One of the more surprising titles to earn acclaim after DC Comics' relaunch is Jeff Lemire's Animal Man. When I say surprising, I mean that on so many levels. It takes the C-list property, starring Buddy Baker, who has only recently been in the spotlight with some of DC's space-centric characters, of all things, and makes him relevant, edgy, and at the heart of the behind-the-scenes goings-on in the revamped universe. There is nothing corny about this incarnation of the character. This Animal Man is creepy in the best possible way. It's also a tad bit scary. I mean, have you seen the art (by Steve Pugh and Travel Foreman)? Would you want to face those rotted … things? Didn't think so. One of the scariest things I can think of would be for my own son to have to deal with something like that, but that's exactly the case with Buddy's daughter Maxine. What's going on with her budding powers? What's the extent of her connection to these creatures? And more importantly, will that connection be enough to save her and the rest of the Baker clan?
Check out this exclusive GeekDad preview of Animal Man #8 for a chilling tease to that last one.
"Animal vs. Man" continues this Wednesday, April 3, on the shelves of your local comic shop.
