Quantum and Woody #4: Old Dogs, New Tricks

So if you’ve been following my reviews you already know what to expect from this team, phenomenal lettering work and I do mean phenomenal. Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou has basically went full Super Saiyan on this book and raised the bar to a new level on just how artistic and skillful great lettering can be. It’s an amazing reminder that all hands on deck when it comes to making comics are the hands of artists, not just the penciler or inker.

The colorist work, inking and pencils are by no means slacking though, while it may hit some as an acquired taste the art of the book is well done and skillful not just in conception but in it’s identity. The style won’t be everyone’s cup of tea sure but it’s one of those things like hearing Les Claypool’s bass or Geddy Lee sing, it is undeniable that you recognize it and the various platitudes and achievements that recognition brings to mind. All around Quantum and Woody #4 is just a rock solidly put together comic.

Now onto the story itself, while I would have liked to seen another issue or two to really flesh out some of the wild developments of this issue I actually dig that it kept to the traditional four-issue structure so prevalent in early modern Valiant work. There’s so much development being thrown at you in this issue yet it doesn’t overwhelm more prompts you to immediately flip to page one and dive right back in for another read. In the interest of keeping it mostly spoiler free I’ll be brief here but things like a possible new addition to the Quantum and Woody team, Quantum developing a new power with hilarious results but also open the flood gates of possibility in application and the reveal of just where Woody is receiving his “visions” from stacks up to an adrenaline rush of an ending.

The best thing about this book is even when it hits hard on dramatic tension it still manages to keep the trademark Quantum and Woody charm without breaking said tension. It’s really hard to find objectively well written comedic superhero titles that don’t shortchange the super heroics or the comedy but Christopher Hastings, Ryan Browne and the rest of the QnW posse found a way to nail it on all fronts. It’d be almost disingenuous to say this is a well written ending to the story because it’s not, not at all. But what Quantum and Woody #4 actually delivers instead is a pulse pounding stop on a hype train ready to plow full steam into the future of Quantum and Woody.