REVIEW: Hero by Night #4 : Crimson Monkey

REVIEW: Hero by Night #4

Sunday, April 29 2012 - Reviews - by: daveomac

Digital comics are the future. While I doubt they will ever fully replace print comics or big nice deluxe edition hardcovers. Thy do need to stand out in a way that the digital versions are worth buying now than waiting for a print equivalent.

We were privileged enough to be sent a copy of Heroes by Night #4 from creators DJ Coffman and Jason Embury. The comic focuses on the “Hero by Night” a standard vigilante just trying to do good by his series.

While the issue we read didn’t break any new ground Coffman and Embury sure do know how to tell a story and get a reader interested in the drama. The story starts off with a “Dear John” letter from the stars lover who seems to be his ex. It tackles the real life dilemma that most women who date policemen or others who risk their lives every day. The former girlfriend admits to being selfish for wanting the hero all to herself. It was a very realistic and mature look on what a relationship really would be like if one of the couple was a super hero.

Other interesting developments in the book was the idea that the appearance of the Hero By Night has caused citizens to stand up to crime. We see an old man stand up to some thugs but based on the ghostly apparition that is following I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s more than a standard old man.

The main narrative of the story is our Hero By Night coming to terms with the loss of his love and the appearance of a perky female villainous.

The story was fun and interesting. The team did a great jump of making me care about the break up and had enough sub plots to have me intrigued. However I’m not sure the book stands out enough for me to keep reading. Though the digital pacing is what had me most intrigued.

Similar to the AvX Infinite the pacing with this all digital edition is great, panels move and flow at the right pace to move the drama ahead at a steady speed.

2.5/5 Good: Despite not being blown away by the story, I’m going to give it a chance as the price point is where I feel digital comics should be at .99. This along with the panels and pacing designed for a tablet; I get the feeling the creative team is just starting off. It’s important to support new technologies and ventures. For only .99 an issue I think it’s worth trying out Hero by Night for a few issues. It’ll be nice to support an independent comic that is embracing the future in ways the big boys are just starting.