Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis’ Hyde Street are relatively new books, but they’ve won the spinoff with a cleverly crafted, creepy one-shot. The one-shot introduced the world to Miss Goodbody, a fitness guru whose treatment takes a rather terrifying shape. Hyde Street #5 focuses on missing out on Goodboy’s past life and shows what happened to her before she came to Hyde Street.
Just as Johns used Hyde Street #4 as an commentary on Hollywood’s Golden Age, and how it wasn’t “golden” for the actor that made a hole in the role, Hyde Street #5 is a takedown of 80’s dining culture. This issue shows Miss Goodbody literally opens up screaming in the reader’s face and trying to push her client Trisha into the workout. “Move or Die!” Miss Good Body Barks – “Die” a fiery screed under Robley’s letter. In Trisha’s case, this turned out to be very literal and horrifying.
But equally frightening is the fact that Miss Goodboy refuses to take responsibility for her actions. Certainly, the sequence that follows reveals that her pursuit of perfection is rooted in some deep childhood issues, but that is not yet an excuse to push women until they die. It shows that she was a monster, even before she reached Hyde Street. Johns continues his way through the story slowly, introducing yet another mystical character, asking X-Ray to ask Goodbody for help in finding a way to get rid of the pranks. “There’s more in every story,” X-ray Intonens to one caption. Okay, but when do you get more of the underlying story actually?
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Hyde Street #5 shows the artist’s change as Francis Portela fills out for Reis. Portela defeats the general point of the character, maintaining Goodbody’s ominous smile and Mr. X-ray’s whimsical frame. He also has the talent to draw emotions. For a minute, Goodbody is shown in tears and striped mascara, the next one being distorted with anger as she attacks her fellow trainer. Brad Anderson also changes colours according to the scenery. The real world is bright and lively, but the world of Hyde Street has more subdued colours and shadows.
One of the issues I feel is that this problem lacked the horror aesthetic of Reis’ previous work. Every time Wraith draws Hyde Street, it really feels majestic. You know that the character inside is not human because of his artwork. Portella’s art is expressive, but not so scary. He is planning on bringing out the next issue, so hopefully it will change.
Hyde Street #5 reveals the story of Mr. Goodbody’s origins. Another greedy one-shot is in the works. This means that she doesn’t have a “die” on her “diet.”
“Hyde Street” #5 illuminates the spotlight of the series ‘Most Interesting Characters
Hyde Street #5
Hyde Street #5 reveals the story of Mr. Goodbody’s origins. Another enthusiastic one-shot is in the works. This means that even if you add “Die” to your “Die” it’s not finished yet.
Fan favorite Miss Goodbody focuses on the right tragic story.
New artist Francis Portala is whiz with facial expressions and emotion.
New residents of Hyde Street have been introduced, and more backstory promises.
Johns is still dragging out the main story, but at this point I’m a bit tired.
There is no pure horror vibe of previous issues.
