Naomi #4: Origins

What is Naomi’s origin? What is her parents’ big secret? What about the lumbering brute named Dee – how does he figure into all this?

Writers Brian Michael Bendis and David F. Walker have managed to successfully weave her origin story into the broader tapestry of the DCU, touching on no less than three different iconic locales and characters in the process – and make it not only coherent, but completely natural as well. As the puzzle pieces fall into place, nothing feels forced – it feels like a completely natural yet untouched corner of DC’s rich history.

As the story begins to unfold, Naomi stands in awe, astounded at what she’s hearing – a perfect surrogate for us readers. She never breaks character and takes it in stride – she’s freaking out, and rightfully so. Her response is completely understandable.

As per usual, Jamal Igle’s art is so perfect I’m running out of adjectives to describe it each month. He tackles signature Bendisian double-splash spreads with ease, creating poster-worthy art with each turn of the page.

The only thing I can say against this comic is that it’s over too quickly. The sheer number of double-splash pages means it’s a pretty quick read – the occasional par for the course for Bendis – but everything is so organically orchestrated that readers will barely notice, until reaching the end and realizing they have to wait a whole month more to get the next installment, which based on the final page, promises to blow Naomi’s backstory even further wide open.