Midnighter #6 Review

Not the Worst

Written by: Steve Orlando

Art by: Aco, Hugo Petrus and Romulo Fajardo Jr.

Cover Price: $2.99

Release Date: November 5, 2015

I have not been a big fan of this book, but I am not going to apologize for that.  While I loved the first issue, this book has really gone downhill for me.  The main problems have been Steve Orlando's awful dialogue and the fact that I don't like Midnighter as a character.  Before you start sending an accusatory tweet my way, it has nothing to do with his sexual orientation one bit.  In fact, that's the one thing that I like about him because it really feels like the only thing Orlando has taken time to develop.  Midnighter comes across as shallow, selfish and just self-centered.  Sure he can kick some major ass, but at the end of the day, he comes off as a jerk.  A jerk in a book that has no real direction after four issues.  Now that I've gotten that off my chest, I'll tell you that this issue is one of the better ones in the series so far.  It's not as good as the premiere issue, but it's a step in the right direction. Before I spoil everything here, let's get on with the review...

The issue opens with one of the worst endings to a Thanksgiving dinners I've seen since my days growing up with a British Mother.  Last issue, Midnighter said the dinner wasn't the worst, but after this, he may change his mind.  No time for that, though, as Matt hands him a meat tenderizer and tells him to go to work.

The thing that hit me right away this month was that Aco brought his A game.  The frenetic art and panel placement was awesome and really captured the action and chaos going on.  That's a great thing as Midnighter takes care of a bunch of Multiplex (Multipli???) and then returns to Matt in their helicopter.  Now that's a badass.

We then get a bunch of juxtaposed panels showing some Matt/Midnighter quality time and Midnighter collecting God Garden Tech.  This is the part that upset me a bit.  We have spent the last four issues dealing with Midnighter collecting this tech and the little bit we've seen was pretty cool.  Now it's relegated to a couple of quick panels.  Sure, they look cool, but that just angered me even more.

The issue then takes a personal turn as Matt's Father has been roughed up because of Midnighter. They head to Connecticut and after talking to the band-aid man...I mean, Mr. Dell, Midnighter heads off to press the flesh and ask some fist questions.  He beats the crap out of everyone he can find, but is no closer to finding who the attackers were.  Something smells fishy in Porter.

I want to pause a second to mention the dialogue in this issue.  While it's a little better than the last couple, that does not mean it's good.  Talk of electric centers, stains and microexpressions just comes off as forced and so unnatural.  So, pretty much par for the course.

Back to the action, a bunch of revenge seekers jam Midnighters fight computer, almost kill him with a runaway school bus and then turn to green goo.  All in a days work for Midnighter as he returns to Matt and his dad with an epiphany and a plan.  Then the shit hits the fan.  The issue ends with a crazy cliffhanger that really spins this book around until it gets dizzy and falls over.  This book may finally have the villain that it so desperately needs.

Steve Orlando has used the first bunch of issues to throw ideas at the reader and then decide if he should follow up on them.  God Garden Tech, incarcerated allies, bad Russians...some things stuck, others faded away which has lead to a really inconsistent story.  If the cliffhanger can give the book more focus, I'll be so happy.  Maybe the dialogue will improve as well.

I really liked Aco's art.  Sure. it can be confusing at first glance, but if you take the time to let it all sink in (and sync in), it's well worth the effort.  

Bits and Pieces:

This issue is far from perfect, but the cliffhanger promising a villain should give this book the focus and direction it needs.  While I still find Steve Orlando's dialogue close to laughable and Midnighter a tough sell as a character, I enjoyed this issue.  Aco's art was really good and by the end, I was kind of looking forward to next issue.  I realize that's not a huge compliment, but baby steps people...baby steps.

6.5/10