THE SILENCER #4
DC Comics
Writer: Dan Abnett
Artists: Viktor Bogdanovic & Mike Spicer
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Release date: 4/25/18
Review by: Vincent Gauvin
In The Silencer #4, we follow Honor as she relives her past in Leviathan and how it leads to the fractured state of Leviathan today. In the present, she prepares for the ioncomingwar between the three factions of Leviathan while attempting to keep her family safe. She really has a lot on her plate and it really doesn’t help that Deathstroke decides to get involved in the mix, past and present.
The Silencer #4 continues the quality that has been set since the beginning of this series. Dan Abnett teams up with a new artist, Viktor Bogdanovic, who replaces John Romita JR. They have great success in crafting the first part of a spy thriller epic that will keep the reader coming back, month in and month out.
John Romita JR. is the credited star of the first three issues and I thought he drew some solid visuals. Before The Silencer #4, I did not know Victor Bogdanovic’s work, so seeing him replace the artistic draw of the series made me skeptical. Two pages in and my skepticism disappears in an instant. Bogdanovic comes in and produces some phenomenal art that captures every emotion and big moment perfectly. His action sequences are astounding in execution, while emotional scenes put you at ease. His panel work is out of this world; the dynamic nature of it during the fight sequences makes them come to life before your eyes. Bogdanovic’s work is cinematic, just like a movie. It also subtly situates you in time, with straight lines representing the present day and thicker broken up lines bringing you back to Honor’s past. It’s these little details that make the difference in art, which Bogdanovic seems to grasp.
Dan Abnett is probably one of my favorite writers at DC, and since the start of this series ,he’s been showcasing why. The first three issue of The Silencer establishes Honor’s character perfectly. She is given clear relatable motivations that make you want to root for her. Honor’s motherly character is lovable: she’s strong and independent, yet fueled by her love for her family. You want her to succeed because you know she can take care of business, but at the same time, you’re on edge because if anything happens to her family, it would be devastating. Abnett creates all these aspects so vividly it’s impressive.
Abnett sets up strong plot elements to make us look forward to her adventures. The past issues gave us over the top action, mixed with wildly entertaining explosive sequences, but this issue we finally get the one thing that was missing: espionage. The flashback sequences make The Silencer #4 read like a spy thriller.
The story raises so many questions. It gives half answers covered in the smoke screen of Talia al Ghul and Honor’s past in Leviathan. We’re building up towards an inevitable war between our protagonist and the various factions of Leviathan. Abnett shrouds every character in secrecy, not giving you any hints as to who to trust. This makes it difficult to know how the whole thing will play out. This issue helps you understand that Honor’s past is somehow linked to her current predicament, but we still don’t know to what extent or how deeply Deathstroke is involved. This series is building slowly towards a big reveal that will probably alter the protagonist’s life forever.
I get a lot of enjoyment from this series and The Silencer #4 simply solidifies that. Great dynamic art mixed with some expert character development and a thrilling spy tale; I can’t ask for more.