DC’s Young Animal 2016
Written by Gerard Way & Jon Rivera
Illustrated by Michael Avon Oeming
Coloured by Nick Filardi
Lettered by Clem Robins
Something is rotten in the subterranean state of Muldroog, the ancestral home of Cave’s wife Eileen (a.k.a. Princess Mazra P’thrall), forcing Cave to step out of adventurer retirement to solve this mystery. To do that, he must to steal a massive piece of mobile technology and recruit an old friend for this mission.
I’m old enough to remember when Cave was considered one of the Forgotten Heroes back in 1983 and thought okay who's this? So I went and found his adventures in back issues and found myself captivated by the prospect of him and his team. So when I heard this was title was coming I got excited and the first issue didn’t disappoint so what about this second issue?
I think what Gerard and Jon are doing is pretty spectacular. I love that someone like Cave can have a career in the DCU and know many major players and still have enough mystery about him that he’s “fresh” again. This issue opens up with the major event that changed Cave’s life and we learn just how he got that Cybernetic Eye. Now he got is is much different than why or what it really does just remember that folks. For now i’m loving the way the guys are pacing this series and how not only the characters are being introduced but the threat against them as well.
This is one of those times that I think Michael’s interiors really are incredibly well suited to the subject matter. He’s got this crazy unique style that seems to just embody everything that is seen in ways that fully engage the reader. The use of page layouts through angels, perspective and backgrounds are wonderfully utilised and help the flow of the story beautifully.
I don’t know whose idea it was to put Wild Dog in this book and whether that decision came before or after he made his debut on Arrow but I have to say his inclusion here is fantastic to see! With his friendship with Cave we see a different side to both men and the writing/dialogue they have is thoroughly enjoyable. That the company Cave used to work for has seemingly turned against him in such a manner is interesting to see as well. Not only that but suddenly his life is even more upside down than before and considering he just lost his wife well that’s saying something.
There’s this fantastic blend of science fiction and modern gritty action that coexist superbly alongside one another. I get the feeling that the guys really understand the history of the character and where he belongs and are keeping that true to who he is while making this a completely modern book at the same time.
This may be one of my favourite new titles to come out of DC in a long time.