The Last Days of Animal Man #1 (which went on sale this week) was a big event in my eyes. One of favorite writers of the bronze age, Gerry Conway, has finally returned to comics! Conway's work on Amazing Spider-Man delivered some key moments in Peter Parker's life that resonated long after he left: the death of Gwen Stacy, the introduction of the Punisher, Spider-Man's clone, and a scene at the end of ASM #122 which revealed Mary Jane was more than just a party girl. Conway's resume is long and accomplished--he wrote the first few issues of Werewolf by Night, wrote Fantastic Four for two years, and later at DC Comics created Firestorm.
The world of comics lost Conway to the world of Hollywood, where's he written for both movies and TV shows (most recently, Law and Order Criminal Intent). He's taken a break and someone at DC Comics had the good sense to engage Conway on Animal Man.
Last Days is set in the near distant future. Buddy Baker still lives in San Diego with his wife Ellen, but he's kids have grown up. Buddy makes his living as a Hollywood stuntman, but as Animal Man, is having problems when connecting to the "morphogenetic field" that gives him his powers. Conway's description of how Buddy taps into the power an animal is poetic: Imagine a thousand voices singing. Now pick out one voice, one single voice. Listen to it. Let the power of that voice fill you, let it become you.
The first issue throws the wrench into Animal Man's life when those voices are become harder for Buddy to hear. His powers are cutting in and out as he's facing a villain called Bloodrage. This appears to be a story about what happens to a hero approaching his golden years. It's a good first act and I enjoyed this issue immensely. I suspect some people will be gunning for Conway as they inevitably compare this to Grant Morrison's classic run. It's clear that Conway has read all of the key Animal Man stories, because he references Morrison's series as well as Buddy's adventures in 52.
Chris Batista does a very nice job on the artwork. He tells the story very clearly in a way that reminds me of Steve Dillon. There's something about the way he draws Animal Man that really reminds me of Bolland's style--perhaps Batista has followed Bolland's design for the costume and those zany goggles.
The upcoming issues of this mini-series are very promising from the advance covers by Brian Bolland. Issue #3 will feature appearances by the other DC heroes as Buddy seeks them out for help.
It's the cover to Last Days #4 that is really exciting. If you read DC's 52 limited series, you'll recall that Buddy was marooned in space for a year, along with Adam Strange and Starfire. There were moments when Buddy was obviously aroused by Starfire--how could you not have a reaction when a golden goddess is bathing naked in a pool! Things were subtly implied, but never shown in detail. In the more recent Countdown to Adventure mini-series, Starfire visited Buddy and Ellen, where there was even more sexual tension in the air. The teasers for Last Days indicate that there was some infidelity going on and it's finally revealed.
Whenever a classic comics creator returns to the fold, I'm always a bit excited and fearful at the same time. Conway appears to be back in style, and I hope DC or Marvel will sign him up for more stories. Nuff said.
Link: Gerry Conway's blog, Things I'd Wish I'd Thought of Sooner.
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