It's been at least a year since I thumbed through the pages of this title. I've enjoy Horrocks's take on Tim Hunter -- the ultimate-mage-in-training of the DC Universe -- before, but I just sort of lost touch with the book. Well, I'm certainly pleased to have touched it anew. (Wait, that sounds dirty.). Er, I mean, this latest issue proved to be not only surprisingly accessible, but entertaining as well. As the world is captivated by the more innocent story of a young wizard in training on the big screen, it was a treat to delve into a more mature take on a similar premise.
Kalesh, Tim Hunter's sometime girlfriend in the magical realms, has learned all she can from her elderly tutor, and the old woman sends her away, back to her love. But first she must deliver a message to Giannino Bernardi, the master magician whom Tim has befriended. Meanwhile, Bernardi schools Tim on the history of the corrupt magical organization known as the Order of the Golden Lotus, and shares some of his own past history with the manipulative magic-maker who now runs it.
Case's art certainly seems stronger than it was when the series began. Don't get me wrong... he told the story clearly and his simple style nevertheless captured the natural and supernatural elements nicely. But I really get a sense from the art that Tim Hunter has grown up a bit, but also that he's still got some maturing ahead of him as well. Tim's a man, but Case makes sure there's still a hint of the child in his face. Van Valkenburgh's soft colors give one a sense of the purity of the serene, magical landscapes in which this issue is set.
Horrocks crams a lot of exposition nicely into the dialogue, so it's not hard for those like me, who are a little out of touch with what the title character's been up to, to get up to speed. But on top of that, even someone who knows nothing of Tim Hunter will be able to follow along here.
The writer has also developed a strong sense of suspense. The reader is kept guessing... who's right, Tim or Bernardi? But the strongest moment in the book is Tim and Kalesh's reunion. In a single moment, the creators convince the reader of the connection these two share, and for me, a sense of that connection was solidified later on when I discovered the level of intimacy that these two characters share was more than I expected of the once innocent Tim Hunter.
