Twelve #5 (OF 12)

This issue did not do much to change the pace of this series. Not that much happened to propel the plot forward. It's hard to say what the plot of this book really is. I could describe the premise but, as far as where it's going, I have no clue (other than the fact that the Blue Blade will die at some point).  I was hoping the series would start to really pick up with this issue. That didn't happen. But damn if this wasn't a good read. Weston's art continues to be brilliant, but a lot of credit has to be given to Chris Chuckry, his colorist, who has been doing a phenomenal job on this book.

This issue starts out with a closer look at the Witness. The Witness, among other things,  is a snappy dresser, and the look of concentration, bitterness, and sadness that is always on his face is completely arresting. I like how it only changes subtly, but still manages to be very expressive. We get to hear the Witness narrate his bizarre origin in a voice that is pure pulp. It's a strange tale, and it involves our hero attempting suicide, and being given mission by God. The upside of this mission, is that the Witness gets a vision of a death that is to occur. His job is to judge weather or not the person deserves it. If they don't, he saves them. If they do, he watches them die, or in some cases, ensures they die. Witness's origin, costume, and voice are all a little dated, but he is in no way silly.

The rest of the book focuses on Dynamic Man and Captain Wonder. Dynamic Man continues to be way more of a jerk than is necessary. He says Captain Wonder (who is understandably distressed by the loss of his children) is having a pity party. Captain Wonder gives him a well deserved punch in the face. By this point I was getting a little tired of how one dimensional Dynamic Man was, and thankfully only a few pages later JMS gave more insight into the character's awful behavior. Dynamic Man reveals that he has been trying so hard to get Captain Wonder back in costume, in an effort to get him out of his misery. Dynamic Man is also miserable, so he works constantly so he doesn't have to think about it. He suggests that his colleague do the same.And at the end of the issue, though it is obvious that Captain Wonder still dislikes Dynamic Man, he takes his advice and suits up.

So I still have no idea where this is going. There isn't a villain. There haven't been any clues as to why the Blue Blade will be murdered. But now I care more than ever about what these characters will do when whatever it is that's going to happen happens.

I'm happy we're getting seven more issues of these characters.