‘Cover #5’ (review)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by David Mack
Published by DC Comics

This wonderful series continues here. I have to say, seeing two powerhouse creators team up for a comic book like this is magnificent. This story about comic book artists being undercover has been terrific so far. This is the penultimate issue of the series and it’s completely fantastic to read as well.

Max Field is a comic book artist who is now also a spy! Apparently, there is a long history of this happening in the industry according to Bendis and Mack. After the tumultuous events of the past few issues, Max heads home. It’s been an exhausting time, so Max decides that some rest and relaxation is just what he needs!

We see a table table scene to start things out. Max talks with his family who just want to catch up. It’s very funny and nicely written by Bendis. They talk about creators and different comic books. My personal favorite discussion has to do with Windsor McCay.

It’s nice how Bendis approaches the writing and gives us something we haven’t read before. It’s also cool how Mack skews the art to reflect what they are talking about at any given moment. It’s a subtle touch, but it’s genius.

Then, Max gets an invite onto his phone. A bunch of other comic book creators do too. There’s some sort of big shindig that is going on in Brazil. This is the set up to the end of that series and it looks to be a good one. Things feel very ominous indeed!

We then get to see a bit of the comic book story that Max is working on. I like how Bendis and Mack relate it to the main story going on. It’s a nice correlation between the two that they have created here and I’m loving it. It’s smart and intelligent and well thought out.

At the end of the issue, we get to the convention in Brazil. It brings the whole storyline full circle from the beginning. There is also some trouble afoot of course. How will this end? I have no idea but I know that I’m in good hands. We have one more issue to go, and it’s been a great ride. This issue is a big part of that.

RATING: A