Earth 2: James Robinson, Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott, Alex Sinclair, Dezi Sienty, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Rod Reis

So my disappointment with Robinson’s Earth 2 story wanes a little with this issue. I actually did have a good time reading this one. The problem still exists, though, with the cheesy dialog. I mean it’s REALLY cheesy. And it just doesn’t make sense. These characters must be moving in slow-motion in order to say everything they’re saying while performing the actions they perform.

That’s honestly, though, the only frustrating part about this issue. Everything else I can pretty much get behind. These may be Golden Age characters, but this isn’t the Golden Age anymore. We don’t need comics that behave like Golden Age comics, and we definitely don’t need the explanatory, expository, overdone, cheesy, quip-a-minute dialog that came with them. I almost ate this issue because it smelled so much like cheese.

Anyway, we get a couple of really cool treats this time with the introduction and teasing of a few new characters working with the World Army. First, is a man named “Dodds,” who has a small strike force called “Sandmen” who all wear gas masks. Who else could this be but Wesley Dodds, the Sandman? That’s pretty awesome right there. Terry Sloan makes his return in this issue as a consultant for the World Council - a pretty sketchy development, I do think. There’s also mention of Ted Grant (aka Wildcat), Red Tornado, and Captain Steel (who I’m guessing is supposed to be Nathan Heywood, Citizen Steel, or one of the other Heywoods).

All of that…has me pretty damn excited. I really can’t wait to see these JSA heroes back in action and fighting together. So far, we have most of the major hitters with Atom, Flash, Hawkgirl, and Green Lantern…but I just can’t wait to see Dr. Mid-Nite, Dr. Fate, and our own Mr. Terrific back in action.

It was cool seeing Jay more “in it” than he has been, deciding to take on the giant sized Al Pratt, and his whole gung-ho attitude that Atom jokes about later. These were great moments, and I can’t help but think I’d be just like Jay if I suddenly discovered I was a “Wonder,” as this world calls superheroes. I’d be running around, yelling, “Yeah! I’m a hero! I’m gonna do all the good things!” I’m so lame.

The appearance of Terry Sloan was interesting, and I liked his disintegration gas. It seems a lot of what happens in this book reminds me of a Bond movie, what with all the crazy spy stuff with the World Army, and the gadgets and heroics. I dunno. Maybe I’m crazy, and creating weird parallels. I just like the feeling this issue gives, with the introduction of Commander KAAAAAAHN! and the rest of the World Army overwatch program. Sloan, though, is a madman, and I can’t imagine why the World Council would turn to him, even if Grundy, God of the Dead, is attacking Washington DC.

We’re left with a crazy cliffhanger that’s reminding me a lot of the two big superhero blockbusters that came out this year: Avengers, and Dark Knight Rises. Each of them had a nuclear weapon during the climax. That seems to be the go-to these days in terms of creating tension and edge-of-your-seat thrills. I’d like to see people come up with something else next time. Like I said in the Suicide Squad #0 review: there’s no real high stakes. Is James Robinson really going to write in the nuclear destruction of our nation’s capitol? Well…he did kill off Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman in his first issue…so maybe I should be worried here.

Earth 2 #5, the verdict: I have to say it’s coming back for me. This ish was a huge improvement over the last couple, in which I was disappointed. The dialog is still a crazy mess, but it was less so. There are several elements at play now, and they’re all coming to a head, which is exciting. Terry Sloan coming in is interesting, and I’m sure that’s going to lead to places that we won’t like, which is good, mind you. I LOVED the teasing of the other JSA heroes in this issue…and I think it’s awesome that they’re still around. Can’t wait to see them come back. Scott’s artwork is, as usual, really fantastic here…with less crazy facial expressions this time around. Even better is Sinclair’s color work. Everything is so distinct and perfect, and it makes for a very pretty-looking book. The main problem remains that everyone talks too much, and it’s all corny.

(Photo Source: Newsarama)

Earth 2: James Robinson, Nicola Scott, Eduardo Pansica, Trevor Scott, Sean Parsons, Alex Sinclair, Tony Avina, Travis Lanham, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Rod Reis

We get another old hero reintroduced in this issue, and the rampage of an iconic villain, who gets a major overhaul on his character and motivation. In fact, both of these characters are pretty different, from what I know. Which one do I think improved from this change, and which suffers? Let’s find out.

