Posted by AxlRotten on March 5, 2006, 6:11 pm
70.121.107.146

Black Panther #13 "White Light, Black Heat" Featuring Blade and Brother Voodoo Reginald Hundlin - Writer Scot Eaton - Pencils Klaus Janson - Inks Dean White - Colors Continuing the story of a vampire assault on New Orleans in last month’s “Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos,” Hundlin continues to grow as a comic book writer. Last issue, I complained that the writer did not have the best handle on Blade and other characters. This issue all the characters are well defined, decidedly different and unique in their presentation and handled with obvious care and affection. This issue is a blast. Black Panther, Luke Cage, Blade and Brother Voodoo go toe-to-toe with a horde of vampires and come face-to-face with their leaders, Beatrice and Victor Montagues. We were introduced to Victor last issue and provided his name in this month’s dialog with Brother Voodoo in the netherworld. Beatrice is introduced this month as she is revealed suddenly as the “general” of the vampire army. These characters show promise but not a lot of depth. It’s a shame the focus of the story wasn’t more on them and their true motivation for their actions. It is never clear why they are attacking New Orleans at this time or what they really want with their descendants on the plantation. But as vampire battles go, it’s a good as any. Blade is handled much better this issue. A more recognizable characterization is present and his actions make sense. The panther even plays off this characterization to further the plot. Excellent. Brother Voodoo is in terrific form in Hundlin’s hands. He has a firm grasp on how this character approaches the challenges at hand particularly when facing a rather oversized vampire beastie along side Luke Cage. Monica Rambeau, who made a brief cameo last issue, is brought back into the story line to bring the final blow using her light powers to great effect. In a terrific display of characterization, it is the Black Panther who understands Monica’s powers, and perhaps Monica herself, better that Monica does. Scot Eaton’s art delivers, masterfully done. His Blade totally captures the Snipes-movie version of the character, instantly recognizable. I really enjoy his take on Brother Voodoo and the realization of his powers and how they work; especially now that Scot has decided on which costume version to dress him in. The vampires, with their oversized fanged teeth, are some of the best vampires within more super heroic surroundings ever presented. Makes me wonder what he would do if teamed up with Steve Niles on a new Morbius series. Now that would rock. Marvel are you listening? All in all a great issue, fun for Panther fans, great for hero fans and absolutely terrific for horror fans. This is a must read folks. Find a copy of Panther 12 & 13 and enjoy. By the way, we see exactly what happens to Victor at the hands of Blade, but Beatrice’s end is not shown. Will she return? 5 out of 5