Damage, the titular character in this book by DC Comics, can best be described as an amalgam of Hour-Man, The All American Boy and The Hulk. Similar to the Hulk in that he is viewed as an out of control monster, he is hunted by the government and the world’s heroes. While the government wants to regain control of their asset, the heroes of the world seek to contain him and his immense ability to do damage when in the throes of his powers. Like The All American Boy; Damage, Ethan Avery, was recruited into a government program and granted powers in a military experiment. These powers manifest for one hour each day drawing the inevitable comparisons to Hour-Man of Justice Society of America fame.
The issue opens on young Avery watching Superman fighting Kalibak on television. This scene takes place some time in the past and it is apparent that Ethan Avery has aspirations to be a hero in the mold of his idol, Superman. Flash forward to the present and Avery, in his altered form as Damage, is in combat with Superman and the rest of the Justice League. Unable to control himself when he transforms; he is confronted by Superman, Flash, Vixen, Green Lantern and Green Arrow. Superman is keen to avoid injuring Damage, having been convinced by Wonder Woman there is a man inside the raging beast. However, after going toe to toe with Superman for the better part of twenty minutes it appears that one or the other may be seriously hurt. It is then that Batman arrives on the scene and he delivers Deadman. Possessing Damage, Deadman manages to calm the beast until he transforms back into Ethan Avery. 
I enjoyed this book immensely. Damage contains elements of many recognizable figures from the comics but combines them into something new. The added element of the Justice League and many iconic DC figures makes this book an even better read. The story is fairly straightforward but the concept is inventive and I hope that they continue Damage’s story going forward. I want to know more. The artwork is classic and executed well, the inking and color executed professionally. All in all this is a very attractive book with a good story. I don’t know that any of the parts are ‘excellent’ but as a whole they come together to form a very good book, one I would definitely read again.
Writing – 4 of 5 Stars
Art – 4 of 5 Stars
[yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Storytellers – Aaron Lopresti, Robert Venditti
Inker – Matt Ryan
Colors – Hi-Fi
Letters – Tom Napolitano
Author Profile
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Nemesis is a poet, writer and author of the upcoming novel The Long Game. He is a writer of science fiction and supernatural thrillers. Besides novels and short stories he writes for UK based ASAP Comics developing new stories for Level 8 and OPSEC. Nem is a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point and tries to bring those experiences into his writing.
He lives and works out of his home in Riverside, California with his wife and three children. When not writing he enjoys reviewing comic books and graphic novels for ComicCrusaders.com and living the Southern California life with his family.
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