Lois Lane #4 [of 12]
Scheduled to arrive in stores: October 2, 2019
Cover date: December 2019
“”Enemy of the People” – Part Four
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Mike Perkins
Cover: Mike Perkins
Variant Covers: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Reviewed by: Mario Bennese
After recovering from the awkward situation at the end of the previous issue, Jon and Lois go out for some pizza. As the two talk, Jon brings up the new team he’s been invited to join. At another diner, Renee and Charlie catch up. Understandably, Renee has questions as to how Charlie is alive again.
In the UK, a police officer comes to check up on a woman. The woman is deranged, reciting chess moves. As the officer tries to enter her room, she draws a gun. As the officer attempts to talk her down from using the gun, she points the weapon at her head and pulls the trigger. As she hits the ground, she falls into a drawn circle with the word “Leviathan” inside it.
Back in Metropolis, Lois and Jon continue their conversation about Jon joining the Legion of Super-Heroes. Lois expresses her approval and the two hug. Back at the diner, Renee and Charlie swap stories. Renee reveals she turned in her badge to help Lois, who is paying her $500 a day. Renee gets a text to meet Lois at Grant Park.
The two arrive at the park. Before he leaves, Charlie exchanges greetings with Lois. Once they’re alone, Renee confronts Lois about withholding the information that Charlie was alive. Feeling there’s more Lois isn’t revealing, she pressures the reporter into divulging a secret only two other people in the universe know.
Story – 3: What really saves this issue is Rucka’s dialogue. He has a firm understanding of the characters and how they should speak. There’s the occasional awkward line (the reference to A Few Good Men being the worst offender), but everything else reads largely natural.
I didn’t particularly find the Renee/Charlie sections all that interesting. It might just be me, though. I’ve never been too invested in Renee Montoya. The Jon/Lois bits are well-written, if not a little too short when compared to the length of everything else. I’m not too thrilled that Jon is being taken from his parents again. Granted, he’s joining the Legion and it’s not really Rucka’s idea, but still.
I’m sure the insane chess lady will come up again, but I’m not quite sure how it’s tied into the story of a Russian reporter murdered by her own government for attempting to expose corruption. Also, can we please just stop with the Leviathan thing? It stopped being interesting months ago.
Art – 3: There are some decent panels in this issue. There are also a number of horrific panels. My favorite is the one where Jon looks like a horse.
Cover Art – 4: I love Perkins’ approach to covers for this book. Sometimes, they’re minimalistic, sometimes they have more detail, but they always feel different than other DC books on the shelf. This cover is no exception.
Variant Cover Art – 3: While everything here is drawn well, I feel like some more atmospheric lighting could have really helped sell the zombie/horror tone. Side note, if you like zombies or horror, check out DCeased. It’s a fun read.
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