The issue begins with the birth of Al Pratt’s powers. Now, those unfamiliar will not know that Al Pratt was the original hero called “The Atom,” and eventually joined the JSA. He actually didn’t have superpowers, but was just a short tough guy until he gained super-strength and radiation resistance. Still, even after becoming super-powered, he never had size-changing abilities. That was Ray Palmer. So, it looks like the New 52 Atom will be an amalgam of preboot characters Al Pratt, Ray Palmer, and Pratt’s son, Damage, Grant Emerson. This, I think, is pretty interesting, and a welcome change for the character.

Solomon Grundy makes his big debut in this issue as well. He looks pretty different than before, despite the dead, white skin, and is actually pretty sentient. Instead of being relatively brainless, and always spouting his nursery rhyme (which I always liked), he’s this universe’s Avatar of the Gray, which is this universe’s version of the Rot. He constantly shouts about the Jade Knight, and the Green Knight, in reference to the new Green Lantern…which is apparently this universe’s version of the Avatar of the Green (Swamp Thing). He apparently doesn’t even go by “Solomon” Grundy, but just “Grundy.” That’s okay, honestly, but the way he mixes speaking somewhat intelligently with speaking about himself in the third person is a bit unattractive.

Jay has a bit of growth here, as well, when he finally gains his name of “The Flash.” It’s given to us really stupidly…but I guess I’ll take it. Jay hears someone he rescued say he thought he heard Jay say it to him. Seriously?

I have mentioned, so far, how much I liked the new character designs…and I have to say this DOES include Grundy. He looks like a psychotic butcher or something. Definitely a plus. Atom looks great too.

It looks like Atom’s ready to kick some Flash-and-Lantern-butt, which is kind of a bummer…as I’ve said before how I’m tired of in-fighting, but it looks like, since Atom’s with Earth 2’s World Army, it actually fits story-wise. 

The dialog has places where it just feels way too old-school and awkward. Especially the bit where Hawkgirl and Flash are talking about his speed powers and how his body creates a field to protect from air friction. How can Hawkgirl postulate about Flash’s powers like that without knowing one thing about him? It makes no sense.

But the art is very good. I’m definitely a fan of Scott’s art. Eduardo Pansica is also credited as penciller, but I’m not sure what parts he helped with, as everything looks very much like Nicola Scott’s work. The colors are fantastic as well. Just look at that opening page!

Earth 2 #4, the verdict: This book finally feels like it’s coming along, with all the characters finally coming together. We’ve now seen a lot of Hawkgirl, but we still don’t know a lot about her. The mystery of this character is definitely intriguing, and I can see myself going further through the series without finding much more about her. We do know, however, that she’s known as Kendra. Possibly Kendra Saunders, then. I do have to wonder to myself, though, how interesting is a Hawkgirl going to be without a Hawkman? Not to say that a female can’t carry on by herself, but these two had a very rich history. The “Justice League” cartoon seemed to do okay with just Hawkgirl, so we’ll see. It helps that she looks totally different from Hawkman.

(Photo Source: IGN)

Earth 2: James Robinson, Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott, Alex Sinclair, Pete Pantazis, Dezi Sienty, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Rod Reis

