Clear #3
Dunes deals with the situation he was left in and then learns more about what Kendra was doing in Clear #3, by writer Scott Snyder, artist Francis Manapul, and letterer Andworld Design. This issue doesn't do anything to take this book outside of the realm of the usual cyberpunk storyline, but it's so well done that it doesn't matter.
The issue starts in a flashback with Dunes describing why he doesn't like veils, revealing that he and Kendra had a child named Baxter who was killed in a car accident because of Kendra's veiling experiments. In the present, he wakes up with the 1518, alive and well. Their leader explains to him what happened and that they worked with Kendra. He goes to see Ms. Madders and interrogates her, finding out that she was trying to help Kendra as well. After he leaves, he checks his watch and finds a veil chip but is attacked by an assailant that he never thought would come after him.
Again, Snyder hits all the right notes for a stellar cyberpunk noir. Every issue has revealed more and more about Dunes, building him up in the classic tragic detective mold that's at the center of so much cyberpunk. Clear is very much a formulaic piece of cyberpunk. With other stories, that would be an insult but Snyder and Manapul both use their talents to set this book apart from other cyberpunk.
Snyder is a master of character, and Dunes is a cool character. His world-building is top-notch, and that's one of many factors that makes this book so good. He takes aspects of cyberpunk that every story uses and makes something special. The veils are an interesting part of the world and also work with Dunes' personality. On top of that, he understands how to make a story flow, so even though these are familiar story beats, they still have impact.
Manapul understands how to make cyberpunk work, and he keeps proving it. He uses dark shades and neon to color every scene, and it works beautifully. As usual, his figure work and backgrounds are amazing. He brings Synder's script to life and elevates the game.
Clear #3 is cyberpunk done right. Snyder and Manapul aren't reinventing the wheel with this one, but they are still killing. They do a fantastic job of bringing the world to life, the most essential part of cyberpunk. The cliffhanger ending is perfect for this one and will keep readers coming back.
