Motor Crush #6 Review
Writers: Brenden Fletcher, Babs Tarr, Cameron Stewart
Art: Cameron Stewart
Colors: Babs Tarr, Heather Danforth
Lettering: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Image Comics
Review by Greg Brothers
A little less than a year ago I was excited to see what Motor Crush was going to be all about, as “Team Batgirl” had left the series with the Rebirth relaunch. While I was disappointed to see them leave the series, the idea of a creator-owned series was intriguing. I mean, a professional motorcycle league with elements of illegal night street racing? Who would not be sold?
Of course, once Motor Crush started it was obvious that as intriguing as the idea sounded, there was much more to the series. Elements of the racing league, and the night racing were there. But quickly we found out that Dom had some mysteries that she was hiding, while her dad Sully had some secrets of his own.
Finally, after a few months break, Motor Crush #6 is back to hopefully start to answer some of the mysteries, while creating what is sure to be more questions and intrigue.
Motor Crush #6 opens with a flash back as Sully and Dom, who is around 10 I would guess, are on their way to visit a family friend. Quickly we find out that the family friend Juli knows about Dom’s condition and has been trying to develop ways to fight the ailment. While trying to help Dom and help the city grow, Sully has made his way onto the wrong side of some very shady characters that do not take kindly to people who do not do what they want.
With the return of Motor Crush #6, very few of the questions from the first five issues are directly answered. Instead, the writing team focuses on going back to give more of a foundation of what type of person Sully, Dom, and a few of their friends truly are. The focus on Sully was much needed, and the end of Motor Crush #6 provides a new depth to Sully that had been missing from the first five issues. The choices he makes throughout show the loyalty he has towards his friends and family no matter the personal loss he may endure.
Seeing Domino as a tween and then as a fresh faced eighteen-year-old confirms that the confidence that she exhibits is not something she has developed. Instead, it is something that even as a pre-teen she exhibited in many ways as she watched other racers take on dangerous hills. It is a small detail, but it is a detail that is important for how the current-day Domino is written.
While Sully and Domino’s background are explored, it is the introduction of two new characters that have the biggest impact in moving the story forward. Juli’s story answers the question While Koichi’s story helps to establish Sully’s loyalty to his friends. It is characters like them and Lola that really add depth to the story and make it exciting and interesting.
Tarr’s colors throughout the series have been bright and trippy at times. Here, in Motor Crush #6, the colors are still bright, but they feel subdued compared to other issues. It is a minor detail, but it fits as the entire book takes place in the past, before the bright lights and fast-moving pace of the WPG moved in. Character designs are spot on as the younger versions of the characters match what we have come to know.
Verdict
Buy it! From the beginning I have been on board with the series. However, Motor Crush #6 shows that this creative team knows how to world build and create characters that are deep and entertaining. The look back allows readers to ease back into the universe, while answering a couple of questions and setting up the paths for future stories. Team Motor Crush continues to tell remarkable stories with great characters. If you have not been reading the series yet, now is a wonderful time to start as Motor Crush #6 continues a streak of exceptional storytelling.
