Unbagging DC Comics Anatomy Of Metahuman

DC Comics Anatomy Of Metahuman HC

Release: Sep 19, 2018

Insight Studios Group

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PRIORITY TASK: Further research into properties of Kryptonite and acquisition of additional samples for weapons R&D.

I put this forward as my choice for Top Shelf Friday on Bluesky yesterday and decided I should do a proper post about it here.

This one is more of a Short Box with pictures than a proper unbagging, as there isn’t really a story to talk about even though there are some narrative elements, and the main focus is on the illustrations.

The conceit for the book is that we’re looking at sketches and notes created by Batman, gathering information about the abilities – and, more importantly, weaknesses – of his metahuman friends and foes, as, being Batman, he is extremely concerned about the potential threat any and all metahumans pose.

If you’re reading this, then that means one of two things. Best case scenario, I’m facing enemies too big to handle alone. This book is in your hands to help you better understand the threat they pose. Worst case scenario, one of my former allies has gone rogue, and if I’ve handed you this information, then that means our entire world is most likely in jeopardy.

The words are brought to us by S.D. Perry and Mathew K. Manning, while the illustrations are from Ming Doyle, with colors by Scott Holladay.

The metahumans included in this volume are:

• Superman
• The Cheetah
• Aquaman
• Cyborg
• Martian Manhunter
• Swamp Thing
• Darkseid
• Bane
• Doomsday
• Killer Croc
• Bizarro
• Killer Frost

Others, such as Wonder Woman, at least score passing mentions.

Some of the entries include the methodology for collecting data, in Superman’s case noting that Superman provided it voluntarily.

Anyway, let’s make with some of the pictures.

(Apologies for the quality of the images – the book is too large for both my flatbed scanner and my overhead document scanner.)

There are a lot more illustrations, including discussions of the workings of pieces of paraphernalia such as the Mother Box (as it relates to Cyborg), and various weapons Batman himself has used in conflict with some of the metahumans he’s encountered.

The bits where he runs out of room and has to write notes in the margins or between paragraphs are a nice touch.

It reinforces the idea of it being a person’s private notes, making it feel more like something made by an individual.

It’s a fun idea, full of cool images, some great technobabble, and a look into the paranoia that drives Batman to always have a plan, and I thought it was worthwhile to make a brief post just to show a little bit of the contents.

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