Last Week’s Comics 9/7/2011
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Flashpoint #5
(DC – writer: Geoff Johns; art: Andy Kubert)
After five issues, we still don’t get a clear explanation?!? Flashpoint ends like a garbage bag full of human fat hitting the sidewalk. It’s messy, stinky and it just leaves you feeling a little ill afterwards.
It became evident that Flashpoint was going to be DC’s way of ushering in their new lineup of heroes. This included altering the current versions of DC mainstays like Batman and Superman, but it also allowed for the insertion of both WildStorm and Milestone characters.
By the time I got to this issue, though, I was just so annoyed that I had to read through it see how the universe would be altered. Well, it turns out we don’t really get that answer here. Geoff Johns is known for his grandiose writing and epic visions. His work on both Sinestro Corps War and Blackest Night set the action/adventure bar in comics. Those stories were immensely well written and clearly defined the aftereffects in the DC Universe.
Flashpoint, however, feels weak in comparison. Looking at the final page, one would think this story was supposed to be about the friendship between Barry Allen and Bruce Wayne, not an attempt to reboot the DC Universe for a newer generation of comic book readers. Johns built up Superman’s importance in this alternate universe, and then he barely makes an appearance. Even his return in this issue is short-lived (it lasts ONE page).
Furthermore, the resolution is way too neat. Johns never leaves his epic series without having a few loose threads, things that will open up new storylines or avenues that will be explored later. There’s nothing like that here. Everything seems to have wrapped up nicely, but without an explanation of the new timeline! When Barry returns, he’s wearing his new costume (as is Bruce), but neither one of them comments on this. My only hope lies in something Barry says to Bruce about the past: “I don’t know why or how, but I remember every single moment I spent with my mother in that timeline. I’m guessing it could be a temporal aftereffect or the result of chronal residue in my bloodstream.” So does this mean that Barry is going crazy? That his memories are going to be forever splintered between two universes? Will he eventually become like Eobard Thawne and make himself a living paradox? Or are we just to accept that everything worked out fine, and by the way, here’s a brand new DCU?!?
Maybe Johns wanted Flashpoint to originally be seven issues but was forced to compress it. Maybe he was forced to make this a transition piece rather than a story about The Flash. I don’t know exactly who’s to blame, but someone needs to be spanked for this.
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Justice League #1
(DC – writer: Geoff Johns; art: Jim Lee)
Bannen’s Book of the Week: Where Flashpoint is Johns’ weakest writing to date, Justice League feels more in line with how he usually writes. While we haven’t yet met every character in the League, Johns does enough with those in this issue to let readers know their favorite heroes are in good hands.
The story is set five years in the past, so we’re seeing the first meeting of Batman, Green Lantern and Superman. The world is still getting used to superheroes (as is referenced by a few fans at a football game). And while there isn’t much backstory, there’s enough story to give readers a very minor insight into this new world which we have stumbled upon. Even the characters feel fresh, and while there are minor alterations, they work well for creating an engaging world.
Bruce isn’t written as his usual brooding self. There’s more life to him, less anger and anguish and yet he still does very cool things (like remove Hal Jordan’s ring without him knowing). Hal is as cocky as ever, convinced that his ring gives him the abilities to do everything (except keep it on), and Superman’s arrival on the last page is so well-executed that it almost wipes clean the past few years of shitty writing. If anything, it’s made me very excited to see what else Johns has in store for Kal-El. There’s also a bit with Vic Stone (Cyborg), but we’re seeing him before he becomes a superhero, so I’m even more intrigued to find out how he eventually dons the metal.
Jim Lee’s art is sharp and colorful. With each new scene, he’s able to convey a different tone that is eye-pleasing and character-developing. Ivan Reis and Doug Mahnke are the experts when it comes to drawing Hal Jordan’s constructs, but Lee does a superb job on his own. His hero illustrations are phenomenal in this issue, and his Superman is easily one of the best ever put on paper. Props go to Alex Sinclair as well for his vibrant colors. Besides being deep in story, this is a visually stunning comic.
Lastly, we’re given a Darkseid tease (yay!). I’ve read in interviews that they’re rewriting him so he’s no longer a walking concrete wall (which is a shame), but from the way Johns writes these characters so far, I have complete faith in his work.
It’s strange to go from a book like Flashpoint that fell flat on so many levels to a book like Justice League, which is an entertaining (and visually incredible) read. The tone of this book and the character interactions in it bode well for the “New 52.” My only complaint is that the book jumped a dollar in price! What happened to “Drawing the line at $2.99”? I won’t complain too loudly, though. This book is worth the extra buck.
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