Okay, there has been very little doubt on how I feel about Captain Midnight. The title has been just phenominal, bringing new life to a character that ruled nearly all media in the 1940s. In its heyday, Captain Midnight had a comic, a radio show, a serialized movie reel, and even tv show for a stint. The guy was huge, but largely unknown today. Thanks to the awesome work by Dark Horse Comics however, Captain Midnight has returned to a place of prominence once again, well scripted by Joshua Williamson and drawn by Frenando Dagnino. The two have made beautiful comic music together that just keeps getting better as the issues progress. And one of the things that has really made reading this title spectacular has been Williamson's ability to surprise the reader. I was blown away with the ending of Issue #9. After Issue #10's wrap up though...Well, I was just plain floored. Williamson isn't afraid to take chances, which is what is working for the whole story. The "For a Better Tomorrow" story arc began by giving the reader the big confrontation between Midnight and nemesis Fury Shark. Now in Issue #10, Midnight takes the battle to former sidekick and best friend Chuck Ramsey. And as we read through the pages, we are given not only hard hitting, jaw crunching action. But we also get a deeper "inner" tale of loyalty, friendship, betrayal, and sacrifice. We get all these in this issue as well as a hellaciously good read.
It's really difficult to find something bad to say about Joshua Williamson's writing. He has blended past glory with present complexity perfectly. It's one thing to maintain Jim Albright's 1940s composure and swagger, which he does. But then he takes all of the ways of the modern world where not everything is as black and white as say...fighting Nazis. Jim has to realize that difference and through 10 issues, that realization has gone full circle. Midnight gets it and now he is battling from that perspective.
And as for Dagnino...The dude gets it. He draws Midnight with a perfect measure of temperament. Basically, he modernizes an old hero and he does it with gusto and grit. He covers the stoic nature, but is not afraid to get his hands dirty with some 21st century heavy violence which gives the title legitimacy. The comic censorship days are done and we get a Captain Midnight that is steeped in the past, but translated for today.
The end of this one makes sure that things will not be the same again for any of the characters involved. Innocence has been lost, and the rose colored blinders are off. We, along with Jim Albright see the world in its brutal reality. Now things must be resolved. And I can't wait to see how.
Score: 5/5
Writer: Joshua Williamson Artist: Fernando Dagnino Publisher: Dark Horse Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: 4/30/14