DIal H for HERO #9 // Review
It takes a tremendous amount of self-control to do things the right way when the easy way is right there in front of you. That’s the theme of Dial H for HERO #9, and it’s the temptation that Miguel faces as the Operator tries to keep him from using the H-Dial yet again.
This is mostly a table-setting issue, as we’re introduced to Miguel and Summer’s new status quo as interns at the Daily Planet trying to keep from getting caught and sent back to Devil’s Canyon. They’ve still got the Cyan H-Dial, and Mister Thunderbolt is still hoping to get his hands on it. Unfortunately, Summer and Miguel aren’t exactly on speaking terms with The Operator. Eventually, chaos ensues.
Writer Sam Humphries spends most of the issue moving pieces around the board to set up a grand multiversal adventure in issue #9. Luckily, Humphries is a solid enough writer that he can make even that utilitarian writing exciting and engaging. Humphries fills the book with interesting beats like a new love interest for Miguel, or Miguel’s dealings with Daily Planet blowhard Steve Lombard.
As always, the highlight of the issue is Joe Quinones’ art. This issue introduces a new ride for Miguel and Summer, and Quinones’ design for their new van is something to behold. As in every installment of Dial H for HERO, Quinones manages to throw in some artistic homages; this time, it’s Chris Ware, Hanna-Barbera cartoons, and the early TMNT work of Kevin Eastman. Colorist Jordan Gibson and letterer Dave Sharpe enhance Quinones’ work and strengthen his homages.
This isn’t the strongest issue of Dial H for HERO. It doesn’t have any huge revelations or significant moments. It gets the story from point a to point b and sets up the next arc. But even a weak issue of Dial H for HERO is more inventive and more clever than quite a bit of what’s on the stands.
