Dial H #6

Why is The Embarrassed Pustule blocking Naked Woman?

My only wish after reading the last issue was that Nelson's dial be fixed by the time this issue began. It wasn't much of a wish, actually. Just an expectation that China would get on with the story without boring everyone with a few pages of Manteau fixing the stupid thing. I shouldn't have been nervous since China has shown that he can tell a wonderful story. This issue begins with Nelson taking orders from Manteau.

Nelson is currently housebound due to his being a stereotyped caricature.

Nelson doesn't get why Manteau won't let him out of the house like this, so she pulls out a photo album of all the identities she refused to use over her career. Either their powers were simply too disgusting or the costume embarrassed her (even under her Manteau mask and robes).

She transformed from a character from League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and was too embarrassed to be seen in public. Um, not that I blame her.

And on the next page, China takes a jab at Alan Moore.

Ouch!

Now I just want to see all of the identities that Manteau wouldn't use in public because they weren't politically correct! Don't tease me with a whole photo album full of wrong, China Mieville! I guess you just don't want to "put it out in the world" and be considered an insensitive pig. The football mascot redskin character was about as racist as you felt people could handle without upsetting them too much, I guess. I bet one of Manteau's rejects was a guy with a dick for a face!

Nelson and Roxie (that's Manteau's real name that I couldn't remember) currently only have the one dial so they're sharing it. Each day, one of them turns into a new identity and they watch the news and wait for reports of crimes or disasters.

Who cares what you look like? As long as you have a stunning personality.

Nelson just sits around most of the comic as Chief Mighty Arrow thinking about the past. Roxie knows more than anyone about the Dial and she doesn't know much. Some guy she mentioned in the past named "O" knows a whole lot more but she hasn't said much about him. She didn't know about Nelson's Dial sitting in the phone booth near his house until he activated so she suspects that the Dial's interfere with history when they arrive in our dimension or on our planet.

And they support themselves on the Superman III/Office Space scam.

Nelson's thoughts are interrupted by a news report of a hostage situation happening nearby. He's ready to take to the streets as Chief Mighty Arrow! Inukchuk! But his moment of glory quickly fades as he realizes Chief Mighy Arrow's trusty steed "Wingy" has arrived on the scene to take care of business.

And he takes them all out with precision aim! I wonder if Roxie has ever had to use that kind of power?

Eventually the news reports a costumed powerhouse rampaging through Littleville. People need help and that's when Nelson transforms back into himself. At the same moment, Roxie finds some information online that may lead them to another Dial. But before they can hunt it down, Roxie takes their current Dial because it's her turn. She transforms into some kind of mechanoid with a wrist watch made of a galaxy. And the issue is over.

Dial H #6 Rating: +1 Ranking. This is exactly the kind of issue that most of The New 52 needs once or twice a year but not many of them do it. A moment for the action to subside so the reader can spend some quiet time getting to know the characters and letting the characters become comfortable with their new situations. Poor Supergirl needed one of these stories for 13 comics but the creative team just kept throwing one battle after another at her. It wasn't until she did have time to stop and talk with Superman before finding her underwater fortress that the story really got interesting. This issue was really well done and nicely paced. And next issue, the search for a new Dial begins!