Comic book reviews for Huntress #1, Huntress #2, and Huntress #3 by Paul Levitz
Average rating: 3.6/5 stars
Huntress #1 by Paul Levitz
Art: Marcus To
I was surprised at just how much I enjoyed this book. Not because I expected it to be bad, but because I didn’t have any expectations for the title. I’m glad that Huntress has a part in the new DCU, and I’m glad that she’s wearing the costume that covers her stomach and includes pants. (While this story’s taking place in Naples, her normal haunt of Gotham City is not known for its warm weather.) Though I am wondering what happened to her crosses that she usually wears, since being Catholic has been a big part of her characterization.
Since Helena seems to be flying on a private jet, I’m going to guess that her family’s still alive and she still has money to burn. (Or that she hasn’t figured out who ordered the hit on her family.) Interesting. I supposed she could be working for Batman. (Though is Batman Inc a thing here? Or is that just in the Batwoman book? The new DCU is already confusing.)
My biggest complaint is that Helena doesn’t seem to be doing a very good job at keeping her identity a secret. Between ordering a prostitute (to break up the ring) to the room under her real name to visiting the Daily Planet‘s Italy branch and being very bold that she’s doing to stop the weapons and human smuggling, her identity seems beyond obvious. Though I did really like the implied friendship with Lois Lane. (At least, I’m going to assume since Lois, Clark, Perry, and Jimmy are the only ones we care about at the Daily Planet, that she knows one of them.)
The art could’ve used a little bit more detail. But besides, that I liked it.
Huntress #2 by Paul Levitz
Art: Marcus To
I’m continuing to really enjoy this story. I still think Helena’s being too brash with her secret identity, and it’s going to get her into trouble. But when does Huntress back down from causing trouble.
Huntress is definitely not employing the Batman Rule (no killing people no matter how evil) in the new DCU. But that does fit her time pre-Birds of Prey. I suppose some writers probably find her more “fun” when she’s not caring if the villains and evil henchmen end up as collateral damage. But I am missing any references to how religious she is.
That said, I also think this stories draws a lot from the recent back-up story that Greg Rucka did about the Huntress and the Question teaming up to take down the mob’s human-gun-drug trafficking. This isn’t a bad thing. It just makes me wish the Question was in this universe.
I’m interested to see where else the Huntress goes on her world-tour chasing after a millionaire. Good thing this version of Helena still seems to have her family’s money.
Huntress #3 by Paul Levitz
Art: Marcus To
Apparently, there’s some speculation going around that this is not Helena Bertinelli, but Helena Wayne. [Confirmed by Levitz that it’s Wayne.] In some ways, this would make sense given her connections to the Daily Planet, her seeming lack of Catholicism, and a different kind of arrogance. I just thought that Levitz had a different take on her than Simone, Rucka, or others who’ve written Helena.
This issue lacked some of the substance of the last couple ones. It felt light. Also a little too close to real world politics, and I’m always leery anytime anyone from the Middle East is brought in as a bad guy. I’m not saying Levitz can’t write a balanced viewpoint about Arab villains, just I worry that sort of level of respect is never cared about in the editorial rooms.
I did enjoy the fight at the end. To’s pencils were great, and I liked that Helena clearly couldn’t super easily take down the Lion of Kufra. It’s a nice element of realism.
Take a trip with Helena yourself, buy Huntress: Crossbow at the Crossroads