Spoilers Ahead
Lobo #4 brings us a matchup between Supergirl and the Last Czarnian, just in time for the big summer blockbuster movie set to come out later this summer! After getting his bounty hunter license back, Lobo is back on the prowl and gets an assignment to break into the Fortress of Solitude… well, sorta. But before Lobo can complete his mission, Kara, or as Lobo calls her, Kar-en, comes in to ruin the fun. Lobo #4 gives us a pretty interesting look at the dynamic between a Kryptonian and the Czarnian. Could Superman be making an appearance soon?
As fun as this series has been, it still feels disjointed, with no single narrative or common thread to bring it together. I thought this would be the issue where the story finally got on track; however, the very ending reveals that it will continue in a special-edition Supergirl Summer title, not in the pages of the Lobo series. I feel like a unique story was left on the table about something we don't yet know. Whether it is worth it remains to be seen. Fortunately, there has been one consistency across the four issues: the art by Ka. Their “DIY” style art adds this “junkyard” look to this world, which has been a brilliant companion to this version of Lobo. Ultimately, Lobo #4 was a fun read, but it left us wanting a more concise story.
I Dont Know Where We Go From Here After Lobo #4
Your guess is as good as mine as to where this Lobo series is headed next. Once you think that a story idea is going to take off, it comes to a complete stop, and something new happens. Even after four issues, I don't know exactly what Skottie Young's ultimate goal is. For now, we have to take each issue on its own, and if that is the point, then Lobo has been a success. If this is supposed to get us somewhere, I don't see the road there… yet. That uncertainty is what makes it so hard to see what is coming next in this series. In that way, it feels so Lobo.
It was nice to see Kara in the pages of Lobo, and regardless of whether or not Supergirl is going to be part of the story moving forward, it was good to see her in Lobo #4. The dynamic Lobo has with any and all Krptonians is always exciting, so I'm hoping we get to see Clark Kent in this series sometime soon. We’ve already seen Aquaman and Supergirl, so Superman wouldn't be that far-fetched.
The World Building Has Been Immaculate
This version of Lobo, while having some shortcomings throughout the narrative, is a very palatable version of the character. That is why the story's narrative—or lack thereof—is so frustrating for Lobo. However, we will have time to talk about that. I want to talk about this fantastical world that Skottie Young, Jorge Corona, and Jean-Francois Beaulieu have built. All of the elements that emanate from this world create total chaos, and I really, REALLY, enjoy that. In Lobo #4, the world continues to mirror ours, but in a funhouse-mirror way. A knockoff “Fortress of Solitude" for tourists? That sounds like something a CEO would do in this very real universe. Parody is the best way to discuss current events.
The dynamic and chemistry of Lobo and Kara were great. Skottie Young wrote them to be almost like siblings fighting over the remote control—or the tablet for younger readers —and that is exactly what I expect from Lono and the Kryptonians. I have (and will continue to) complain about the lack of a thread that pulls all of these issues together. One little thing that has come across is that Young’s Lobo is likable. I know most anti-heroes are, even if they are huge douche bags, but there is something endearing about this version of Lobo that I really enjoy.
Like A Thousand Piece Puzzle, I Cant Put It Together
The story for Lobo just can't seem to gain any momentum, and it feels like each issue is its own story. Lobo #4 had a promising start, as the Bounty Hunter finally got his new work permit reissued; however, the end of the issue ended with a promo for a book outside of the Lobo series--a special-edition Supergirl Summer title. As I mentioned before in what I actually liked about the series, I do like the chaotic nature of Lobo; however, the story suffers from the sporadic start-and-stop narrative.
There is always a lot of grace, at least from me, when someone is trying to write humor. I personally think that humor is the hardest thing to write well. There is a sense of uncertainty and directionlessness in this character, and it's unclear exactly where Skottie Young wants to go with Lobo. Even though his speech is inconsistent. The dialogue in Lobo #4 got very repetitive. How many words does Lobo not know? Apparently, it's a lot of them. Lobo’s vocabulary, or lack thereof, was mentioned a good three or four times, and it was funny the first time, not so much the next four.
So while these elements don't necessarily overshadow my overall enjoyment of Lobo, I do think they hinder the creative team's potential.
The Art Rocks
The art is so busy and chaotic, but I love that about Lobo #4. It fits so perfectly with this version of Lobo and this universe they are building in, the pages of this series. Almost every inch of the book is covered with Jorge Corona’s art, and it reminds me of graffiti you find on the side of passing-by trail carts, which is a compliment. I don't know how to explain it, but it makes me feel like I'm listening to an old Descendants record from the 1980s. It makes me feel all warm and cuddly inside. Jean-Francois Beaulieu's coloring is the perfect companion for Corona’s art. I complement it with his dull tones. However, when someone like Supergirl comes around, those duller colors are in sharp contrast to sharper colors, which fits the character.
But besides the business of the art, there is a method to all of the madness. For example, the fight sequence between Lobo and Kara is a beat-by-beat, easy-to-follow sequence that takes up space but also shows how equal the two are in terms of fighting and powers. The fighting scene is cinematic and lets the reader get lost in those pages, while we forget what the rest of the book is about. Regardless of my complaint about this book and series as a whole, the art has been spectacular and has not let me down.
Final Verdict
Lobo #4 was an overall fun experience, but it still falls short of delivering a cohesive, continuous story. Supergirl’s appearance was a great addition to this version of Lobo’s universe, even if it was only a one-off situation. Even without a concise story throughout the first four issues of this series, the characterization of Lobo remains a highlight in every issue, and Lobo #4 was no exception. Lobo and Kara’s back-and-forth reminded me of my youth, dealing with my younger siblings as the oldest, and that is what I expect between Czarnians and Kryptonians.
There is still enough to make me excited to pick up Skottie Young’s Lobo; however, time is running out to get a more cohesive story on track. The end goal, or even the purpose, of this series has yet to be revealed, which ultimately brings a fun and unique vision down a few notches. Hopefully, that changes with the next issue; until then, Lobo #4 works better as parts rather than as a whole.