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