Dial H for HERO #10 // Review
Dial H for HERO is, at its best, one of DC’s strongest titles on the stands right now. When it’s not at its best, it’s still silly, quirky, fun. Dial H for HERO #10 fits into that latter category--it doesn’t reach the heights that some other issues of the series have reached, but it’s still enjoyable.
Miguel and Summer’s quest for the Yellow H-Dial leads them into the multiverse, and eventually, they land in a world where the heroes of the DC Universe have been combined. They land smack in the middle of a crisis, where heroes like Super-Martian and Wonderhawk are battling the Harli-Quinnitor, but they meet that universe’s doppelgangers of themselves, who find the dial. Unfortunately, they’re pursued by Mister Thunderbolt, who tells them an unpleasant truth.
Writer Sam Humphries has his hands full, establishing this new universe while also continuing the story of Miguel, Summer, The Operator, and Mister Thunderbolt. It’s a lot of fun, and the overall plot moves forward. Still, the universe he’s chosen for the issue is a little confusing (doubly so for people who aren’t intimately familiar with DC Comics’ characters and history).
As always, the star of the issue is the art by Joe Quinones. He apes George Perez for this issue, among others, and his stylistic trip to the 1980s is fantastic, and Jordan Gibson’s colors add to the effect. Quinones’ designs for all the amalgamated heroes of this new universe are terrific as well. The lettering by Dave Sharpe is also strong, and their powers combine with a ridiculously delightful Mad Fold-In page.
This issue of Dial H for HERO may not be a series best, but it’s certainly a tremendous amount of fun. This is the tenth issue of a 12-issue miniseries, so it’s bittersweet to see this fantastic series reach its endgame.
