By: Miguel Acedo

Often lauded for the atypical storytelling of his independent books, writer Jeff Lemire continues to prove himself to be one of the great craftsman of the new DC universe.

Hitting shelves this week is the sixth issue of Animal Man. This is one fans of the series have been waiting for. Lemire’s premise and entry point to the first issue highlighted the fact that Animal Man (Buddy Baker) starred in Tights, an independent film.  And this is the issue in which we finally see the film. At least part of it.

What has made this series so great is the fact that it is character-driven. So the fact that this particular issue and by virtue, the fact that Tights itself is modeled after and likened to a character film such as Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler speaks volumes. The parallels are poignant and echo what could become Buddy Baker’s reality.

From the powerful opening credits, to the many filmic techniques, conventions and visualizations employed, this issue is a visual storytelling clinic. Much credit should be attributed to artist John Paul Leon and his collaboration with Lemire. The predominate use of horizontal, widescreen panels seduces the reader into a filmic experience. The pacing, action, movement and continuity resembled that of a savvy film editor.

Lemire has easily made Animal Man the most empathetic superhero. He is a character that lives, breathes, and embodies an ideal. He muddles through what often becomes life’s biggest challenge, keeping himself together to keep his family together. Buddy Baker is much more than Animal Man. He is “man” in every positive connotation of the word.