Event Leviathan #6 is published by DC Comics. It is written by Brian Michael Bendis with art by Alex Maleev.
For a series that started off so strong, this final issue just felt like a “wahn wahn waaahhh” just plopped down from the sky on to the last page with a big “LEVIATHAN WILL RETURN IN ACTION COMICS #1018”. That’s great and all, DC, but I don’t read Action Comics. No offense to Superman, I just have other stuff on my plate to read. This wouldn’t be such an annoyance if I was prepared for it. I mean, I know it says “Mystery Thriller” but Event Leviathan was marketed as an event. It’s literally in the title. DC, do you know how events work? You have had like a billion of them. This mini was more of a kick-off than an actual event because nothing was even remotely resolved.
So, Leviathan is finally revealed, and that’s neat and all, but it’s rather anticlimactic. I’m not going to spoil who it is, but the reveal is all like “OMG it’s so-and-so!” and I was like…wait…who was that again? And then I had to look them up and only then was I like, “oh yeah, that person”. And that was about it for my excitement on what was supposed to be a crazy, fantastical reveal. “Oh, neat.”
Then there was the only major casualty, if you can really call it major, which was that of Sam Lane – who, while he died bravely for his beliefs and all that, it’s not like it’s the first time we’ve seen Sam die. To top it all off, the villain was stopped, but where the hell is everyone who went missing? Batgirl came flying in all awesome with a one-liner that genuinely gave me a laugh, but what about everyone else? Then there’s ANOTHER semi-reveal at the end that just solidifies that this was not an event, this was a prequel to an event/story arc that will be on its way shortly, I guess.
If I summed up Event Leviathan #6 in one sentence: An underwhelming plot accompanied by absolutely amazing artwork from Alex Maleev. This is disappointing for me because this series started off so strong and I love Brian Michael Bendis as a writer – it’s just this final execution that felt lacking. However, there is a great few pages about midway through the issue where everyone is using sign language while feigning conversation and it’s really cool.
ISSUE #6 OVERALL SCORE: 7 / 10
Still, overall, I’d say this mini is a fun and worthwhile read. It’s definitely a mystery and one that gets you thinking with the “who is Leviathan” and “what’s going to happen next.” Bendis shows he has a great understanding of all the characters involved (which is impressive because there’s a lot) and highlights their importance and value. Plus, Maleev’s art is, as I said, simply amazing, throughout the whole thing.
SERIES OVERALL SCORE: 8.5 / 10
Make sure you pick up Even Leviathan #6 (and issues #1-5 while you’re at it) from your local comic shop!
Happy reading!