The Bionic Man #11

"Maybe I had to come back here to feel it...I'm Still Steve"

The first thing you'll notice upon opening the pages of this month's Bionic Man, is the lack of Kevin Smith, you may also notice the change in art style. Just like with The Green Hornet; Kevin Smith has stepped to the side for Phil Hester to take the reins. Jonathan Lau has also stepped away from pencils to let Ed Tadeo take over. There is nothing wrong with Phil Hester's writing, but this issue does feel very 'Smallvill-ey'. It's a dramatic change from Smith's action packed 10 issue run that we just had. Ed Tadeo's art is also very different from Lau's and it's not a change for the better.

Hester is decent enough writer, but with Kevin Smith not helping with the script, this issue is a far departure from the last 10 issues of The Bionic Man. We've been used to action, action and some more action. This issue slows right down, with Colonel Steve Austin making his way to his family farm to visit Ma and Pa. His father, dying of cancer, is stubborn and tries to push his son away. His mother is grieving both the loss of her son (now returned) and her dying husband. The dialogue is heartfelt and believable, and the script flows nicely enough, but there is only one action beat in the entire book.

Ed Tadeo's art style is radically different from Jonathan Lau's smooth style. Lau's art felt liquid-ie a great contrast to the Six Million Dollar Man's metal centre. Tadeo however feel's rough and unpractised; his art looking more like a westernised manga than a big publisher title. Lau still provided the cover art, so it leaves me asking why he didn't do the interiors.

 The Bionic Man #11 is a far different book than what we have been used to, it's slower paced, there is less action, more dialogue, it's as cheesy as mum's homemade macaroni and the art is a far cry from what it was one issue previous. For some this will be a much needed break in action, or a great jumping on point after Kevin Smith's departure. For others this will be a boring filler issue that leaves them wanting. Unfortunately I am in the latter. Here's hoping Hester and Tadeo pick their game up in issue #12.