“Nailbiter” #7 hits it clean out of the park this week with an enthralling homage to Bendis and Oeming’s “Powers.” Although I am a very new fan of Powers, starting it all last month in prep for NYCC, as soon as I heard the news about this issue I was over the moon. You’ll notice the text on the cover reading “Guest-Starring Brian Michael Bendis”, this isn’t some issue co-written by Bendis or something along those lines, no. Bendis truly does guest as himself in the Nailbiter world, just like Warren Ellis did way back in Powers vol.1 issue #7. He’s working on a new comic and wants to interview a few people around town about all the serial killers.
WRITTEN BY: Joshua Williamson
ART BY: Mike Henderson
PUBLISHER: Image Comics
PRICE: $2.99
RELEASE: Nov 5, 2014
Reviewed By Torin Chambers
Although this issue is primarily about Bendis and his interactions with the citizens of buckaroo this is not a one off like last month. The overarching Nailbiter plot continues to push forward with the developments introduced at the end of issue #5 being the main ones. The way Bendis just happens to randomly be eavesdropping on Finch is altogether too convenient and feels contrived. That’s by far the weakest part of this issue and sticks out like a sore thumb in comparison to how excellent the rest of it is. After Bendis hears his fill of exposition he takes off to explore the rest of town in another beautiful tribute to Powers. Bendis’ attempts at interviewing the citizens of buckaroo are depicted exactly like an early issue of Powers where the main characters are also conducting interviews, only with super heroes.
The scene just get better and better as the book continues on. Bendis ends up eventually finding a willing interviewee, a grown sibling of one of the serial killers. It’s incredibly intriguing having someone speak frankly about how it has impacted their life and their family. It also continues to demonstrate that everyone is a little off in Buckaroo. Which makes me think there’s something about that that Williamson just hasn’t begun to touch on. Is Buckaroo situated on some sort of Hellmouth or poisoned by a demonic presence?
The definite highlight of the issue is Bendis’ interaction with Warren who turns out to be a huge comic book fan. They have a compelling discussion about how Warren believes they are alike. Each has killed in their own way and it connects them somehow in Warren’s twisted mind. The conversation also takes place in a playground with carefree children running around and has a certain tension that’s just superb.
“Nailbiter” #7 is special, it’s a love letter to Powers and Bendis while still maintaining that thrilling and unsettling Nailbiter feel.
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Torin Chambers is a rad dude from the nineties who does film stuff or something. Thomas the Tank Engine is his favorite transformer. Find him on Twitter @TorinsChambers