mean they ruin a character's life that provides for interesting stories. They just ruin a perfectly good story. What further complicated things was the involvement of the OMACS, the government, Mark Shaw's brainwashing and double personality. I had to read that damn origin 2 times to get everything straight.

The confusing origin story notwithstanding, I still enjoyed most of vol 2 and eagerly await vol 3.

Tragic Angelus · Post by **Tragic Angelus** » Mon Apr 06, 2009 1:33 pm

Yea, the Manhunter origins and murder story is rather convulting, and was really the only part of the seires that ever threw me off, but still I'm glad you enjoyed the book. Let me know what you think of Vol. 3 as well!

Stocky Boy · Post by **Stocky Boy** » Wed Apr 15, 2009 12:54 pm

Quite liked vol 2.

Will be some time before I read the next two volumes though. They're back logged behind things like Criminal vol 4.