Main Writer: Tom Peyer

Main Art: Peter Krause, Andy Troy, Paul Little, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Rob Steen, and Jamal Igle

Additional Writers: Matt Brady, Tyrone Finch, and Stuart Moore

Additional Art: Joe Orsak, Ted Woods, and Thomas Napolitano

Publisher: AHOY COMICS

Release Date: February 12th, 2020

Price: $3.99

After Devil Man’s Temptatronic Brainwashing Beam (yup… one of those) caused Dragonflyman to have an aversion to physical combat, our Hornet-based Hero tries to discover solutions to what ales him. Meanwhile on Earth -Omega, something has drastically fractured Dragonfly and Stinger’s relationship. Stinger is even willing to go through some drastic measures in order to distance himself from the steadfast Dragonfly. Let’s fly into this issue of DRAGONFLY AND DRAGONFLYMAN #4 by Tom Peyer and see if any of these problems can be rectified.

Readers, I continue to find myself more interested in Earth-Omega each week. However, we continue to get less and less narrative around the tension between Stinger and Dragonfly. Ironically, which you’ll see what I mean as you read the issue, there simply appears to be something brewing under the surface between the dynamic relationship between Stinger and Dragonfly on Earth-Omega. Devil Man’s toxin may have been enough to send Dragonfly into a rage two issues ago BUT that wouldn’t be enough for this sidekick to lose his $&@$ as he has for the past two issues.

My point; I wish Tom Peyer would give us more details between this budding relationship on Earth-Omega. Fans can feel the tension building to something big. Personally, I think it’s leading to Stinger’s demise. To anyone that followed THE WRONG EARTH by Tom Peyer, you’d remember that the original Stinger wasn’t there. Maybe this is the story as to his tragic end? And will Dragonfly become the real villain of the story on Earth-Omega? It’s leaning that way now. But, we shall see. Nonetheless, this reviewer is holding out hope for more of the next issue centered around the Omega relationship.

As for Earth-Alpha, the hokey (in a good way), over the top, hum-drum style of Dragonflyman continues to be fun and entertaining. The far fetched gadgets, reasoning, and pathetic police department are wildly humorous and make for a ridiculous parallel to the Earth-Omega gritty tale. All Peyer appears to be missing on this Earth is the overuse of onomatopoeia during climactic fight scenes! Additionally, this Earth appears brighter, more colorful, and virtually glamorous compared to Earth-Omega’s more earthy and realistic tone.

Peyer flourishes in Earth-Alpha and readers can see the love he has for this story more so than Earth-Omega. Peyer piles on the cheese and heaps on mounds of would be overacting if this was a live-action TV show or series. Peyer, like many comic lovers growing up in the ’70s and ’80s living off the BATMAN 66’ re-runs, has fallen in love with this style and it shows through with the silly and extravagant nature that is Earth-Alpha. However, as entertaining as this Earth can be, I hope Peyer doesn’t lose track of the more interesting narrative developing in Earth-Omega. In this reviewer’s humble opinion, the real story is there. Sure, the fun and almost slapstick story lie in Earth-Alpha but the more memorable and impactful tale is waiting for us in the gritty story to be unearthed between Stinger and Dragonfly.

FINAL THOUGHTS

Altogether, Peyer continues to impress by giving readers two takes on a vigilante crime fighter that is near and dear to every comic fan’s heart. As much as the character portrayals of the Earth-Alpha counterparts continue to be satirically nostalgic, ironic, quirky, and oftentimes hilarious, the Earth-Omega dynamic duo appears to be growing and maturing into something dark, almost eerie, and unsettling. Again, something is brewing and this fan wants more of that story. Hopefully, Peyer will dive a bit deeper into that story next issue, which is the most riveting aspect of the series to date in my opinion. Overall, Peyer continues to write a well written, easy to follow, and hard to forget story that’s well placed and creatively gets the characters involved. I highly recommend taking a chance on this series, grabbing the issue, and really having some fun with this story. The vibes oozing out of this series of two of the most iconic portrayals of a certain winged-rodent vigilante are uncanny. Snag a copy. You’ll be glad you did!

8.2/10