Comic Review: Silver Surfer Black #5

Silver Surfer Black #5

Marvel Comics

Writer: Donny Cates

Artists: Tradd Moore, Dave Stewart, Clayton Cowles

With Silver Surfer Black #5, Donny Cates and Tradd Moore wrap up one of the best miniseries of the year. This issue, just like the previous, is outstanding because the team understands how to perfectly balance those wild mind-bending moments with the Surfer’s calm and reflective inner monologue. It’s a hearty display of craft and a hell of a lot of fun.

Every issue of this book has, at minimum, one page that elicits a genuine audible reaction from me. It’s such a satisfying and rare feeling to have when turning the page of a comic. It’s that immediate response that signifies to me when an artist has something special. Tradd Moore does that with every issue. When I flip the page I’m hit with that immediate wave of joy before I can even process what’s on it, I know it’s special. In fact, his work on this book is so stunning It’s easier for me to believe that these pages are the work of a wizard rather than a real guy.

Moore is only one piece of the puzzle, as even a good colorist would not do these pencils justice. They require someone on Dave Stewart’s level. His colors are so vibrant and clean, and they compliment Moore’s style perfectly. On top of that, while I’m admittedly not one who tends to notice standout letterers, Clayton Cowles does a great job at adding gravitas to the storytelling. There’s one section in which Norrin is fading in and out of reality, and the letters do so with him. It adds weight to that moment without being distracting or overly dramatic. The art team as a whole works in perfect tandem and it makes for a stunning reading experience. The way the three of these artists guide the reader’s eyes through these unconventional page layouts so seamlessly is unmatched in today’s industry. It’s perfect.

While I could go on about the artists all day, Donny Cates earns his fair share of the love. His handling of this conclusion is incredibly strong. Upon reflection this issue is quite wordy, but it actually feels right in this instance. The Surfer, for whatever reason, is always so chatty in his own head. He’s constantly lamenting his past failures and wrongdoings, and he’s just trying to make amends. It’s so consistent across so many books that I have to think it’s intentional, and Cates does a great job displaying it and making it work in a medium where, theoretically, it shouldn’t.

Norrin’s unending guilt is a central part of his character. It can’t be fixed or absolved, because as soon as it is, the story’s over. However, this story does a great job of making it feel like this could be the end, were there such a concept in comics. That’s my way of saying that if this story were the end for Norrin, it’s as close to perfect as one could ask for.

Silver Surfer Black #5 is an appropriately poignant ending wrapped in well-written and poetic prose. On top of being masterfully drawn by a Master-class art team, it’s also incredibly wild and fun. This is undoubtedly one of the best comics being published right now. Do yourself a favor and pick up the trade, it’s more than worth it.