Hack/Slash #26 – Review

By Tim Seeley (Writer), Bryan Baugh (Art), and Mark Englert (Colors)

The Story: A slasher from Cassie’s and Vlad’s past is back. But the Mosaic Man’s return is actually a trap set by someone looking for revenge.

What’s Good: Hack/Slash #26 takes the series back to its roots in some ways. By having Cassie and Vlad track one of the killers that’s responsible for starting it all, Tim Seeley does a fine job of looking to the past while moving the series forward a bit. While the predictable Mosaic Man plot isn’t groundbreaking or anything, the latest issue of Hack/Slash mixes violence, sex, and humor in a way that makes the book a great choice for anyone looking for something outside of the usual superhero comic mold.

Writer and series co-creator Tim Seeley clearly has a love for everything that makes Hack/Slash work so well. The smart dialogue between Cassie and Vlad always has a perfect “buddy” vibe that makes the leading outcasts oddly endearing, and the fantasy near the opening and the humorous result of it effortlessly mixes the series’ signature dark sexuality and comedy together in a scene that, surprisingly, serves as a slice of character work as well (though it’s still a piece of gratuitous fan-service almost any way you look at it). As for the hunt for the killer, it’s punctuated by flashes of violence that could only really work in a comic that uses the horror genre as a foundation.

I’ve been a fan of Bryan Baugh’s work since he jumped on board the series with Hack/Slash #24. His style looks decidedly “indie” and a bit surreal at times, but it’s perfect for a series like Hack/Slash. With the help of Mark Englert’s moody, deep colors and some heavy inks, Baugh’s art captures everything it needs to. The violence features some disturbing details, the overall tone is heavy and dark, and the characters almost always look like they should (he especially nails the look for Cassie, the gothic pin-up, and Vlad the likable brute). In addition, Baugh gives his characters a nice bit of personality through their slightly exaggerated body language and facial expressions. It keeps them from feeling stiff or unrealistic.

What’s Not So Good: I understand the need to lay the groundwork for the future. I really do. But I can’t help but consider it a negative when Tim Seeley breaks the flow of Hack/Slash #26 with a random scene that’s going to have meaning later. It’s more pointless and distracting than it is interesting at the moment.

My biggest complaint about the artwork is that facial consistency is something of an issue. Some panels just look a bit weird when considering what a character looked like just a few panels before. Another annoyance is that faces tend to look a bit “samey” at times. It’s a fairly common comic book complaint, I know, but it’s something that has to be mentioned.

Conclusion: Hack/Slash #26 is a fun book that deserves to be given a look. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Grade: B+

-Kyle Posluszny

WCBR’s Picks Of The Week

Ray’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Blackest Night #3 – 4 words: Black Lantern Elongated Man.

Most Anticipated: Superman: Secret Origin #1 – Geoff Johns and Gary Frank are back, and we can expect the same things they gave in their run with Action Comics: compelling storylines, and amazing art. With this 48-page debut, fans and newcomers can come to expect a much-needed in depth origin of Superman.

Other Top Picks: Detective Comics #857, Madame Xanadu #15, Amazing Spider-Man Vol 2 #606, Spider-Woman #1, Wolverine Old Man Logan Giant-Size #1

Kyle’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Dark Avengers #9 – The scene between Fury and Ares was a prime example of great character work.  Also, the general strangeness of the stuff happening at Avengers Tower left me dying for more.

Most Anticipated: Wolverine: Old Man Logan Giant-Size #1 – It’s been one hell of a wait, but that hasn’t diminished my anticipation for the conclusion to Mark Millar’s Old Man Logan one bit.

Other Top Picks: Detective Comics #857, Wednesday Comics #12 (do it again DC!), Dark Reign: The List – X-Men, Avengers: The Initiative #28, Fantastic Four #571, Incredible Hercules #135, Ms. Marvel #45, New Avengers #57, Uncanny X-Men #515, Darkness/Pitt #2, Hack/Slash #26, No Hero #7

Rob G.’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: X-Men Legacy Annual #1- I have to say, this was one of the best weeks in comics in a while and it was very hard to choose this comic over the likes of Dark Avengers and The Brave and The Bold. The main reason X-Men Legacy beats out the other two is for purely subjective reasons, in that Acuna is my favorite artist and Carey is crafting old school X-Men stories.

Most Anticipated: Wolverine Giant Size Old Man Logan#1- Another tough decision as there are ton of great books coming out the is week, but will any of them be as legendary as the completion of Millar’s insanely entertaining Old Man Logan arc?

Other Top Picks: Amazing spider-man #606, Blackest Night Superman #2, Buck Rogers #4, Dark Reign List X-men One Shot, Detective Comics #857, Fantastic Four #571, Guardians of Galaxy #18, Invincible #66, New Avengers #57, Nova #29, Spider-Woman #1, Superman Secret Origin #1, Uncanny X-men #515, Wednesday Comics #12, Wolverine Origins #40

DS’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Blackest Night #3 – Black Lantern Firestorm really stole the show, even as Green Lantern and Flash tried to keep their world from crumbling around them.

Most Anticipated: Blackest Night: Superman #2 – Loonie-Toon crazy Black Lantern Psycho Pirate is billed to make an appearance, and the Golden Age Kal-L Black Lantern Superman is still on deck to cause lots of problems for Superman and Superboy.

Other Picks: Power Girl #5, JLA #37, Guardians of the Galaxy #15, Immortal Weapons #3, Ms. Marvel #45, Nova #29.

Alex’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Ex Machina #45 -With an awesome new villain, it’s clear that Vaughan is writing this series to go out not with a bang, but an outright explosion. This was an issue representative of many of the reasons Ex Machina has always been a fantastic series, and the cool layouts and solid art from Tony Harris doesn’t hurt.

Most Anticipated: Spider-Woman #1 – I loved Bendis and Maleev’s work on Daredevil and what I’ve seen of the art on Spider-Woman looks stunning and some of Maleev’s best work, which is saying a lot.  Also, at heart, I’m still a Brian Michael Bendis fan.

Other Picks: Detective Comics #857, Invincible #66, Madame Xanadu #15,Fantastic Four #571, New Avengers #57, Uncanny X-Men #515

Tony’s Picks

Best of the Past Week: Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1 – Despite a groan-inducing title, the first issue of this relaunched book was dynamic and benefited from a great creative team.  Fans of Marvel’s urban heroes like Daredevil and Punisher will want to check this one out!

Most Anticipated: Incredible Hercules #135 – I’m not sure how well an Amadeus Cho issue can hold up without having Hercules around, but I have faith that Pak and Van Lente can deliver the goods.