STORMWATCH #5

Do you know what I hate about lies? Its that some of them are too big to disguise. This is particularly the case, when Adam One shows his face, and flutters his scabby looking eyes. Now to find out what do I mean by this, just ask Writer: Paul Cornell; Artist: Miguel Sepulveda; and Publisher: DC Comics in February 2012.

So what’s the story morning glory?
In part five of 'The Dark Side', we are presented with three very pertinent questions relating to this secret Stormwatch team.

Question One - Who will be the next leader of Stormwatch, after a member of the Shadow Cabinet suddenly arrives and kills its current leader, Adam One?

Well, as none of them can make this decision at the moment, it looks like it's down to this shadowy git to figure it out for himself. Could it be Jenny? No - too young. So what about the Engineer then? No - he knows her too well. OK, so what about Martian Manhunter? Nope - he's too elusive. Harry Tanner or Jack Hawksmoore? No - afraid not - not powerful enough.

Its the Projectionist - to her and the teams chagrin.

Question Two - Wait a minute! What about Apollo and Midnighter?

Now these two reluctant team members break away from this leadership quandary, only to then explore Stormwatch HQ, as well as each other.

And do you know what? They do find out that they have quite a lot in common you know!

Question Three - What the f*ck does Harry Tanner think he's doing, as soon as the member of the Shadow Cabinet leave's Stormwatch headquarters?

OK, so Larry says to the team that he going to look for Midnighter and Apollo, but instead, he steals records from their files, and then sets a bomb to blow this floating station asunder. Granted, Midnighter does confront him about this, and tries to put an end to Larry's ploy. However, just as soon as Larry captures the Projectionist and makes his escape - BOOOOM!

To be continued...

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

Personally speaking, there is one sentence in this book that put a chill up my spine as soon as it was uttered. It's when the Engineer said 'Oh, hey, wait - I never took that book back to Catford Public library'.

And do you know why that is? Yes - I am from Catford! Damn you Paul Cornell, are you following me? Ha!

Was the story any good?

Now I thought that the last issue of Stormwatch was good, but no, this one kicks it to death with a pointed stick and a glint in its eye.

Honestly, I really enjoyed the way how this issue presented so many questions and answers, that I wanted to hear more. Moreover, I did like the beginning and the end of this story as well - it started with a question - and it ended with a bang.

Class - and I am sure that this is not the end.

Was the art any good?

Aesthetically, the majority of this story was talking heads, right? Nevertheless, artist extraordinaire, Miguel Sepulveda, really did pull out all the stops with his panoramic and cinematic layouts, both of which really did aide with the telling of the tale. Plus, in addition to this, watching Midnighter and Larry fight it out was a right blast - pow - thus giving this issue that added action segment to take away from the lofty narrative.

What is the best thing about this issue?

I liked how this story began with a, POW! It was as if writer, Paul Cornell, had an agenda in mind, and said 'Lets not piss about with explaining why Adam has to go - lets just kill him off and just get on with the story'. And do you know what? In my opinion that was the best approach to take - because it just got straight to the nitty-gritty, and stated who should be the next Stormwatch leader, and why the others shouldn't.

Perfect.

What is the worst thing about this issue?

I am afraid to say that the middle section between Apollo and Midnight just did not work for me. It was as though this scene was only included in this issue, as if to break up the introduction of this tale to the resolution to this tale.

Fair enough, we did get to see a bit more of the DCnU's Midnighter and Apollo - plus a couple of teasers as well - but that was about it really.

If you could sum up this issue in a phrase or saying, what would that phrase or saying be?

That Wartime soldier 'recruitment poster' said it best I think 'I want you for the U.S. Army' - just replace 'U.S. Army' with 'Stormwatch' and we have a match.

If this issue were a movie, an object, or a piece of music, what would that be and why?

This is a simple question to answer if you think about it. You need something that is dynamic, vibrant, has a slight love angle to it, and asks the question - who will lead? Therefore, in my own estimation, the pop song by the Shangri-Las 'Leader Of The Pack' would suffice, right?

What do you think would have made this issue better than it was?

OK, so my only gripe with this issue is the Apollo and Midnighter section, correct? Well, what if those two got into an argument about Midnighters 'new look', and then travelled back to earth and started to alter the appearance of Jim Lee, Geoff Jones, and Dan Dididididiido? That would be very DCnU, ha!

Final thoughts...

Like you, I am sure that the Stormwatch team has not gone up in smoke due to Larry's bomb. Though, I would like to know how this team bands together next issue, plus what their new dynamic would be.

Also, I am intrigued about Martian Manhunters 'secret' as well - as he not the only Martian, huh? I can see a story in the works!

Marks out of 10? 9