Comic Book Review: Green Hornet #6

Book Information
Written by Kevin Smith
Breakdowns by Phil Hester
Pencils by Jonathan Lau
Colors by Ivan Nunes
Letters by Troy Peteri
Cover by Alex Ross

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion
What I really need to do is lend these first six issues of Kevin Smith’s Green Hornet to my mom and ask if it compares to the Green Hornet of her childhood. The Green Hornet was one of the many super heroes of my mother’s childhood that I seem to recall her enjoying more than the others. I want to know her opinion because it would blow my mind to hear that Smith’s new interpretation of the classic hero is not as good as the one she grew up with. Smith is blowing this title out of the water; sure it’s predictable, but boy is it fun!

Much like anyone who discovers something fantastic about themselves, our hero decides to embrace this “calling” and run with it. But much like a child who’s just found the keys to the candy store, Britt Reid also goes a little haywire in trying to create his own image of his father’s legacy. As he goes through costume after costume in a series of hilarious criminal interventions, one of which almost fails, Reid decides the best course of action is to keep it old school and sport the green jacket, black Dockers, and detective’s hat. It was a fun way to induct Young Mr. Reid into the Green Hornet persona, but it also allows readers to understand that Kevin Smith isn’t trying to change anything; he’s merely giving it a new character twist while staying true to the hero fans know and love.

Jonathan Lau, again, presents panel after panel perfection with vivid and lively art that emotes both character and livelihood. The wide range of emotions he is able to put into his characters faces is a skill I wish I could master to the level of Mr. Lau. And of course, this is all only enhanced by the great Ivan Nunes who has an uncanny ability to recall the classic “speed lines” style and enhance it to meet a more mature and diverse artistic audience.

And finally, let’s give a warm round of applause to the legendary Alex Ross who never ceases to amaze me in the amount of detail he puts into every piece of art work he does. The cover is not only one of the most artistic of the year so far, it’s clever as well. Keeping the hero in context of his character, Ross allows Mr. Reid the liberty of tipping his hat to us in this seductively sexy scene. While I’m not sure how it connects to the story within, it is definitely a site to see.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion
“Hey mom! Check this out? Does it compare?”

Ratings
Writing: 10
Themes: 10
Art: 10
Overall: 10 out of 10

Comic Book Review: Green Hornet #2

Book Information

Written by Kevin Smith

Art by Jonathan Lau

Plot

With escalating embarrassment that Britt Reid has to endure due to his son’s careless display of public indecency, he must now host a fund-raiser to boost the low economic status of his newspaper publishing company.  Emotions with Mr. Reid’s family are running high, so an attack on the party guests by a mysterious group of vigilantes was the last thing he needed.  Luckily, a subtly seductive and quiet Asian-American female was at the fund-raiser, who also seems to be a master of martial arts.  I wonder who it could be…

My Thoughts

I assumed that the high price of last month’s issue of the Green Hornet was due to it being the very first issue; apparently that isn’t the case with the 2^nd installment.  Despite the $4 price tag, I took the book off the rack at Haley’s Comics and wondered if my sanity had left me.  However, the writing, artwork, drama and comedic stature is worth the price of admission.

This issue delves into the relationship between father and son and approaches the old saying “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.”  The inevitable ending to this entire series is obviously moving towards that very thing, but it will take a few more issues for that to be realized.  What is established in this issue however is how the relationship between the two Reids, full of both resentment and care.  Britt Reid Jr., feels as if he constantly lives in the shadow of his father, which leads to his confused state of mind, which leads Britt in taking his anger out on his father; where as Reid Sr. waits for the day when he and his son can have an enjoyable time together that doesn’t become a shouting match.  Reid Jr. goes into some further character development as he defends his father’s honor at the fund raising party.  Seeing as how this Kevin Smith branded script was intended for the big screen anyway, there is a lot of time spent on the characters rather than the action and adventure, but it doesn’t linger on unnecessary dialogue and plot development.

The second half of the book is a little less hefty on conversations between characters and focuses its efforts on kicking, jumping, punching and throwing, which is great!  Kevin Smith got all the story driven aspects out of the way and now takes advantage of his hot new Asian woman knocking out assassins without breaking a sweat…all in high heels nonetheless.  Jonathan Lau takes it a step further with the artistic approach from issue #1, showing off his ability to create incredible action sequences and stunning visuals.  The trails of air and dust from Kato’s cat-like body was a nice added touch, giving the affect of movement at a fast pace and keeping the momentum going.  Along with that, the chaotic moments where people are crashing through glass, breaking helmets, and pummeling through the floor from being thrown downward was amazingly impressive.

This new Kato (We aren’t dummies, we know it’s Kato’s daughter.) seems to be even more kick ass than her father.  I of course am not as familiar with the Green Hornet from my parent’s days, but from what I’ve heard, the Kato of Kevin Smith’s world could probably give her father a run for his money.  I was equally impressed by the moment of nostalgia when Brit Reid Sr. recognized the hornet darts that came from the throwing hands of the mysterious female, as the entire panel went to a green tint.

The attention to those details is truly an inspirational aspect to the book and I can’t wait to see what is in store for us in issue #3.  I hear there will be a significant death huh?

Overall

I am a huge fan of nostalgic storylines that are based in the classic and pulp-like days of old.  In the tradition of characters like The Spirit, The Phantom Stranger, and The Phantom, The Green Hornet displays a lot of potential at being one of the best “underdog” comic book events of the year.  Even with the predictable plot line, the story is exceptionally well written and the art is just as good.  Kevin Smith, Jonathan Lau, you are incredible!

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars

Next Issue

In comic books, it's hard to say that anyone ever truly dies; not sidekicks, not arch-nemeses, and not potentially profitable screenplays with high-profile creative reinterpretations. But in the third issue of Kevin Smith's upcoming "Green Hornet" comic, Dynamite Entertainment has announced that one main character will "die forever": The original Green Hornet, Britt Reid, his son Britt Jr., the original Kato, or his daughter, the current Kato.