Review by Ian Keogh

Nemesis was one of Mark Millar’s first solo projects, and as high octane as it was, he eventually came to the conclusion he could have handled the concept of the world’s greatest costumed criminal a little better. Now we also have Nemesis Reloaded, which isn’t a continuation, but a redefinition using the same basic concept.

So, this remains Batman’s mirror image, a meticulously trained and prepared hands-on master of his craft who’s waited twenty years to enact revenge on the policeman who tracked and captured his parents, later sentenced to death for their crimes. Except policeman Joe Costello has risen to become mayor of Los Angeles. Millar’s always had an eye for the big moment and drops plenty of them into Nemesis Reloaded, so many spectacles in fact that you don’t have time to consider how improbable some of them are. Still, that’s the magic of superhero comics. Do you ever stop to consider how improbable Superman is?

Artist Jorge Jiménez has a far grittier style than his predecessor Steve McNiven and that also serves this reboot well. Nemesis gets his white suit dirtier than before, and the world he operates in looks grubbier and far more detailed. There’s also a greater visual personality to the people.

Of course, you’ve read the original Nemesis and figure you’ve got an idea where things are headed, and you’re right, it does direct down a certain path, but only with regard to the invincibility of Nemesis. Millar’s very keen to play up a backstory in mystifyingly irrelevant detail, and for a long time it seems a puzzling distraction despite a few neat touches, but it turns out that’s to set up Big Game, which may or may not be disappointing. Set it to one side and appreciate how neatly Millar ties the main course up. Disclosures here are undersold rather than waved in your face, and they’re perfectly pitched, even when you’re looking out for them. To draw attention to something in particular would be to spoil what’s been cleverly placed, but take our word for it.

Big ideas beautifully played out and expressively drawn are the order of the day for Nemesis Reloaded, and it’s followed by Nemesis: Rogues’ Gallery.