Local Man ended its first story arc strong with a lot of questions around Jack Xaver. Now that the foundation has been created it’s time to see what is going to be happening next in this world. Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs return after a short break since the previous issue to show us what’s next. We got the chance to check out an early copy of Local Man #6. Find out how it turned out with our advance review.
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers & Artists: Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs
Colorists: Brad Simpson and Felipe Sobreiro
SOLICITATION
“Jack Xaver, Farmington’s very own LOCAL MAN, is called in to investigate a mysterious drowning on dry land. The problem is, Jack isn’t legally allowed to be a superhero. Oh, also, he’s sleeping with the police chief’s wife. AND there’s a conspiracy theory gaining traction that Jack murdered America’s most beloved champion, the Camo Crusader.
Now, Local Man, already in over his head, is drawn into another twisted case with dark ties to his superhero past.
On the flip side-meet Inga. Her stupid boyfriend just skipped town to join a superhero team. He left her with nothing…and now she has nothing to lose.” – Image Comics
REVIEW
The world is never as straight forward as one believes. Jack Xaver is an example of that as everything he built his Crossjack life around is out the window. Now with Local Man #6 we see that with how the first story arc of the series having many more layers to it.
While Jack is able to finally begin his new normal it doesn’t mean that opinions others have of him get a fresh start. The opening of Local Man #6 is a reminder of that. It makes Jack attempt to be a normal guy standout even more. While he wants a fresh start that is not ever going to happen. Everyone knows who he is and what he is known for. There is no escaping that.
This leads to the way Jack tris to act as Local Man be something that comes with its own baggage. Because its not as if Jack is shown actively going out to save the day. Things happen in Local Man #6 that force Jack to assume the role. It’s a sense of choice that does make you further question whether Jack going back to his hometown was the right call. We see various examples as to why it may not have been as everyone knowing him in the way a small community would means he can’t escape his past.
To Seeley and Fleecs’ credit, they aren’t treating Jack as a victim of a bigger problem. Jack is actively looking for this as the “superhero” life is what he is most comfortable with. We see that through the way he acts when he is and isn’t wearing his Local Man mask. There are slight adjustments in the way he acts that help give layers to the way his character is portrayed.
What we see Jack go through makes the questions around the deeper mysteries around the world even more intriguing. The death of Camo Crusader in the first story arc sent shockwaves that the world was not ready to respond to. How that dove tails into how conspiracy theories and other political tools are used is integrated into the story well. It gives enough real-world aspects to get the reader to relate to what is going on but still making sure the world of Local Man is in the superhero genre.
This all makes how Seeley and Fleecs peel back the layers of the hook ending of the previous issue with Igna be as intriguing as Jack’s side of Local Man #6 story. Everything with Igna when she is not with Jack is an example of maximizing her screen time. She is a driver of the deeper conflict going on in the universe. Whether she wants this role or not is a question that is added to this story. Where Seeley and Fleecs take Igna’s character arc will interesting to see develop.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Local Man #6 continues the momentum created by the first story arc as if we didn’t have a break in-between new issue. Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs don’t miss a beat with how they handle the progression of Jack Xaver’s life and the world around him. The first story arc was the spark to a greater conflict in the world that was waiting to begin. If you haven’t picked up Local Man yet make sure to fix that. Local Man #6 is an example of why this is a must-have series on your pull list.
Story Rating: 9 Night Girls out of 10
Art Rating: 8 Night Girls out of 10
Overall Rating: 8.5 Night Girls out of 10