Comic Review: Sideways #5

Sideways #5

DC Comics

Writer: Robert Gill

Artist: John Rauch

IT’S UHH FAKE NEWS! JUST FAKE NEWS! THESE UH ‘SUPAH PEOPLE’, THAT THEY CALL THEMSELVES YEAH? THESE ‘SUPAH PEOPLE’ ARE RUINING COMIC BOOKS AND AMERICA ITSELF. TRUST ME I MET WITH THESE GUYS AND THEY ARE JUST FAKE NEWS, I MEAN PEOPLE THEY NEED TO BE STAHPED! YOU CAN TRUST ME ON THIS ONE GUYS! AND THESE FAKE SUPAH HEROES ARE BROUGHT TO YOU BY NONE OTHER THAN Robert Gill and John Rauch.

Now that I’ve got your attention can I just start by saying that DC’s version of Spider-Man is absolutely fantastic? I mentioned in my previous review that their Fantastic Four is Terrific (yes a nice little pun) but their Spider-Man is really shaping up to be something else.

Sorry, I’m getting a call hang on…. wait his name is ‘Sideways’? ……Oh…..OK cool, thanks!

Anyway as I was saying, Spider-Man is fantastic.

But in all seriousness folks as soon as DC launched their ‘NEW AGE OF HEROES’, I was stoked by the lineup and Sideways’ first few pictures intrigued me. Once the series started I was immediately hooked. It felt like a breath of fresh air on a character I both felt familiar with but at the same time didn’t know anything about. Sideways gives the reader a nice mix of the  ‘Ultimate Spider-Man’ / ‘Static Shock’ / ‘classic teenage Super-Hero archetype’ and adds a nice unique flair to his own. We’re on the fifth issue and I’m already interested by his fun super-powers, his diverse supporting cast, and his ever-growing colorful rogue’s gallery.

And this issue only adds more interest.

This issue actually didn’t have the character’s creators ( Didio & Rocafort) minding him this week. Both have been a great team, but the writing has been carried out by Robert Gill and the art by John Rauch. Honestly, I couldn’t even tell the difference. The characters are fun and it’s the type of teen superhero drama that works. Our protagonist Derek is just facing 101 problems in both his social life and super life and it’s only just started to get weird. We open up the issue with a giant Fuginaut in his room telling him of his duties in helping to protect Hypertime. Not too much for a 15-year old eh?

And to make matters worse we have one of the funniest villains I’ve seen yet. You thought J Jonah Jameson was bad? Wait until you get a taste of ‘The Showman’, a character who’s powers thrive off being a troll. Brilliant. The action is carried out in a fun way and I just love that the writers are getting creative with Sideways powers. Characters in this are written top-notch, with plenty of moments that really make you feel like you carry Derek’s problems with him, something Ultimate Spider-Man was always fantastic at doing. You can relate to Derek. I’m also interested in seeing the developments with his family and his friendships with his other supporting cast.

Art this week was different compared to Rocafort’s but it’s a welcome addition to the series. I wouldn’t mind this being the style if Rocafort left (but Roca’s art is so gorgeous I can’t wait for him to continue drawing again). The series is bright and colorful making each page a wonder and joy to look at. The fight between Sideways and Showman just oozes out energy between the two.

Go read this series, guys. Sideways is the start of something good. A series with the heart and soul of old school Spider-Man but bringing its own mix to the table, it’s definitely a series that’s standing strong on its own. I can’t wait to see where they’re going to take the character in the future. I certainly hope he’s going to stick around.