Dead Man Logan #5
Logan, Hawkeye, and some X-Men take on Neo-Hydra in Dead Man Logan #5, by writer Ed Brisson, artist Mike Henderson, colorist Nolan Woodard, and letterer Cory Petit. Mysterio has flipped on Sin, Miss Sinister, and Neo-Hydra, but is he really on the side of angels?
Logan, Hawkeye, Mysterio, and the X-Men storm Neo-Hydra's sea base. Their Blackbird is shot down, and the group is separated. Mysterio sneaks into the station and “warns” Sin, Crossbones, and Miss Sinister that the X-Men have attacked and then uses his powers on Sin and Crossbones, causing them to be fired on by Neo-Hydra, while holding Miss Sinister back with him. The X-Men are able to capture them before being attacked by more Neo-Hydra agents. Sin blasts Logan, hurting him badly, and Hawkeye goes after her as Glob takes an inhibitor collar and goes after Miss Sinister. Logan is confronted by Mysterio and Logan tells him how much he hates him and why, then stabs him the face…. but it's not Mysterio at all, it's a Neo-Hydra agent. The X-Men take Sin, Crossbones, and Miss Sinister into custody and leave “Mysterio’s” body behind. However, Mysterio goes back to the asylum where Miss Sinister found him, vowing never to leave there again with a sinister look on his face.
This book throws another wrench into the works of this story. It seemingly ends the Neo-Hydra plot, tying it all up in a neat little bow, but the ending blows it all wide open. The Mysterio in this issue is a much more confident manipulator, and that could play into the future of this book. The last page definitely hints at something changed inside him and there are what could clues to that in this book for readers of what might come of it, but that's one of the beautiful things about this book and the way Brisson is writing it- he is continuously subverting expectations and keeping readers guessing what's going to happen next.
Mysterio's illusions throughout the book keep the plot turning in exciting ways, moving the thing forward. There's actually not as much action as one would expect in this kind of issue, but it's never dull. The momentum rarely flags even when there's a bunch of dialogue. There's a lot of rapid “cuts” between scenes, especially after Mysterio uses his illusion casting on Sin and Crossbones and that keeps things moving along.
Mike Henderson's art is spectacular. He lays out great action scenes, his linework is sharp and clear, and his faces are expressive. A standout scene is when Logan is explaining to “Mysterio” just why he hates him so much. The anger and pain Mysterio has caused Logan leaps off the page, making the dialogue Brisson scripted pop. Plus, the last page wouldn't work nearly as well without Henderson's deft and expressive pencils.
Dead Man Logan #5 is another triumph in a series that has been full of them. Brisson again flips the script on readers, seemingly closing out one plot while opening doors for others. Will Logan go back to the Badlands? Does Mysterio have a new plan? What is up with Miss Sinister going down so quickly? It's anyone's guess where this book will go, but if it's anywhere like it's been, it will be well worth it. To top it off, Mike Henderson's pencils are the perfect accompaniment to Brisson's script. Dead Man Logan has it all.
