Brandon Borzelli's Geek Goggle Reviews
Highland Laddie #4 of 6
Dynamite Comics
Ennis, McCrea & Burns
From the pages of The Boys, the mini series that serves as a solo, spotlight on Hughie hits a turning point with this issue. Not just that it's on the downside of the six issue mini series, but also that this is the first issue that is above average, nearly approaching the usual excellent standard set by the main series. There is still a lot of ground to make up in the final two issues to make this mini series worth while, but this issue does contain some very relevant information for the overall story in The Boys.
This issue picks up with the stunner that Annie dropped in on Hughie's return to his roots by sulking around his hometown with his knob-head friends. Annie obviously isn't willing to let their relationship just die and is showing some persistence. Hughie isn't giving an inch but isn't entirely ignoring Annie and what she has to say. What results is Annie's origin story.
Annie's origin sounds like a lot of origins of the X-Men. She's born with powers, they manifest with deadly results leaving her to grow up away from her real family. However, the origin takes an odd turn from there that involves payoffs, kid super hero pageants and manipulation. The origin is very good and manages to really set up the eventual doomed decision for Annie to join up with The Seven. The only oddity is that this story takes place in this mini series.
The comic book would be very good if the origin and the interaction between Annie and Hughie were all that we get, but unfortunately it is not.
Peppered in between the origin sequences is the subplot of the drugs being sold in Hughie's town. While some of the characters have potential this subplot smells like a Scooby-Doo episode. The idea that Hughie is some sort of detective just doesn't fit here and the notion that Hughie can pull himself out of the pity party funk to see what's developing in the town is sort of laughable.
McCrea and Burns share the art duties and the book is pretty consistent. You probably can't tell where one picks up from the other. I think the art tells a good story but it still is too different from that of The Boys proper series. It's not a bad thing but it is worth noting that the characters just feel very different in this book versus the main title.
Highland Laddie has not been an effective mini series up to this point. The entire mini series has been pretty much throwaway material until this issue. If you follow The Boys and are skipping this mini series you need to pick this issue up for the origin of Annie. If you are digging this mini series so far then bless you. This issue will be right in your wheelhouse.
3 out of 5 Geek Goggles
