Lois Lane (2019) #5, p.21

Can never have enough black on a page, as far as I'm concerned.  Even more fun with an artist who knows how to use it.  Dramatic and powerful page.

I've always told people that if they want to know when a given page is masterfully composed, the best way to know is by looking at the thumbnail before clicking on it. When you can look at a thumbnail and you can pretty clearly make out what's going on without needing to click, that's precisely when you SHOULD click and take a closer look because it's likely going to be at least a nice as you think it appears in the thumbnail.

I won't go into what I love about both of these sequential pages, because you've already covered it all yourself in your description and frankly speaking, you're a better wordsmith than I am. But I will say that had I allowed myself to go crazy buying pages from this series, this was one of the obvious choices of "scenes/sequences" I would've picked up. But I'm even more happy to see the pages in the collection of someone who sees exactly what I see in the art and is equally moved by it!

You are 100% spot on, Ruben.  My own method of picking out a page is similar to the course of action you recommend; I usually do a "quick skim" and pay very close attention to what resonates after an almost cursory glance, then I swing through for another, more detailed "scouting pass".  Invariably, I find the ones that grabbed me that first time through also impress me most the second time.  Not always, but a consistently high percentage of the time.

Thank you for your very kind words, Ruben (and all!) and for helping me add this incredible sequence to my collection.  They get far more than a cursory glance now, let me tell you. :)

Your analysis of this page is top-notch, so I'll just add that I really like this version of the Question, and DC should pay Perkins whatever he wants to do a revival of Gotham Central because he would kill it on that type of book.

The smoky quality of that light, as it eats at the darkness, and leaves the gray inky wash at the edge, is just beautiful. That panel could be a splash or painting of its own. Gorgeous sequence, Jason. Congrats!

Thank you, J H, and I completely agree; quite probably my favorite image from any single page I have.  Your description gave me goosebumps: "the smoky quality of the light, as it eats at the darkness...". I wish I would have said that! :)  Thanks for the great comment, J H (and everyone)!

I am not sure what impresses me more, the art or your description. Congrats on both.

Harry, thank you for your very, very kind words.  Trust me - the page is more impressive. ;)  Thank you.

Terrific!  Love the mood Perkins achieves in these pages

That's a LOT of inks but it really sets the mood, doesn't it?

I really enjoyed Montoya becoming the Question, a surprising move that was handled well at the time and made sense. Her absence of face is really haunting here.

Great page with, again, a very strong writer ;)

The "smoky light" as you guys put it is also very evocative of The Question (Dr. Rodor's gas). Great effect to really make this otherwise really dark page sing.