[[“value”:”Jenny Sparks #4 cover, via DC Comics.
Ray – 9/10
Ray: Tom King is a writer with a lot on his mind, and if you read between the lines of a lot of his work, you can tell he is not pleased with the state of the world. That’s rarely more obvious than with this issue, which is split between the present day and 2011 – right after the death of Osama Bin Laden in a Seal Team 6 raid. But this issue has a lot more than that military success on its mind – it’s all about hostages and destruction. The main plot has Jenny and Captain Atom negotiating for the fate of the people in the bar. Atom continues to be completely insane, demanding to be recognized as God, while Jenny asks him for a display of good faith by releasing some of the hostages. He agrees, after a while – but with a sadistic twist that puts the onus on her. I don’t know enough to say if this is an accurate depiction of the character, but he makes a chilling adversary who isn’t quite a villain yet.
Each issue has a flashback segment as well, and this one might be the most unsettling. As the public celebrates the end of Bin Laden, Jenny has something else on her mind – the recent economic recession that devastated the global economy and sent housing prices skyrocketing. So as one man, the head of a powerful bank and housing loan provider, watches TV, she bursts in – and takes him on a Christmas Carol-like look into the devastation he’s caused. Except this isn’t an inspirational story, it’s one filled with unresolved rage, and it’s not this man she’s trying to get closure for. King’s writing can be intense at times, but I’ve rarely felt it as full of rage as this one. It feels like Jenny Sparks isn’t just achieving justice, she’s avenging what the 21st century should have been. The two timelines of this book give it a lot to work with, but there are some incredibly interesting ideas here.
To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week.
GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
“]] One of the greatest crimes against America is avenged – and on the same night, Jenny Sparks notches another target. Read More