DC Comics reviews 1/25/22 – Action Comics #1039, Robin #10

The Human Target #4

Tom King’s latest deconstructionist book has been a fascinating look at the Justice League International. In most of his recent DC books it’s a fair question if he even likes the characters he’s breaking down. With Human Target, the love of the JLI is readily apparent making the murder mystery of Christopher Chance all the more compelling.

In this issue, Ted Kord aka Blue Beetle gets the spotlight as Chance and Ice continue their investigation. King writes Beetle as hyper loquacious, but an immensely likable guy. Outside of the too extreme take on Guy Gardner, King has done right by the JLI members and his take on Beetle might be the best yet.

Greg Smallwood’s art remains a dazzling spectacle. The emotions Smallwood conveys is amazing and he also fully gets the personas of the various JLI members. His Beetle is posed frequently in an open, welcoming stance inviting help from Ice on cases and to offer more insight to Chance.

This issue doesn’t offer much insight on the investigation, but it was a strong character focus on Blue Beetle.

It’s too bad King remains so focused on Batman as he’s showing in Human Target that he would deliver an amazing JLI book.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

Photo Credit: DC Comics