Quantum and Woody #5
Written by James Asmus
Illustrated by Ming Doyle
Colors by Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by Dave Lanphear
Covers by Andrew Robinson, Lee Garbett, David Lopez, and Mike McKone
Valiant Entertainment
Release Date: November 6, 2013
Cover Price: $3.99

James Asmus continues writing duties for Quantum and Woody #5 along with illustrator Ming Doyle and colorist Jordie Bellaire. Fresh off their first adventure, the two misfit brothers who’ve accidentally gained super powers are taking on life together — and this time they’ve brought a pet goat along for the ride!

Upon realizing that the bracelets Eric (secretly the superhero named Quantum) and Woody both wear force them to rejuvenate their powers every 24 hours or else they’ll perish, the brothers put aside their differences and move in together. Unfortunately for Eric, Woody — acting like an immature child as always — invites a beautiful clone of the evil scientist who killed their father to live with them. The two men soon begin to grasp the notion that having powers is quite the adjustment. Meanwhile, there are blatantly evil happenings going on all over the city and someone very close to Eric wishes to take advantage of his new found abilities.

I fell in love with Asmus’s writing in the first arc. He does a great job at conveying heartfelt emotion at precise and poignant moments, while at the same time offering a lot of humor. He doesn’t make it easy for his protagonists, and he delves into an idea that is rarely touched in the genre with such efficiency: how others might use someone with powers for their own personal gain.

I also am enjoying the new artistic style in Quantum and Woody #5. Doyle’s first shot at the characters offers a realistic approach with detailed features and plenty of shadowing, yet still fits nicely with the mixed tone of the book through the character’s movements and close-up angles.

Only my second foray into the Valiant world, Quantum and Woody #5 is my favorite title thus far. It’s a funny, smart, and exciting comic and I can’t wait to see what sort of hijinks the brothers…and clone…and goat (did I mention there’s a goat?) will get into next.