Two Heads Are Better — Reviewing ‘Mr. Terrific: Year One’ #4
by Scott Redmond
Overview
One of the best books that DC Comics is putting out somehow gets even better as the origin story takes a big turn for the title character. Everything about this series adds even more evidence to the table that Mr. Terrific very much lives up to his name in every single way.
Overall
10/10Two science bros get to do what they do best with their big brains in order to save two cities. Oh, they also happen to be secretly superheroes, but look at all that brain work.
It’s a science date with history as Bruce Wayne pays a visit to Michael Holt in the truly engaging Mr. Terrific: Year One #4, from Al Letson, Valentine De Landro, Marissa Louise, Edwin Galmon, Lucas Gattoni, and Andworld Design.
This might be at the top of my list for favorite issues of the year.
Michael Holt, or Mr. Terrific (of course), is one of the best characters around. Tons more know that now because of the Superman movie this summer that gave the character one of the best non-comics spotlights he’s ever enjoyed. Letson really not only understands the character but knows how to bring the best out of him on the page.
We’ve been witness to not only his heroic journey but his journey through grief and trying to return to himself. This issue is one of the biggest steps there because the love of science and solving a problem, that will save lives, brings Holt back towards that passionate brilliant man that is his core. This is basically a whole issue of people chatting and doing science, alongside some villainous machinations, and it’s beyond enthralling.
De Landro’s artwork makes this book work so well. It’s so sharp and rough to the touch, with enough softness to balance the human elements at play. It really gives a dense and stark picture of this character and his movement through the world at this point in time. He’s hurting and trying to rebuild, and the tones of the art really play into that fact.
A dynamic kinetic energy is understood to be part and parcel for the action sequences. Artists who are great at what they do can make the smaller more personal moments feel the same way. These so-called “talking head” scenes have just as much power visually as they do script wise. The emotional weight and the overall power is still there and is displayed through the characters and their actions.
Beyond the surface darkness surrounding Holt, there are darker elements at work in this story. Louise taps into them throughout the issue, giving the world a heavier feeling backed by a middle tone of colors that setup the foundation. Somewhat toned-down but more level in their vibrancy, they are the backdrops and surrounding elements. Saving room for flashes of bolder vibrancy when the moment is right, in order to keep the fantastical elements of the story in that fantastic vein.
Similarly, Galmon pulls from a variety of the same spaces as De Landro and Louise. These present day framing devices are smoother and slicker but carry much of the same impactful weights, giving the future a more hopeful while still in trouble feeling compared to the harder past we’re witness to. Galmon’s art really works so smoothly for a hero story and befits the full leading the charge hero that we know Terrific as today.
We get double duty this month on lettering, and honestly I didn’t notice. That’s because Gattoni and Andworld Design team up incredibly well. None of the lettering feeling different from one another in any shape or form. Capturing every voice with authority, power, and precision. Sliding shifting fonts and colors in where they do the most good so that the visual energy remains high on these elements.
Mr. Terrific: Year One #4 is now available from DC Comics.
