Day of Vengeance #1 (of 6)
DC Comics
Writer: Bill Willingham
Pencils: Justiniano
Inks: Walden Wong
Colors: Chris Chuckry
Price: $2.50

Rating- 3 and a half stars

Day of Vengeance was probably the Pre-Infinity Crisis precursor I was least looking forward to. I wasn’t familiar with some of the characters being mentioned in Previews, and I haven’t been a fan of The Spectre since Jim Corrigan was given eternal rest. Imagine my pleasant surprise at reading an edgy, exciting issue that makes me really look forward to the rest of the mini-series.

Issue one is told through the eyes of Ragman, a less known character in the DCU. He has no false illusions about his place in the pecking order, and takes each event in his life as it comes. As he encounters new evil and absorbs it into his countenance, it is obvious that his life is not one to be envied. A meeting with Enchantress puts him on the path to stopping The Spectre, who after being separated from Hal Jordan, is seeking to snuff out all sorcery. Add in an ominous cameo with Identity Crisis villainess Jean Loring, and Day of Vengeance starts looking like the book to read.

Writer Bill Willingham uses the same self-deprecating approach that I love so much in his work on Fables. From the character narration to the quirky madness he throws in, the script is a delight to read. His pacing is perfect, and though the tale intrigued me, it never once lost me. This mini-series is a wonderful opportunity to introduce his work to a broader audience that may not be picking up Robin or Fables.

Justiniano is a great foil for Willingham’s detailed scripting. The way he depicts Ragman’s cloak and the action it can contain is incredible. I also liked his grand sense of size and scale, as the picture depicting Spectre in battle is ominous to say the least. What Justiniano lacks in sharpness, he makes up for in scope. Ably inked by Walden Wong, who brings a whole new dimension to his work, Justiniano does a credible job of bringing Willingham’s vision to life.

From an astounding meeting at the Oblivion Bar to a fight on the streets of Gotham City, Day of Vengeance is a good, solid read. Filled with mystery and a sense of dread, the journey is just beginning for the characters. Also, a meeting of the minds with Captain Marvel and Eclipso is shortly to follow, upping the dramatic quotient of the tale. Readers who are enjoying the Infinity Crisis hoopla, or are just looking for a new flavor should pick up Day of Vengeance.

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