The Terrifics #12 // Review
As DC’s ‘New Age of Superheroes’ imprint begins to fall apart one after another, this title stands stronger than ever. Helmed by the legendary Jeff Lemire alongside up and coming DC alumni, Viktor Bogdanovic, this series continues to stands both as a wonderful love letter and simultaneous jab at Marvel’s First Family. With no foreseeable end for the title, as opposed to the rest of the imprint, readers continue to return each month for the premiere Fantastic Four comic currently in shops.
After the disassembling of the team in previous issues, Mister Terrific is left to his own devices while the rest of the heroes attempt to adjust to their new lives. Eventually traveling through the Multiverse having found a version of his deceased wife on Earth-23, Terrific is meg by Doc Dread and his group of evil multiversal counterparts of Terrifics own team. When Hope begins to dwindle, a distress signal is finally sent to the rest of the team and they set of on a Multiverse excursion to save their fallen leader.
In a long line of talented artists, Bogdanovic joins the list and graces the issue with his cartoonist sensibilities, fitting the series like a glove. With an almost Greg Capullo character style, filtered through a younger more polished and friendly lens, albeit adding the warm familiarity to the series it had lacked on certain previous issues. Bogdanovic’s talents prove most effective on the scenes highlighting Plastic Man, allowing the chance to play as well as a heartfelt character beat for Plas. Colorist, Michael Spicer, adorns the issue in vibrant hues and adding to the overall cartoon aesthetic to this arc.
In what could be written off as merely a surface level doppelgänger to the FF, Jeff Lemire proves to make this series into his own unique love letter to Kirby and Lee as well as making it something completely all its own. As the series continually manages to set itself apart from the very books that it has taken inspiration from, Lemire continues to deliver the heat with a slew of talented artists month after month. Plastic Man continues to steal the show and Lemire’s love for Plas and the rest of the cast shines through as his character continues to develop and evolve throughout the title.
Yet another beautiful homage to the Silver Age from Lemire and company while the title evolves into something truly special. Bogdanovic adds the heart the series commands while adhering to the larger scale scripts Lemire commands. Standing as the final title left from the year old imprint, this series has grown to be a fan favorite and a new alternative for an old classic.
