Review: Bete Noir #6/Collected

How about an epic conclusion to indie's best superhero revenge story that hit's like nuclear fallout to a metaphorical air raid siren (see previous reviews for reference) in art of substance and quality to match the dense quality of a Bigfoot Wagyu Tomahawk steak? It is the exciting finale and an opportunity for the amazing collected edition, Bete Noir #6/Collected by Andrew Clemson, Kris Wantowhy, HdE and Matt Hardy with Mad Robot Comics.

Andrew Clemson is a gifted writer from the U.K. His previous works include Damsel from D.I.S.T.R.E.S.S, Elves & Espionage, Child Of The Machine and the Scout Comics published Star Bastard.

Kris Wantowhy is a very talented artist from Indonesia. Previous works include Dinosaur Hunt, Buron, Destined, Dead Runner and Chapterhouse.

HdE the talented letterer returns to duties here. The award winning freelance letterer has previous works including Break The Walls, Lou Scammon, Ursa Minor, and Legends Of Oz: The Wicked West to name a few

Finally it's the editor extraordinaire of exemplary talent and Sussex inhabitant Matthew Hardy. The tippest of top bananas of a bloke is a founding trustee of Gaming Vs Cancer while his writing credits include the awesome Murder Most Mundane, Thunder Child, Cyberarchy, Sickness and Sorrow and Occulus. Incredibly talented individuals reassuredly reacquainted it's time to do the thing we do.

So, let's start with the art. Kris Wantowhy continues the style that I find so captivating. The "dirty" Bronze Age style that has come to define the Bete Noir universe continues to enthral with precision skill and prestigious talent. In previous reviews, I have exhausted superlatives in pursuit of suitable praise for this art, and although I fear repeating myself, I'll try some more inventive accolades.

Kris's art has the effect of being a bunny in the headlights of a Medusa headed dump truck barreling down at the speed of "by crikey!!". There's a dualistic quality to Kris's art as well. The modern classic style has a mainstream aesthetic to it, but still holds plenty of individual flair. I've mentioned it before, but it bears repeating. Kris's art is so well rounded it makes Kepler-11145123 look like an asteroid covered asteroid riding a steel wool Brillo pad. Yeah, a metaphor with homework or a good knowledge of the roundness of objects in the universe.

Anyway, Kris's art is faultless in every area and delivers quality in every aspect. A sumptuous treat for the eyes, steeped in goodness and entertainment. I hope inventive assertions to the awesomeness of the art aside, what about the story, I hear you thinking?

Andrew Clemson has built a fantastically formidable universe in Bete Noir. A truly great superhero story facing down a conclusion and needing an ending worthy of the craftsmanship of the story that has preceded it. Thankfully, gloriously, Andrew has stuck the landing with the skill and poise that would have Tom Holland, Andrew Garfield and the O.G.S., Toby Maguire, in rapturous applause and high fives.

I may have flogged it to death with the following metaphor, but a final issue deserves one last go at it. Remember the air raid siren that exploded to reveal a controlled psychotic hamster, remember that old metaphor I established in previous reviews as a spoiler-free vehicle to express pace and structure? Anyway, issue six is all confrontation and revelation like swatting the hamster in the nutsack only to reveal metal nards, while you're trying to wrap your head around it, the true mastermind is revealed or at least the instigator. And oh boy, could that have implications, like the future of a franchise for that linguistic distinction.

Ok, I've lost the metaphor. Let's go full circle review wise and try the big questions method to bring this one home. Like who is responsible and why has this all come to pass? What is the true power of the catchphrase? How awesome is Jeeves? What's the old man with the cat there for? What are our protagonists' historic origins? How old? Odysseus? Is it me, or are we hearing a lot about that guy this year? What an ending! Not a question, an exclamation. What An Ending!! Finally, the most important question: Does this mean there's more to come? All this will be answered apart from the last question that's more a hope.

The thing that needs saying is that Andrew Clemson has brought this one home in the most fulfilling way. It's the perfect balance of answering all the right questions while leaving plenty of intrigue. It's more satisfying than that second helping of Tiramisu, not a second portion you shouldn't have had, more that leftover piece left on a plate by a significant person or family member. You've got to have it or it'll end up in the bin. Yeah, it hits in a special way. The perfect end to a perfect superhero story, although preferably the end of an arc, not a final issue.

Fudging, heck, it's Italic, so that means it's a reminder that if you like what we do here at CBNUK, please consider donating to our Ko-fi. More importantly, back this Kickstarter if you can only afford one. I implore you to invest in the U.K. scene; if you do, that's enough reward in itself. Anyway, let's wrap up the review.

For fans of superheroes, revenge, thrillers, mystery, fighting the never ending battle that is grief with a hulking metal companion who has my favourite catchphrase and the ultimate composure, action, revelation, motivation and doing the right thing in art that never fails to impress in every way, then you deserve as do we all Bete Noir.

To get your copy, you can rejoice and make haste to the just-started Kickstarter here. This is the ultimate opportunity for new and old fans alike, so check it out. I'd also recommend following Andrew Clemson here and Mattew Hardy here. It's a great idea to be well up to date with these awesome creators' happenings, as they consistently produce resounding bangers of work.

Review: It has to be a 5+/5