The Unexpected #5 - DC Comics

THE UNEXPECTED No. 5, December 2018

Packed full of more Nth Metal Isotope related gobbledygook than even this title’s loyal 13,825 readers could perhaps handle, Steve Orlando’s script to Issue Five of “The Unexpected” still probably provided them with an exhilarating insight into the bowels of Castle Frankenstein in the Bavarian Alps. Indeed, despite the twenty page periodical’s plot throwing revelation after revelation at its audience as to the mysterious origin of Onimar Synn’s highly sought after prize, “Mad Science” still proves to be an interesting instalment to the Tor Books Best Comics Award-winner’s lengthy “Call Of The Unknown” storyline.

For starters, the sudden introduction of Hawkman to this comic’s proceedings definitely helps give Colin Nomi someone reasonably rational to talk things over with, at least once Carter Hall has had his double vision of the Dark Multiverse and “Mandrakk on the Night Wind” shocked out of him through Neon the Unknown’s transformation of the winged adventurer’s “white-hot grief” into hope. This duo’s dialogue is admittedly rather wordy and at times, arguably a little incomprehensible, yet it also delivers some tantalising insights into the interior workings of Doctor Victor Frankenstein’s laboratory, as well as an intriguing history between the Birdman and the ancient Thanagarian demon pursuing The Unexpected team.

In addition, Orlando’s inclusion of the former Justice Leaguer permits the infuriatingly dislikeable Firebrand to (once again) brutally batter an obvious ally into the ground with a flurry of punches, and resultantly imbue this book with a rather enjoyable, all-out action sequence. Completely overcome by her Conflict Engine, this exchange of blows certainly should get any bibliophile’s pulse pounding. But it is hard to take Janet Fals seriously when she unconvincingly keeps telling Hall to calm down as she needs his help, whilst simultaneously repeatedly smashing him in the face; “You can either calm down --! Or I can put you down!”

Pencilling plenty of pace into a decidedly discussion-heavy narrative are Ronan Cliquet’s excellent-looking illustrations. The Brazilian artist imbues Castle Frankenstein with plenty of atmosphere with its odd mix of dust, cobwebs and advanced technology, whilst also adding a copious amount of emotional edge to Hawkman’s impassioned speech when he realises that Nomi is wrong and that the Nth Metal Isotope isn’t “from within the Multiverse.”

Storytellers: Ronan Cliquet & Steve Orlando, and Colors: Jeromy Cox