The Terrifics #3 // Review
The Terrifics, in its third issue, continues to solidify itself as being one of the strongest titles from DC’s New Age of Heroes imprint. Jeff Lemire and legendary artist Joe Bennett take the time to use this issue as a vehicle for the cast to finally come together as a team. While being forced into partnership by the powers of the Dark Multiverse, the four heroes must figure out the answers to their ever growing list of mysteries. From the quirky team line up to even just the unique color palette, this series has so much to adore.
The Terrifics’ continues to do a wonderful job of never taking itself too seriously and just blatantly having fun with the comics medium as a whole. Plastic Man remains the fan favorite, as the comedic relief of the group as well as his growing “good cop, bad cop” relationship with Metamorpho. The team dynamic really hits home with this issue, displaying why each character is important and needed to the overall aesthetic of this team. While plot does take more of a back seat in this issue, it all works towards the goal of bringing these characters together and how well they play off of one another.
With the loss of Ivan Reis on pencils, the title could have easily lost its footing and staggered with a less experienced artist. Having Joe Bennett on pencils allows the previous issues to blend relatively seamlessly with this issue, once collected together in the future. Bennett’s level of detail elevates the material in such a stylized, eye-catching fashion, with Marcelo Maiolo on colors adding yet another layer to whole vision. This distinct color palette gives the book a totally unique visual flavor that has become absolutely quintessential to the series.
Yet another testament to Lemire's talent is his ability to manage each separate character creating all together more natural read and allowing each member to stand apart from the rest. Giving each character their own individual voice in an ensemble cast is absolutely paramount. Even while the title changes artists as the series pushes forward, it only displays Lemire's ability and level of which he is able to work well with a slew of other creators. Lemire has the Midas Touch and 'The Terrifics’ is yet another example of his brilliance. It’s a wonderfully enjoyable title that repeatedly delivers with each new issue, continuing to set the bar for DC’s newest imprint.
