Review: Critter #4

The fourth issue of Critterreally shakes the tree when it comes to the story’s progression and I have tosay there were parts I didn’t like, but for the right reasons. The issue beginswith Critter and the team she’s training with going over the facts of theattack from the last issue. Each of the attacks had a smaller first attack thena giant sea creature that showed up then everything seemingly went back to normal.Also Rip Tide was spotted at each of the attacks which is even more curious. Critteris reprimanded for losing her mother’s belt which becomes a running gag in the issue and adds a bit more personality to the story.

Paradox becomes fixated on Critters tardiness to the battleand takes her away from the base to interrogate her further. He also scolds herfor losing the belt and then sends her back to the base alone. Soon the team isinvolved in finding and locking up some convicts that escaped because of theattacks which leaves Critter alone to be swayed into joining a new team! That’sthe part I wasn’t crazy about, but at the same time I like it because it breaksthe comfort that’s been developed for Critter. Granted we’re not too far intothe story so we could go several more issues before breaking that comfortlevel, but I’m going to trust Hutchison has bigger plans.

I will say that when it comes to the story it’s beginning toget really big, really fast. Sure some throwaway villains were introduced inthis issue, but so were two more heroes and I don’t think that’s needed.Critter needs more time to develop and frankly taking her out of this alreadynew environment for her character and the reader is a bit risky. Hopefully thestory settles down and we're able to get a real feel for Critter, but I’mstarting to think that Critter is just the star of this team book rather thanthe lead character in her own title.

The writing and art is still very good and you can check outthe review for the third issue if you want to read me gushing over it again.Otherwise it’s still very good and frankly it has a really high productionvalue for an indie book. I think that’s something that has always set Big DogInk and Critter apart from othercompanies and books trying to do the same thing, is the production value. If you've been reading Critter then you’rein store for some changes, but not every change is bad and Hutchison has a goodtrack record thus far. The book is going to continue as an ongoing and Ibelieve will return in 2012 with the fifth issue so expect more Critter in the future.

Score: 3/5