Destroyer #3
Publisher: BOOM!
Writer: Victor LaValle
Artist: Dietrich Smith
Colorist: Joana Lafuente
Cover: Micaela Dawn
Destroyer #3 dives into the backstory of Dr. Baker and her son, Akai. These events were hinted at in the previous issues but now LaValle finally sheds some light on the tragedy and the overall story is much better for it. He gives a deeper purpose to her focused rage and anger making her more than your average “mad scientist”. The weight of her revenge is juxtaposed against a tale of her ancestor, Victor Frankenstein, and the tragedy that happened to Medgar Evers. All of which builds the story’s momentum and also hints at the coming of The Bride who might even be too much for Akai’s new abilities.
As much as I liked this issue, LaValle includes a sequence that involves Frankenstein’s monster and it seemed to actually interrupt the story. Thankfully it’s not a long one but the hiccup does come off as forced and doesn’t even help validate the appearance later in the issue.
Smith and Lafuente continue to deliver a visually solid story for the most part. There’s so much to be impressed by here whether it be Akai’s character design and display of his abilities to Byron and Shelley’s capture sequence. The panel when Dr. Baker says she wants to tear heads from shoulders is probably my favorite as it not only looks great but there is nothing but cold fury in those eyes of hers. Akai singing Kendrick Lamar’s Alright is just a kick in the gut when you know how things turn out for the kid but it’s such a sweet family moment between him and his mother and enhances the narrative. There are several flashbacks throughout but Lafuente’s color palette makes sure that there will be no confusion as to when something is taking place.
Destoryer is still a series that I’d recommend due to the strong storytelling and the fact that LaValle makes this socially relevant without beating you over the head. And with LaValle dropping hints about The Bride and a possible upcoming fight I’m here until the series wraps!
Infinite Speech
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