We’re getting into the thick of it, now. With the huge train explosion from last issue being something unexpected, we now suddenly see the scope and purpose of this new hero. We’ve known Alan Scott’s dramatic transformation was to be issue #3’s cover for a while now, and as soon as I saw that ring come out last ish, and then that bombing, I knew. I knew the ring would have a much greater meaning. A very nice touch, I might add. I would like to also say how I’m actually somewhat unfamiliar with Alan Scott’s original origin story…preboot and all. So I cannot say if this new telling is better or worse than how it used to be. All I know is that the Alan Scott Green Lantern’s power was magic-based, not Will-based. Here, it looks like this is Earth 2’s take on the whole “Green” entity that Swamp Thing is all about in the regular universe. This “Green” that inhabits Alan is the Earth’s energy, much like the Green in the other universe, for which Swamp Thing fights. This theory is given credence when we see things suddenly dying and rotting away, much like we do with the Rot in the other universe, but here it’s called the Grey, not the Rot. And we have an entity for the Grey as well…a really nice surprise, actually, that only sort of makes sense given the character’s known origin. Meanwhile, Hawkgirl and Garrick meet up and she tests him for an unknown reason. A problem I’m having with this book in this issue is that everyone’s being very, very cryptic. They’re speaking in riddles and saying, “Oh, don’t worry, you’ll get it eventually.” And I feel like the characters are talking directly to me, and not each other when they do this. If I were Garrick, I’d say, “No, actually. Tell me wtf.” Beyond that, the dialog seems really weird in this issue. In a few places, it’s very, very strange and hard to follow. Am I the only one who experienced this? It feels like there are a couple word balloons missing or something, especially in the panel where Garrick is shouting, “Trust you?!” at Hawkgirl. Beyond that, characters are taking uneducated leaps in guesswork at the characters and happenings around them, which doesn’t fit with the first two issues we’ve read so far. I guess, if anything, the dialog in this ish feels thrown together, or hastily constructed. Perhaps it’s an editing problem, I don’t know. The art, however, is fantastic (except that one panel of Alan, newly masked, where he says he understands) and it’s a real downer to have such wonderfully done art dampened by this weird dialog. I especially like the few splash pages we get, and I love the look of the Brett Booth-designed villain we see at the end. Green Lantern’s new costume looks pretty badass as well. I miss the cape, but oh well. I guess for newer, younger readers who are unfamiliar with the original Alan Scott, they may wonder why this GL has a cape, and the others don’t.

Earth 2 #3, the verdict: I’m still hopeful for this book. The first two issues were excellent. This one went down wrong, to be honest. Reading it, I just had a hard time understanding what some people were saying, and what they meant, and all that. It was really strange dialog throughout, on all characters. The tease for next issue is The Atom, which I’m psyched for. There’s also a character teased on the #0 cover of this series, who looks like he COULD be some kind of “Red Beetle” or something. I can’t tell, but I’m intrigued. What I like most about GL’s introduction here in this issue, though, is how he’s given 3 missions at once: he must find the bomber (likely an Alan Scott issue), fight the great evil that’s coming (more a GL thing), and now the Grey is rising to destroy him as a reaction to his coming into power. I think that’s pretty awesome that we’ve already set up so much for him.

(Photo Source: iFanBoy)

Earth 2: James Robinson, Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott, Alex Sinclair, Pete Pantazis, Carlos M. Mangual, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Rod Reis, Keith Giffen

Now that we’re done with the tragedies, so far, let’s get to some good news: MISTER TERRIFIC!! I’m not even going to bother not spoiling this one. I’m way too excited. I was really, really hoping for this development after Power Girl appeared in Mister Terrific, and Holt was sucked through his portal thingy. And it’s happened! It’s confirmed! Mister Terrific can now have the opportunity to rejoin his Justice Society team, and that’s truly exciting. I’m just really happy that I’ll get to continue to read one of my favorite heroes from the relaunch, despite the cancellation of his book. Right as he appears, though, a dude named Terry Sloan greets him and attacks him with his own t-spheres. This is interesting…and I’m curious to see where this goes. We’re not shown much else. And, am I supposed to know this Terry Sloan from the preboot? In any case…look, Jay is talking to a Roman god! Yeah, Mercury is dying…the last of the Gods…and he must bestow his power unto a man worthy of being a hero. Mercury sees Jay as that hero and gives him the speed of gods. I really like his redesign with the costume and all, it keeps with the traditional look for the most part. But I have to admit I think the helmet looks really bulky and kinda dorky. Brett Booth did a slight modification on it in a sketch he did of Jay, and I prefer the more angled look he gave it. We also learn in this issue more about the new government and police force of the world since the fall of the heroes five years ago. It’s interesting, this world police, but it kind of pales in consideration to the fact that this is the issue that reveals that new gay DC character that was all over the news. They made such a big stink about it and it really did feel like a stunt meant to call attention to the fact that they were doing this. Well, it’s Alan Scott. Not what I had expected, but, in retrospect, it was kind of obvious. I don’t mind what they did with that, because gay characters don’t bother me. What I mind is how they went about it. But in any case, we get to meet Alan’s boyfriend, and something pretty important happens between them by the end of the issue…right before something else that, I can already foresee, will be a major driving force in Alan’s character. The setup is kind of obvious on that one. Right on the last page there. We also get the sudden appearance of another hero that will be featured in future issues of this title…and she looks fantastic. Really excited for next issue.

