With Huck now exposed to the world, how will the world react? What does Huck think about being pushed and pulled between different influences? Is it good?
Huck #3 (Image Comics)
Huck’s do-gooding knows no bounds, as he finds himself alternately saving lives in the slimiest of cesspools (i.e. Camden, New Jersey) and rescuing puppies in idyllic New England. And really, that’s all he wants. No self-righteous soliloquies, no superhero dust-ups; just crossing more items of his good deed to-do list.
And please, no reality shows! That’s only one of the grand things offered to a blindsided Huck when he’s shown off like a prized pig at a gathering with the governor. But save your thanks and innuendo-laden hotel room keys; are those stray cats outside okay?
Not feeling the scene, Huck bugs out and returns home in typical leap-and-bound fashion. On the way, he’s smacked with the most surprising proposition of all—Huck’s brother appears and asks if he wants to meet their mother. Is that who wrote the note Huck got all weepy over earlier?
Is It Good?
In a young series that’s come to be known for how quickly it reads, Huck #3 initially feels like the lightest and most “decompressed” so far. A re-read paints a different picture, though—one of a veteran storytelling professional, Mark Millar, omitting anything extraneous and evoking the most with an economy of words. There’s nothing here that could be cut or, conversely, that doesn’t provide an important piece of Huck’s puzzle that pushes the narrative along.
The language and actions of the slimeball governor and his cronies perfectly contrast with the kind-hearted Huck. The colors of Dave McCaig serve to point out the same distinction, with bright and warm yellows surrounding Huck while harsh reds are reserved for his would-be exploiters. Rafael Abuquerque’s pencils are still on point, communicating Huck’s folksiness and genuine surprise in unfamiliar situations.
Huck #3 can feel less like a chapter and more of a single scene, but it’s one that deserves to expand and breathe within the greater scope of this story. The events themselves, while surely pointing toward a higher-level confrontation down the line, currently aren’t as important as the overall emotional architecture this issue builds — one that continues to distinguish our shiny knight from the tarnished world he inhabits. The eventual, climactic clash of concepts will feel much richer thanks to the laying of this painstaking groundwork.
Join the AIPT Patreon
Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:
- ❌ Remove all ads on the website
- 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
- 📗 Access to our monthly book club
- 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
- 💥 And more!
