Ray: When we picked up with Michael Holt last issue, he was a man at his wit’s end. After losing his wife and unborn child in a freak car accident, he had spiraled – and not even his best friend Dre was able to pull him out of it. Michael didn’t agree to help when Dre wanted support in taking on a corrupt corporate executive that was taking Michael and Paula’s old invention and using it to take over the city’s power grid – turning it toxic in the process. So Dre joined up with a mysterious associate to stage a break-in – and while Michael did snap out of it enough to help him after the heist, it was too late, and Dre was killed in the process. A heavy way to kick things off, and enough to take away what little hope Michael has left. As the issue starts, he’s ready to give up and takes a long climb up to a tall bridge. And that’s when God intervenes – in the form of a towering, green Spirit of Vengeance in a menacing cloak.

I was always wondering about what the connection between Michael Holt and Terry Sloane was, as Michael’s motivations and MO were completely different. But the introduction of Jim Corrigan to Michael’s origin story ties things together really well. I’ve liked all the Spectres – Hal Jordan and Crispus Allen both had excellent solo stories over the years – but there’s something special about Corrigan. He always had the perfect mix of menace for those who deserved it and kindness for those who need it. There’s a great look into Michael’s past that explains why he’s so haunted by Paula’s death – while he wasn’t responsible in any way, there was something deeply unresolved between them. And there’s also a great reveal about who Dre’s collaborator was – and who our villain is actually working for. It all works nicely to set up Michael’s journey from everyman scientist to genius superhero.

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GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.

Source: geekdad.com