Before Watchmen: Minutemen #6 Review

DC Comics
Before Watchmen: Minutemen #6 Review
By Andy Frisk
January 23, 2013 - 22:26

DC Comics
Writer(s): Darwyn Cooke
Penciller(s): Darwyn Cooke
Inker(s): Darwyn Cooke
Colourist(s): Phil Noto
Letterer(s): Jared K. Fletcher
Cover Artist(s): Darwyn Cooke
$3.99 US

After last issues surprise events and reveals, Hollis Mason AKA Night Owl pursues the most deadly kind of justice against the perpetrator of the crimes against children that he and the late Silhouette pursued relentlessly. Does Mason really have the right man though?

In the powerful ending to the most powerful and engaging of the Before Watchmen prequel series, Darwyn Cooke wraps up what really was the most interesting Minuteman member's story, and the man who ended up being the focal character of the miniseries: Hollis Mason. Mason manages to extend the fullest and most deadly punishment to the other Minuteman that he believes is responsible for the horrifically vile child abuse and exploitation ring. Cooke does everything in his considerable power to shock and surprise us with the twists and turns that he concocts this issue (which started last issue) and takes us on the harrowing and poignant journey of self discovery, heroism, and horror that Mason travels. He really makes us feel Mason's sense of accomplishment, peace, horror (as he discovers the true meaning of his actions), and quiet resignation and retirement. Throughout this entire journey, Cooke has kept us engaged and brought something new to the story of the Watchmen universe, and the Minutemen's position in it, while staying incredibly true to Alan Moore's original theme and feel of the original work.

Hollis Mason/Night Owl I and his protege, Dan Dreiberg/Night Owl II are the two most interesting of all the characters of the Watchmen Universe simply because they are the ones that most of us Average Joes can relate to, and Cooke was smart to make Mason the focus of Minutemen. Cooke's signature and instantly recognizable 1950s pop style art was also perfect for Mason's story. Cooke's incredibly expressive faces and clean, clear, and crisp style gives his art a wonderful retro look that fit Minutemen's theme and setting like no other artist's could have.

When all the Before Watchmen series are completed, Minutemen will be the one that stands the artist test of time the strongest. Even though many of the Before Watchmen series ended up being way better than expected, Minutemen was a cut above.

Rating: 10/10