Animal Man #18 ended with quite a shocker, as Buddy Baker's son Cliff died. As you might imagine, for a family that was already pushed to the breaking point through the events of Rotworld, such a heartbreaking loss pushed them over the edge.
This issue is a very sad one, as we watch Buddy’s family fall apart before our eyes. Jeff Lemire does a great job of conveying the cycle of emotions that buddy goes through as he first loses his son, and then the love of his life. The real star of this issue is artist Steve Pugh though, as every single page of this issue feels heavy. Lemire doesn’t bog things down with dialogue, he lets Pugh carry the story, and it really pays off.
It’s hard to imagine things getting worse for Buddy coming out of Rotworld, and it will be interesting to see where Lemire goes with a character who can’t help but be transformed by the recent events in his life.
4.5 out of 5 Tragedies