H-E-R-O #10

November 9, 2003

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: A World Made of Glass Part Two

The small-time hood who found the H-device last issue continues his quest to become Gotham City’s greatest supervillain.

Writer: Will Pfeifer
Art: Kano
Colors: Jo Mettler
Letters: Ken Lopez
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Cover Art: John Van Fleet
Publisher: DC Comics

Last issue we were introduced to Anthony Finch, a two-bit crook who bombed out as a henchman for the Joker and somehow escaped with his life. This issue we watch as he continues to use the H-device (I keep wanting to say “dial,” but it’s not a dial anymore) to make himself into a supervillain. The great thing about this series thus far is how Pfeifer has shown that the device does not change anybody’s heart or mind when it changes their body and gives them powers. Some people try to become heroes and blow it. Some wreak havoc. Finch has no dreams bigger than to become another master criminal in a city already overrun with them.

Each story in this title, from the four-issue to the one-issue stories, has proven to be a wonderful character study. Like 100 Bullets, though, he as begun his series with a group of seemingly unrelated tales, only to introducing a unifying subplot. This issue we again check in on Robbie Reed, the original owner of the H-dial, as he jealously watches the series of superpowered beings tearing a swath across the country. As good as the individual stories are, it is the prospect of this story that has me the most interested in this series.

Kano’s art continues to impress, being perfect for this title, which in this issue delves a bit deeper into the DC Universe than it has in the past. It fits, though, for a book with a mystical superhero theme. I’m not sure how good this book is doing, sales-wise, but I don’t think it’s doing as well as it deserves. Read and enjoy.

Rating: 8/10