Strange Adventures #4
DC Comics/Black Label
Written by: Tom King
Art and Color by: Mitch Gerads & Evan Shaner
Letters by: Clayton Cowles
Now that Mr. Terrific is on his way to Rann to learn firsthand what happened, we are treated to a flashback to one of the darker days of the Rann Pykkt war. With everything unfurling, we are shown a glimpse of a more sinister story then is told to us.
This issue tackles two aspects of the war in an interesting way. One is with Adam Strange dealing with not being able to fight and the other is Mr. Terrific trying to figure out how true the victor’s view on history is. Splitting up the story to tackle this common aspect of what truly happened is unique.
Tom King is able to craft two stories and not have anything feel out of place. Using both periods to tell a story with one central theme is not done easily. With the side characters help pushing the narrative it allows the reader to see the struggle that Adam is dealing with being absent. Along with Mr Terrific trying to understand the secrets being hidden from him. Yet all of those questions lead to one question with no answers yet.
Gerads and Shaner tandem is brilliant in this issue. We see two different art styles and stories being told and yet the theme and direction points to the same conclusion. Each artist keeps their own style intact and yet they blend it beautifully together. The art in this series has kept a high standard and they do not dip below the bar they set.
Ther series overall, is a slow unraveling of whodunit without knowing the who or what part. We know Aleea Strange is the main focal point to both stories’ conclusion. This issue is that we got nowhere near to the answer but a lot more questions on what truly happened.