Earth 2 #2, the verdict: Still a really good series so far. I’ve not really been disappointed yet. I love seeing the original Flash back in action, and it’s fun watching Jay learning to cope with his new speed powers. Though, to be honest, I kind of thought him having a parkour thing was a bit forced. Almost like trying to make him cooler for new audiences. I mean, it might have been easier to accept if it had been shown before his speed powers that he did parkour. At the same time, though, I have to say how I’m really excited to see a more acrobatic speedster in Jay, because of his parkour. That, coupled with all the other big changes we’ve seen so far, gives us a very good idea of how different this Earth 2 is going to be from past versions.

(Photo Source: SpeedForce.org)

Earth 2: James Robinson, Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott, Alex Sinclair, Dezi Sienty, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Rod Reis, Bryan Hitch, Paul Mounts, Andy Kubert

Well here we go, folks. I had called it, way back when they were releasing Huntress and The Ray. It’s Earth 2…the parallel world that mirrors our own so well. However, the cover of the issue clearly states: “A different world! A different destiny!” And, by the end of this issue, that’s more than perfectly clear. Fan favorite James Robinson takes the helm here with another favorite, Nicola Scott, on pencils. An extremely talented team right there. The rest of those working this title have all proved themselves on other great books, too. The artwork is astounding…with some really great moments that not only make your heart soar, but also crush every hope you’ve ever had. Right away, we’re thrown back into the terror of the Apokolips parademons. Only, this time, they’re led by Steppenwolf…who commits some extremely atrocious acts in this issue. Part of that whole “crush all your hopes” thing I mentioned. But that’s not all…we are dealt several devastating blows throughout the issue. Some of these lead into another of the brand new Second Wave books: World’s Finest. I never thought the series would start this way, with all this heartache and pain. It takes guts to pull that off, and Robinson’s got them. What’s also really exciting about this issue is the reintroduction of Alan Scott, the original Green Lantern, and Jay Garrick, the original Flash. I’m still on the fence about Scott, but he appears to be a really important media icon and philanthropist - or maybe just a really wealthy business owner. I might be drawing too similar a line to Bruce Wayne with his character right now. I don’t know for sure yet. Garrick, I think, is great. He comes off as this recent college grad who’s somewhat of a loser…at least according to his girlfriend, Joan, who’s in the middle of breaking up with him when we meet him. I think it’s awesome that this great hero could come from such a nothing beginning. But we won’t have long to wait to see what he becomes as he’s suddenly visited by none other than Mercury. Yeah, that Mercury. And guess what? He’s wearing a silver helmet.

Earth 2 #1, the verdict: Absolutely incredible. Once I was finished, I kept re-reading it to make sure I had seen and read everything correctly. I mean…it was a LOT to take in. I couldn’t believe half of it. The reintroduction of the characters was really great, and I’m excited to see the continuing adventures of those who stick around, Jay especially. He practically started the whole speedster legacy…and I’m pumped to see how he decides to live up to his own legend.

(Photo Source: Borg.com)

Superman: George Perez, Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott, Brett Smith, Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, Jesus Merino, Tanya & Richard Horie, Rob Leigh, Brian Buccellato

