Not every superhero is as important as Batman or Superman but all superheroes should have an experience that differs from the next. “The Other History of the DC Universe” tackles those heroes on the fringes of DC head-on. Author John Ridley analyzes the history of DC characters without shying away from the skeletons in their closet. In the previous two issues, we have seen relationships fail, superhero teams dissolve, and masked vigilantes ending their careers. Ridley and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli’s attention to detail in finding all the small elements in these stories has led to some incredible comic book moments. These issues are so greatly researched that the comics even serve as a solid place to be introduced to new characters. While I have a good grasp on Katana’s backstory from other DC stories, I can’t wait to see her story in a greater context. The artwork in this title has also been great up to this point. I hope to see artists Giuseppe Camuncoli, Andrea Cucchi, Jose Villarrubia, and Steve Wands deliver another sobering story about the accomplishments and failures of an important DC hero.
Written by John Ridley
Layouts by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Finishes by Andrea Cucchi
Colored by Jose Villarrubia
Lettered by Steve Wands1983. Japan. Tatsu Yamashiro’s life has been taken from her. Her home, her children, her husband are all gone. With nothing left but a burning pain and the sword that stole her family from her, Tatsu begins a long journey of healing, self-discovery, agency, and rebirth. This is the story of Tatsu Yamashiro, the woman known to many as Katana-a hero who became more than the world ever intended for her, ultimately making a family of like-minded Outsiders who rally together for the common good amidst xenophobia and oppression. The long-awaited miniseries written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter John Ridley (12 Years a Slave, Let It Fall) and beautifully illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi continues to look at the mythology of the DC Universe as seen through the prism of DC Super Heroes who come from traditionally disenfranchised groups.
“The Other History of the DC Universe” #3 follows the footsteps of earlier issues in crafting the voice of a lead character with a tragic past. Tatsu Yamashiro’s background is fleshed out quickly with a dark and abrupt ending. Author John Ridley and artists Giuseppe Camuncoli and Andrea Cucchi cover decades of DC comic book history. We see all of Katana’s superhero outfits spread out across the different time periods the story covers. Most importantly, Ridley, Camuncoli, Cucchi and DC are not afraid to show Yamashiro’s character flaws. There are certain points in this issue where her connection to bloodlust makes readers almost terrified that she can’t be redeemed as a hero. This could have easily been a throwaway one-shot that covers Katan’s origin without breaking very much ground. Most other properties that Katana appears in are not devoted to fleshing out her backstory or tracking the changes in her continuity. DC has so many separate yet important characters who have a nasty habit of fading into the background of stories.
“The Other History of the DC Universe” #3 is told using small walls of narration across the pages. Readers get a really intimate feeling when one person is telling them a story spread out across their entire life. With so much ground and storytelling to cover it is remarkable that Ridley is able to go through the entire story without making the title feel bloated. Best of all, the moments of DC continuity that connect with her story are retold here using costumes and set pieces of the time. This is another huge artistic win for Giuseppe Camuncoli, Andrea Cucchi, and Jose Villarrubia. The team loads these important moments full of DC characters who were present at the time.
Due to the nature of the series, most readers would likely think “The Other History of the DC Universe” #3 is a showcase for the writing. However, the scant amount of prose allows for a lot of experimentation on the artistic front. I’m happy to report that Giuseppe Camuncoli, Andrea Cucchi, and Jose Villarrubia take advantage of the interiors to capture tense emotion. Each page in the series is laid out like a puzzle, showing readers the most important moments or visual aspects and then dissecting them through the narration. The relationship this title has to prose and artwork is fascinating. Giuseppe Camuncoli, Andrea Cucchi, and Jose Villarrubia take some of the most negative elements from the story and portray them on the page. For instance, there are multiple scenes where Katana feels hostile towards someone. In most cases, the person that she feels angry towards is plastered all over the page. The art adds to the conflict of the story and has a grand sense of ambition that deserves celebration.
My biggest takeaway from “The Other History of the DC Universe” #3 is the sense of adversity Tatsu Yamashiro struggles with throughout her life. When readers reflect on superheroes as a whole, the endless team affiliations and reboots leave broken people with damaged lives. I would argue that Katana’s history is not meant to be dissected as a whole but this project is willing to do so with a sense of depth that is simply beautiful. Yamashiro’s struggles to regain her life despite her battles with depression and isolation is one of the most intense reading experiences I have had this year. In addition to the beautiful art and writing, “The Other History of the DC Universe” #3 is a great way to get to understand the fundamentals of Katana. Ridley continues to characterize these heroes as people instead of people standing in the background of a panel. The best compliment I can give to “The Other History of the DC Universe” #3 is that it fully immersed me in the story and made me feel an incredible sense of empathy towards Katana.
Final Verdict: 9.0 – “The Other History of the DC Universe” #3 is an unflinching look back on the life of an important DC hero.