Supergirl! She arrives to save the day, or rather save Mr. McCoy. She’s horrified by Superman’s destructive and violent actions in the last issue (she must’ve read it too), and has come to tell him off. She originally wanted to ask about the Superboy clone, but they never get that far. Instead, they get to beating each other’s faces in. But, apparently, the Superman fighting Kara isn’t Superman. It’s some kind of copy…while the real Superman is up in orbit, covered in little black dots. There’s a psychic link between the two Supermans, and we discover where the faux-hero came from. It goes back to Action Comics’ current plotline, with the Collector of Worlds. There was a civilization of tiny nanobots that were about destroyed aboard the Collector’s ship. When Clark shows up, he takes some Kryptonian battle armor, which becomes his Superman costume, on which is a tiny stowaway. So, technically, this is all Clark’s fault. Superman and Supergirl continue to throw down while Metropolis watches in horror. Supergirl’s almost at the end of her rope when Superman - the REAL Superman - swoops in suddenly to save her. We get a total explanation of the previous aliens that came in issues before (thank GOD), and a Kryptonian battle worthy of the record books. Superman also gains the support and approval of Supergirl, which is great. But it looks like something else is coming on the horizon, of course, as we prepare for the next arc with the new creative team. Though there are a lot of credits on this issue, don’t let that deter you. It actually doesn’t affect the book as a whole, because the other team is working strictly on page 23, the last page. The art is still fun…I love Scott’s pencil work, and (other) Scott’s inks. And look at how them, combined with Smith’s colors, make the Kryptonian armor suits shine! So nice.

Superman #6, the verdict: Finally done with the first arc. It feels like it’s been going on forever. Granted, it has been going on since the first issue…but still. It’s really cool to see how it all happened, and get the explanation at last. Because that was pretty confusing. Though I like how intricate it was, and how in depth it took the characters involved. It was cool seeing the other Metropolis characters interact, and how they handle these incredible situations. To me, that’s one of my favorite parts to this new “Superman” series: the point of view on Superman’s actions of Metropolis and the media. Media has played a crucial part in this book so far, and, with the change in staff, I hope things don’t change in that manner too much. To next month!

(Photo Source: Evil Squirrel Comics)

Superman: George Perez, Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott, Brett Smith, Rob Leigh, Brian Buccellato

Looks like I’m really behind on this title. Sorry about that. Here’s what’s great about Perez’s Superman book: it’s very much as much about Superman as it is about the people and city of Metropolis. I love getting the other angles on the situation as Superman fights his foes. The news coverage, and how Lois and the other reporters scramble to get the best view and information on what’s going on with Superman. In this issue, Superman starts absorbing all the alien energy of fire, ice, and invisibility that he’s faced in the previous issues…and then he goes bad. He starts SUPER guarding the city, removing threats and eliminating questionable security measures that Metropolis has employed without any regard for human life. Included in his supposed casualties is the giant gorilla Titano, who appeared in a very old Superman coloring book I used to have. In my coloring book, Superman used a calliope-like instrument to play music to lull him to sleep. In Superman #5, he seemingly destroys Titano with heat vision. We don’t see it, so it’s possible that Titano somehow survives. If not, it’s kind of sad that he literally only lasts three panels in DC’s new universe. Television host McCoy starts speaking out against Superman’s new behavior, and Superman attacks him, and drops him off the Daily Planet. Although…we get a surprise guest to save him at the end. It also looks like Lois may know Superman’s identity. Am I disappointed? A little. I think it’s WAY too early to have that happen. What’s going to happen to all the fun we’ve seen before with Superman and Clark having to sneak around Lois and fool her at every turn? I love those situations. Hopefully something happens that will make her deny her suspicion. I’m looking forward to when Superman and Clark Kent play around with Lois and Lois’s boyfriend John or whoever-the-hell in trying to convince them that they’re not the same person. I love Nicola’s pencils on this series, and it’ll be sad to see her go in a couple issues. Series colorist Brian Buccellato has also left, being replaced by Brett Smith. Luckily, Buccellato’s still coloring the covers. Speaking of the cover…LOOK AT THIS ONE! I got to hang out with Brian at a signing for the release of Superman #6, and he was hand-coloring the black-and-white variants for this #5 issue. It was a serious treat to see (especially since that variant is about twice as big as the normal cover). That guy is seriously talented. Smith is doing a great job on the interiors, too, and I still have yet to see if he’s sticking around after the change in the creative team on #7. But, so far, so good.

Superman #5, the verdict: I’ve been liking this series, though it’s become kind of weird with the focus on these alien superpowers. I’m not sure where it’s going, and what it means with all these aliens. Though the surprise ending to this issue is a real big hint as to what’s REALLY going on. I’m not sure what’s going on with Superman, and what the point of all this is, but I’m looking forward to a super-smackdown next issue. Time to start reading the other Super family books, if you aren’t already.

(Photo Source: Comic Vine)